Head activated fluoroscopic control
First Claim
1. A head activated fluoroscopic control for visually operating fluoroscopic x-ray equipment characterized by an x-ray tube and collimation element, an image intensification element and a monitor, said head operated fluoroscopic control comprising a transmitter adapted for removable attachment to a headpiece worn by an operator for emitting a continuous cone-shaped beam of infrared radiation substantially along the line of sight of the operator and a receiver spaced from said transmitter, said receiver electrically connected to the fluoroscopic x-ray equipment for receiving said continuous, cone-shaped beam of infrared radiation whereby said fluoroscopic x-ray equipment is operated when the monitor is in said line of sight of the operator and said continuous beam of electromagnetic radiation is received by said receiver.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A head-activated fluoroscopic control which is characterized in a preferred embodiment by a continuous wave infrared transmitter located in a cartridge adapted for attachment to eyeglasses, a headband or other headpiece worn by a surgeon or attending physician and a detector or receiver tuned to the frequency of the continuous wave infrared transmitter for receiving a partially collimated infrared signal beam and activating a fluoroscope. The infrared transmitter emits the collimated beam and the beam is received by the receiver when the surgeon'"'"'s head is turned toward the fluoroscope monitor upon which the receiver rests or in which the receiver is mounted, to facilitate selective operation of the fluoroscope during surgery.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A head activated fluoroscopic control for visually operating fluoroscopic x-ray equipment characterized by an x-ray tube and collimation element, an image intensification element and a monitor, said head operated fluoroscopic control comprising a transmitter adapted for removable attachment to a headpiece worn by an operator for emitting a continuous cone-shaped beam of infrared radiation substantially along the line of sight of the operator and a receiver spaced from said transmitter, said receiver electrically connected to the fluoroscopic x-ray equipment for receiving said continuous, cone-shaped beam of infrared radiation whereby said fluoroscopic x-ray equipment is operated when the monitor is in said line of sight of the operator and said continuous beam of electromagnetic radiation is received by said receiver.
- 2. A method for visually operating fluoroscopic x-ray equipment comprising the steps of mounting an electromagnetic radiation transmitter on the head of an operator, electrically connecting an electromagnetic radiation receiver to the fluoroscopic x-ray equipment and operating the fluoroscopic x-ray equipment responsive to movement of the head of the operator and causing electromagnetic radiation from said electromagnetic radiation transmitter to strike said electromagnetic radiation receiver.
- 15. A method for visually operating fluoroscopic x-ray equipment characterized by an x-ray tube and collimation element, an image intensification element and a monitor, said method comprising the steps of mounting an infrared radiation transmitter on the head of an operator, electrically connecting an infrared radiation receiver to the monitor and operating the fluoroscopic x-ray equipment responsive to movement of the head of the operator to view the monitor and causing infrared radiation from said infrared radiation transmitter to strike said infrared radiation receiver substantially along the line of sight of the operator.
Specification