Radiographic marker that displays an angle in degrees on portable X-rays

A method for determining an angulation of an object in an x-ray image, the method comprising:

• positioning a cassette of an x-ray device adjacent to an object at an angulation, wherein an enclosure is coupled to the cassette and the enclosure comprises a first passageway with a first movable object allowed to travel within the first passageway and the enclosure comprises a second passageway with a second movable object allowed to travel within the first passageway, the first passageway being disposed in a first plane and the second passageway being disposed in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane;
• producing an x-ray image of the object at the angulation using the x-ray device, such that the positions of first and second movable objects relative to the first and second passageways, respectively, are shown in the x-ray image;
• and
• identifying the angulation at which the object is positioned in the produced x-ray image by:
• determining a first angle of the angulation based on the position of the first movable object relative to the first passageway shown in the produced x-ray image;
• and
• determining a second angle of the angulation based on the position of the second movable object relative to the second passageway shown in the produced x-ray image.

A device for indicating an angulation of an object in an x-ray image, the device comprising:

• an enclosure being configured so as to be attached to a front surface of a cassette used for x-ray imaging, the enclosure having a first passageway within the enclosure through which a first radiopaque movable object travels in relation to a first angle at which the cassette is disposed, and the enclosure having a second passageway within the enclosure through which a second radiopaque movable object travels in relation to a second angle at which the cassette is disposed, wherein the first and second passageways are both arcuate, the first arcuate passageway is disposed in a first plane, the second arcuate passageway is disposed in a second plane, and the first and second planes are perpendicular to each other;
• and
• a first plurality of radiopaque markers positioned adjacent to the first passageway, and a second plurality of radiopaque markers positioned adjacent to the second passageway;
• wherein a current position of the first radiopaque movable object;
• in relation to the first plurality of radiopaque markers represents the first angle at which the cassette is disposed, and a current position of the second radiopaque movable object in relation to the second plurality of radiopaque markers represents the second angle at which the cassette is disposed.

An apparatus for displaying an angulation on an x-ray image, the apparatus comprising:

• an x-ray device configured to produce x-ray images of an object between the x-ray device and a cassette;
• a first passageway that is coupled to the cassette, wherein a first movable object travels in the first passageway in relation to an angulation at which the cassette is currently disposed;
• a second passageway that is coupled to the cassette, wherein a second movable object travels in the second passageway in relation to the angulation at which the cassette is currently disposed;
• a first plurality of markers positioned adjacent to the first passageway, wherein a position of the first movable object in relation to the first plurality of markers represents a first angle at which the object is positioned at a time when the x-ray image is taken;
• and
• a second plurality of markers positioned adjacent to the second passageway, wherein a position of the second movable object in relation to the second plurality of markers represents a second angle at which the object is positioned at a time when the x-ray image is taken;
• wherein the first and second angles are defined in respective perpendicular planes;
• and
• wherein the first and second movable objects and the first and second pluralities of markers are visible on the x-ray image produced by the x-ray device.