X-Ray apparatus alignment method and device
First Claim
1. A method of enabling visualization of the central ray of an x-ray beam emitted from a focal spot of an x-ray tube in a casing that has a port through which an x-ray beam may be projected and is mounted for moving relative to at least one image receptor plane in a diagnostic x-ray system, said method comprising the steps of:
- installing a central ray locator device housing in an adapter which is mounted to said casing at said port and is movable transversely of the direction in which the x-ray beam is to be projected, the locator device including an element having a hole whose axis is directed at said focal spot for passing a central ray aligned with said axis, said device having a phosphor screen spaced from said hole and said screen having crosshairs on whose intersection the axis of said hole projects,energizing the x-ray tube and shifting said adapter as required until the bright spot visible on said screen due to passage of rays through said hole occurs at the intersection of said crosshairs as an indication that the central ray has been located, and then clamping said adapter to said casing,then substituting for said locator device in said adapter a housing in which there is a laser mounted in said housing such that its output beam is concident with the same axis as said hole and said crosshairs so that when said laser is energized its beam will produce a visible light spot where the invisible central x-ray would impinge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In x-ray apparatus where the central ray of an x-ray beam must be made perpendicular to the planes of one or more image receptors, a central ray locator is coupled to the beam output port of an x-ray tube casing and the central ray is indicated when a luminescent spot occurs at the intersection point of cross hairs on a phosphor screen. A laser device then replaces the locator. Its beam simulates the central ray and coincides with it and provides a visual indication of it. The laser beam enables determining if the tube casing is moving in a straight vertical line by observing the movements of the laser beam light spot while it is projected on a plane surface. Procedures are disclosed for establishing the simulated central ray in perpendicularity with receptor planes.
80 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of enabling visualization of the central ray of an x-ray beam emitted from a focal spot of an x-ray tube in a casing that has a port through which an x-ray beam may be projected and is mounted for moving relative to at least one image receptor plane in a diagnostic x-ray system, said method comprising the steps of:
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installing a central ray locator device housing in an adapter which is mounted to said casing at said port and is movable transversely of the direction in which the x-ray beam is to be projected, the locator device including an element having a hole whose axis is directed at said focal spot for passing a central ray aligned with said axis, said device having a phosphor screen spaced from said hole and said screen having crosshairs on whose intersection the axis of said hole projects, energizing the x-ray tube and shifting said adapter as required until the bright spot visible on said screen due to passage of rays through said hole occurs at the intersection of said crosshairs as an indication that the central ray has been located, and then clamping said adapter to said casing, then substituting for said locator device in said adapter a housing in which there is a laser mounted in said housing such that its output beam is concident with the same axis as said hole and said crosshairs so that when said laser is energized its beam will produce a visible light spot where the invisible central x-ray would impinge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification