Importance

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Abstract

X-ray apparatus for angiography has a support member which is rotatable about a vertical axis and a U-shaped arm mounted on the support for rotating about a horizontal axis. A radially movable carriage with an x-ray source mounted on it is mounted at one end of the U-arm. Carriages which are movable linearly and radially relative to the horizontal axis support an image intensifier and a film changer respectively. The horizontal axis and vertical axis of rotation which is coincident with the x-ray beam axis intersect at a point which is isocentric. Images can be obtained with either the intensifier receptor or film changer receptor in varying degrees of magnification and without magnification while the patient being examined remains coincident with the isocenter. Means are provided for counterbalancing the source, changer and the intensifier independently. Force limited actuators such as motors equipped with slip-clutches are operatively coupled to counterweight cables for driving the carriages and for allowing the carriage to be moved manually. Any carriage has a tendency to remain where it is positioned because of independent counterbalancing and the entire U-arm remains balanced in all of its angular positions and for any position of the receptors or source.

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First Claim