US 4,382,184 A · Apparatus and method for simultaneously displaying relative displacements of a fluctuating biological object

Abstract

X-ray apparatus and method for producing discrete images of a human organ in fluctuating motion, e.g., the heart and related vessels. Each image is derived at a selected time related to the cardiac cycle. The images are independently presented on respective discrete areas within a common image plane. A source of X-rays irradiates the organ. A physiological synchronizer produces timing signals within the cardiac cycle for controlling the periods of transmission of the X-ray beam through the organ during, for example, end diastole and end systole. An antiscattering, masking frame has alternate parallel slits and bars at equal intervals exposing substantially half the area of presentation of an X-ray sensitive film in alternate, equally spaced area strips during, e.g., diastole. The frame is repositioned in response to a signal from the synchronizer for actuating it relative to the film such that the bars then cover the sensitized areas of the film and expose substantially the remaining half of the film during systole. The image elements are interdigitally juxtaposed to present the diastolic and systolic images in an interlaced pattern. Relative displacements of the organ during a cardiac cycle may be determined from the juxtaposed image elements.

Claims40

Dependent claims

X-ray apparatus for producing discrete images of a human organ in fluctuating motion, each said image being derived at a selected time related to systole and diastole, respectively, for simultaneous, independent presentation of said images on respective discrete areas within a common image plane, comprising:

(A) means for X-irradiating said organ;
(B) means for producing a diastolic timing signal for controlling the period of transmission of said X-radiation through said organ during diastole;
(C) means for producing a systolic timing signal for controlling the period of transmission of said X-radiation through said organ during systole;
(D) means for directing X-rays from said organ, during one said period, to selected discrete area segments of said image plane, each said segment corresponding with one discrete image element of one said discrete image;
(E) means for directing X-rays from said organ, during the other said period, to selected discrete area segments of said image plane, each said segment corresponding with one discrete image element of the other said discrete image, said area segments and image elements being interdigital to produce said images in an interlaced pattern, such that relative displacements of said organ between systole and diastole may be simultaneously viewed and determined from juxtaposed said image elements;
and
(F) means enabling said systolic and diastolic images to be distinguished from, and identified relative to, each other.

4 more elements

X-ray apparatus for deriving an electrocardiographic signal from a human for producing discrete images of a human organ in fluctuating motion, each said image being composed of a set of discrete image elements and derived at a selected time related to the cardiac cycle, for simultaneous, independent presentation of said images on respective discrete areas within a common image plane, each said area having a set of discrete area segments, each of which corresponds with one said image element, comprising:

(A) means for X-irradiating said human organ;
(B) means for deriving an electrocardiographic signal, indicative of the cardiac cycle, from said human;
(C) means for deriving a first timing signal for controlling said X-radiation from said organ to said image plane for a first period;
(D) means for deriving a second timing signal, separated from said first timing signal by a discrete time interval, for controlling said X-radiation from said organ to said image plane during a second period;
(E) means for directing the first said X-radiation, during said first period, to selected said discrete area segments of said image plane corresponding with said discrete elements of one said discrete image;
(F) means for directing the second said X-radiation, during the other said period, to selected said discrete area segments of said image plane corresponding with said discrete elements of the other said discrete image, said corresponding elements and area segments being interdigitally juxtaposed to produce said images in an interlaced pattern, such that a relative change of condition of said organ during said interval can be determined from juxtaposed said image elements;
and
(G) means enabling said discrete images to be distinguished from, and identified relative to, each other.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for simultaneously displaying relative displacements of a fluctuating biological object

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for simultaneously displaying relative displacements of a fluctuating biological object

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40