Abstract: A method of measuring an accelerating voltage applied to an x-ray source to produce x-rays includes applying an accelerating voltage to an x-ray source to produce x-ray radiation having an axis; diffracting first and second portions of the x-ray radiation that are symmetrically disposed relative to an axis with a body of a single crystal material having a curved surface symmetrically curved relative to a central axis of the x-rays to produce two spectra of the x-ray radiation, each spectrum including continuous x-ray radiation having an end point energy at the maximum energy of the x-ray radiation; forming an image of the spectra of the x-ray radiation including respective end point energies; and measuring the separation of the respective end point energies of the spectra of the image and, thereby, determining the accelerating voltage applied to the x-ray source.

Abstract: A casing for x-ray cassettes for comfort of a patient during x-ray procedures, the casing being fabricated of a padded material with a surface that can be cleaned and disinfected, the casing being flat and generally square in configuration with corner handles for adjustment of the casing when used against a patient.

Abstract: X-rays enter an airtight chamber through a beam duct, pass through a transmission window, and expose a wafer and mask disposed outside the airtight chamber. The wafer and mask are held by a wafer chuck and a mask holder, respectively. The mask holder includes a pressure sensor, which detects variations in the atmospheric pressure. An output from the pressure sensor is converted into a change in the intensity of the x-rays by an arithmetic unit, and is transmitted to a control unit, which controls a driving unit of a shutter. By thus controlling the moving speed of the shutter in accordance with variations in the atmospheric pressure, it is possible to prevent variations in the amount of x-ray exposure of the wafer.

Abstract: A video system for use by a patient positioned in the bore of an MRI scanner includes a scope through which the patient can view a remote target area while a scan is being performed. A liquid crystal display system produces a color image at the target area which can be manipulated with a computer to perform MRI brain function experiments or tests.

Abstract: An x-ray radiator has an x-ray tube disposed in a protective housing and a fastening means having a portion attached to the x-ray tube inside the housing, and a portion which extends through the housing to the exterior of the housing. The exterior portion serves as a fastener to attach the x-ray radiator to a mount. The x-ray tube, within the housing, thus becomes directly attached to the exterior mount, which improves the precision with which the specified position of the central ray of the x-ray beam emanating from the x-ray tube can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of measuring an accelerating voltage applied to an x-ray source to produce x-rays includes applying an accelerating voltage to an x-ray source to produce x-ray radiation having an axis; diffracting first and second portions of the x-ray radiation that are symmetrically disposed relative to an axis with a single crystal material to produce two spectra of the x-ray radiation, each spectrum including continuous x-ray radiation having an end point energy at the maximum energy of the x-ray radiation; forming an image of the spectra of the x-ray radiation including respective end point energies; and measuring the separation of the respective end point energies of the spectra of the image and, thereby, determining the accelerating voltage applied to the x-ray source.

Abstract: A cassette of the kind used for holding sheets of film to be exposed during x-ray of a patient is coded so that an x-ray technician or operator can easily distinguish cassettes containing exposed film from those cassettes containing unexposed film. This is accomplished by color coding two adjacent side edges of the cassette with color different from the other side edges of the cassette.

Abstract: A device for marking cutaneous landmarks as a means of identifying under x-radiography pathological deep structures of the small bones of the foot that comprises affixing a radiopaque material to an adhesive tape and placing the radiopaque material over a cutaneous landmark on a patient's foot and then x-raying the highlighted area. The radiopaque material is formed into any one of a variety of shapes, such as a circle, triangle or square, so as to provide a marker that completely encompasses the cutaneous landmark. A series of such markers is affixed to a roll of tape with an adhesive backing, or provided in pre-cut form, for ease of dispensation and attachment to the patient's foot.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cover for an x-ray cassette which has a sleeve made of radiolucent material to receive an x-ray cassette. A foam pad is attached to the sleeve and aligned such that the foam pad covers the x-ray cassette. The foam pad is made of radiolucent material. The sleeve is made from a first sheet and second sheet of radiolucent material attached on three sides, which create a slot and a sleeve.

Abstract: A specimen holder including a housing having a specimen chamber in it. A window defining a wall of the chamber allows transmission of at least a portion of the x-radiation from X-ray diffraction spectometry apparatus on which the holder is mounted, into the chamber. The housing has a passageway in it opening at one end into the specimen chamber and at the opposite end to outside the housing. A cylindrical specimen mount supports the specimen in the housing is constructed for sealing sliding reception in the passageway such that the specimen mount is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and movable lengthwise of the passageway while maintaining a seal with the passageway for positioning the specimen in the specimen chamber.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a means for testing the operating characteristics of an image reconstructing apparatus, the means including a high resolution gauge for determining the resolution of the apparatus and including a bead which is adapted for testing the modulation transfer function of the apparatus. A method of producing the high resolution gauge is also provided.

Abstract: An improved shape of a small rectangular dental x-ray, including a jacket for containing each unexposed dental x-ray and a mount for viewably retaining a complete set of expoded such dental x-rays. The improved dental x-ray shape includes three conventional, rounded corners and a notched or diagonally cut fourth corner which provides viewable indicia of orientation. The jacket includes orienting lines extending along two adjacent margins from the corner corresponding to the notched corner of the unexposed dental x-ray contained therein. The mount, formed of thin, pliable transparent sheet plastic material, includes a plurality of transparent pouches or pockets arranged thereon, each of which is similarly notched, shaped and structured to viewably receive and retain one such exposed improved dental x-ray. These pockets are divided into left, right and center regions corresponding to the regions of patients' teeth.

Abstract: In a stowed configuration, a gantry (32) of a CT scanner is mounted by helical, wire rope shock isolators (78) to a floor (12) of an ISO shelter at about a 60.degree. angle relative to a central axis (48) of the shelter. Mechanical assemblies (84, 100) limit movement of a tiltable gantry portion (82) relative to fixed gantry portions (60, 62, 64). A CT scanner control console (36) is mounted adjacent an opposite end of the ISO shelter on shock isolators (140). A patient couch (34) is mounted on shock isolators (122) in a stowed configuration in the available space between the gantry and the console. To deploy the system, foldable walls (26, 30), a foldable ceiling panel (28), and a foldable floor panel (24) of the ISO shelter are folded out. The patient couch is lowered onto casters (124) and moved into alignment with a central axis of the gantry. Jacks (128, 130) lower the patient couch from the casters and shock isolators onto the floor of the ISO shelter for fixed engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus provided with a measuring head for determining with the aid of X-ray fluorescence or X-ray absorption measuring techniques the surface weight of a measuring subject comprising coatings or surface-deposits or the concentration of basic substances in the subject to be measured, comprising liquid, slurries, powder or solid samples. The apparatus includes means for moving the measuring head (1) over the subject (5) to be measured and also over a reference sample (4), such as a sample or an empty sample-container, or vice versa. The measuring aperture provided in the measuring head (1) is covered with a protective film (7) for the purpose of preventing the ingress of particles from the subject (5) into the aperture. Means (3) are also provided for checking the dirt-coating on the protective film (7) regularly and for sending an order to a film-carrying device (8, 10, 11) to advance film when the dirt-coating is found unacceptable.

Abstract: A portable positioning device for supporting and holding a patient in a lateral decubitus position on the table of a densitometer or the like includes a rigid back support having a vertical wall, a buttocks support having a vertical wall extending laterally at an angle relative to the vertical wall of the back support and a restraining means for holding the patient against these vertical walls, such as a flexible strap. The positioning device is placed on the densitometer table with the vertical wall of the back support parallel to the longitudinal axis of the table and the patient is positioned on the table in a lateral decubitus position and legs flexed with his or her back against the back support, buttocks against the buttocks support and knees bent in a comfortable position. The strap is wrapped around the patient's waist, pulled tight enough to hold him or her in place and then secured to the back support.

Abstract: A mask cassette and mask cassette loading device, suitably usable in an X-ray exposure apparatus for exposing a wafer to a mask with X-rays contained in synchrotron radiation, to print a pattern of the mask on the wafer, are disclosed. The mask cassette includes a base for accommodating a plurality masks and a cover which can be separated from and coupled to the base only in one direction. When the two are coupled by a locking mechanism, the cassette can be completely closed against atmospheric pressure. The mask cassette loading device includes a common mechanism which serves to release the locking mechanism of the cassette and also, to move the cassette base relative to the cover. Thus, with a simple and compact structure, the protection and replacement of X-ray masks are ensured with certainty.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette for supporting a material sample, the cassette including a housing and a retaining assembly for retaining the sample in the housing. The retaining assembly includes a plurality of retaining members adapted to be disposed about the periphery of the sample for movement radially thereof, a biasing spring encircling the retaining members for biasing the retaining members into engagement with the sample, and a cover supported by the housing for securing the retaining members and the biasing member within the housing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a laser and X-rays are adapted to be coaxial to each other by the combination of a mirror and a focusing lens, whereby an X-ray irradiation position and a range thereof on an object to be subjected to the application of X-rays can be surely monitored even though the X-ray irradiation range is small.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, hollow fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation enters the fiber through entrance pupil (10) and travels through the hollow interior of fiber body (20) by reflecting and scattering off the inner wall of the fiber, frequently at grazing incidence angles. Fiber body (20) is covered at one end by thin film cap (30) which is thin enough to be at least semitransparent to ionizing radiation, but which is also strong enough to allow air to be withdrawn from fiber body (20) at the opposite uncapped end. Small obstructions (32) at the exit end of the fiber can be used to spread the beam of ionizing radiation to a desirable width. A flexible fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation has important applications in medicine for the radiation therapy of tumors. Applications also exist in communications and other fields.

Abstract: In a radiation therapy machine it is desirable to produce irregular radiation field shapes in order to shield critical organs not invaded by the tumor. A multileaf collimator is formed of a multiplicity of heavy metal bar leaves driven relative to frames which are driven relative to jaws of a rectangular field collimator by electric motors and flexible cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus with a motor-driven movable part. The drive takes place via a shaft, which is mounted in a bearing, the bearing forces of which are measured by a measuring device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the radiographic recording of a patient's dentition, jaws, and skull regions invalues seating a patient in a patient chair (9) so as localize the patient in the coordinate system of the radiographic apparatus in an unequivocal position before taking the exposure for a radiograph (87). Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the radiograph (87) is used for measuring the coordinates of a desired object (95) by a coordinate locator (88), after which the desired partial area (94 or 96) is selected on the basis of the coordinates, and the exposure direction is changed in relation to the first exposure in the horizontal plane and/or the vertical plane before executing the exposure program for the desired partial area (94 or 96).

Abstract: A device for holding a tissue specimen for radiographic exposure and assisting in the location of an abnormality in the specimen as detected by said radiographic exposure. The device comprises first and second platen members of radiolucent material, a radiopaque grid dividing one platen member into a plurality of regions, and a mechanism for drawing the two platen members toward one another thereby to compress a tissue specimen and flatten it to a substantially uniform thickness prior to radiographic exposure. An improved biopsy procedure utilizing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A manipulator for positioning a part includes a manipulator mandrel, manipulator arms, a pneumatic actuator ball plunger, drive motors, and shaft encoders. The motors drive the manipulator mandrel vertically perpendicular to a plane of directed X-ray beams and one whose rotation axis is vertical and perpendicular to the plane of the directed X-ray beam. The motors include positioning encoders which generate encoding pulses representative of movement of the manipulator mandrel along either axis. The pneumatic ball plunger provides for the acquiring of a gripper which holds a part to be inspected in the X-ray beam. The manipulator mandrel includes two L-shaped arms inwardly extending towards the ball plunger for acquiring a gripper having outwardly extending flanges.

Abstract: An alignment device for use in mobile radiography. In contrast to prior practice in which a film cassette is placed on one side of the patient, an x-ray source on the other, and it is left to the skill of the technician to approximate the necessary alignment, the present invention assures consistent alignment much more precise than is typically achieved. The precise alignment allows regular use of a grid in mobile radiography which helps to prevent image deterioration caused by scattered radiation. The precise alignment is achieved by providing an adaptable physical connection which when in the deployed condition, accurately establishes both the distance between the focal spot and the film plane and the alignment of the grid with respect to the central ray.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus with focus position control, the focus being formed on the anode of an X-ray tube with magnetic bearings. The X-ray apparatus comprises a focus position sensing device cooperating with electronic means associated with the magnetic bearings, in order to control the position of the focus by displacing a rotor under the action of the magnetic bearings.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a compression carriage, adjustable by means of an electromotor, supports a compression localizer with which a switch is associated which disconnects the motor when the compression localizer engages the radiography subject. The connection between the motor and compression localizer can be selectively disengaged manually so as to allow manual movement of the compression localizer while the motor remains deenergized.

Abstract: An X-Ray Shadow Prevention Device for use in the taking of chest exposures for the prevention of the formation of shadows on the exposed film caused by contact of the nipples of the patient with the surface of the X-ray film-holder. The device includes a resilient layer of foam rubber or the equivalent which deforms upon contact with the patient, and prevents the forming of a quasicircular air space surrounding the nipples which cause a correspondingly-shaped shadow to appear on the film.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus for facilitating insertion of a radiographic element on a carrier into the retractable opaque envelope of a film unit for exposure purposes, and for facilitating its later removal, includes a housing having a light tight chamber for receiving the carrier and film unit arranged in superposed relation therein. When the housing is in an upright loading position and the envelope is retracted, gravitational force urges the carrier into contact with the negative sheet so that both are enclosed when the envelope is moved back to its closed position. During removal operations, the housing is inverted, allowing gravitational force to urge the carrier away from the negative sheet so that the envelope passes therebetween when returned to its closed position, leaving the carrier outside of the envelope.

Abstract: A sample cell useful in analytical devices employing X-ray fluorescence as the detection method. The sample cell includes a cup which telescopically receives a ring. A radiation permeable membrane is sandwiched between the outside of the cup and the inside of the ring so as to be tightly stretched across the cup. The cup and ring are both molded from virgin polyethylene mixed with a silicone oil.

Abstract: The X-ray apparatus contains an X-ray tube and a transition device for moving the X-ray tube between a vertical and a horizontal emission position. A first film cassette tray may be provided for vertical exposures. A second film cassette tray is provided for horizontal exposures. The X-ray apparatus further contains a mechanism for operationally connecting the second tray to the X-ray tube. This mechanism is designed such that the second tray is positioned in a waiting position outside the vertical X-ray beam when the X-ray tube is in its vertical emission position and such that the second tray is automatically transferred from the waiting position to a horizontal exposure position when the X-ray tube is moved from its vertical emission position to its horizontal emission position. The mechanism preferably contains a large number of arms and levers.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a fluid analyzing cell including a cylinder having an open end closed by a plastic film and a closed end wall including means therein for easily rupturing said closed end wall to accommodate fluid expansion or venting of gases within the cell.