Abstract: An interferometer which may be used in a Fourier transform infra red spectrometer comprises a beam splitter (10), first and second fixed mirrors (18,26), path length variation means (20), and a folding mirror (16). The optical components are mounted on a casting (8) such that the beam splitter (10) and folding mirror (16) are arranged parallel to each other and the fixed mirrors (18,26) are attached to a single face of the casting in the same plane. The path length variation means (20) comprises two parallel opposed mirrors (22,24) which are rotatable to vary the length of the optical path between the beam splitter (10) and the fixed mirror (26).

Abstract: A depilation apparatus including a number of pinching discs (35) which are coupled to a drive shaft (7) in positions which are mutually rotated through 120.degree. about the drive shaft (7) is provided. Each pair of adjoining pinching discs (35) is pivotable under the influence of a compression member (83) into a pinching position in which two cooperating pinching surfaces (67, 63) exert a pinching force on one another. The pivot axis (113) of each pair of pinching discs (35) is determined by a stud part (55b) of a bipartite stud (55) of one of the two pinching discs (35) and by the mutually facing steps (41) of the two pinching discs (35). The cooperating pinching surfaces (67, 63) are supported on either side in the pinching position by the stud parts (55b) and (55a), respectively, of the bipartite studs (55) of the adjoining pinching discs (35), so that a substantially straight force transmission path is created in the pinching position.

Abstract: A collimator is described for a shielded effective point source of penetrating radiation, e.g. a radiotherapy machine which includes, after a primary collimator 16, a succession of a multileaf collimator 17, and a first and a second pair of independently adjustable block diaphragm leaves 30, 31, and 35, 36 at right angles to each other. By using rectilinear displacement of the multileaf collimator leaves 18 and the block diaphragm leaves 30, 31, a compact arrangement can be provided which fits into a standard RT collimator head. By curving the inner edges of the leaves to be tangential to the boundary ray an optimally reduced penumbra can be achieved. The block diaphragms enable the radiation leakage found in prior multileaf collimators to be minimized for small and off center irradiation patterns.

Abstract: A patient support system for irradiation therapy or treatment simulation comprises a main arm 1 on a sub-floor mounted pivot 10 about a first vertical axis 17, which supports a further arm 49 rotatable about a second vertical axis 16. At the other end of the arm 49 a vertical pillar 4, pivotable about a third vertical axis 15, supports a vertically displaceable carriage 3 on which a patient support table top 2 is directly mounted. A control system is described which enables x, y coordinate command values to control respective drives associated with the three vertical axes to position a patient quickly and accurately relative to the treatment isocentre.

Abstract: A patient support system for irradiation therapy or treatment simulation comprises a main arm 1 on a sub-floor mounted pivot 10 about a first vertical axis 17, which supports a further arm 49 rotatable about a second vertical axis 16. At the other end of the arm 49 a vertical pillar 4, pivotable about a third vertical axis 15, supports a vertically displaceable carriage 3 on which a patient support table top 2 is directly mounted. A control system is described which enables x, y coordinate command values to control respective drives associated with the three vertical axes to position a patient quickly and accurately relative to the treatment isocenter. The system requires only a shallow well while providing a large range of vertical lift. Furthermore, no sub-table x-y carriage is required increasing patient accessability.

Abstract: A radiology patient support system includes a single vertical pillar of rigid closed box construction in which the side walls form a continuous closed cross section which rigidly supports two vertically arranged longitudinal tracks with their lateral directions at a right angle. A vertically displaceable carriage also of rigid box construction, is provided with bearing rollers which respectively engage the tracks and effectively locate the carriage horizontally relative to the pillar. A patent support table top is mounted on the carriage.

Abstract: An optical assembly comprises an elongate hollow body (11) of triangular cross-section, having three deformable side walls which adjoin each other and at least one optical element (1). Inside the body the optical element is secured without play to each of the side walls at a well-defined location and in a well-defined position by rigid local connections (15).

Abstract: In a gamma radiography apparatus a gamma scintillation camera 1 with a rectangular scintillation plate is suspended so as to be counterbalanced and rotatable about a horizontal axis 44 for a single photon emission tomography, FIG. 1b. To enable a total body emission radiography scan to be carried out by the same apparatus, FIG. 2b, the head 1 must be turned through 90 degrees in plan view. This is effected in a compact manner by using an intermediate carrier formed by at least one of the arms 7 and 8, pivoted about a first axis 9 relative to the carrier 12. The head 1 is pivoted in the arms 7, 8, about a second axis 19 at 45 degrees to the first. A rotation of 180 degrees about both axes turns the camera field through 90 degrees.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a comparatively heavy exchangeable element there is provided a clamping device for the element with a bayonet coupling and with grips which can be folded down only after the bayonet coupling has been brought into an engaged position. When the grips are folded down, a spring is activated so that a locked clamping coupling is obtained.

Abstract: In a radiation apparatus an element, which is carried by a balanced suspension system, is to be positioned relative to an object. The element and a counterweight are carried by a parallelogram suspension system in order to increase the adjusting accuracy and the freedom of movement. In order to obtain a smooth, static movement, even during rotation of the entire suspension system, the positioning function and the supporting function of one of the pivotal supports are separated, each function being performed by a separate pivot.