GB2439285A - Means to determine the magnification of X-ray films - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable flexible strap securable around a subject having a means to determine the magnification of X-ray films. The adjustable strap comprises of high density foam with Velcro (RTM) to permit adjustment. The means to determine the magnification of X-ray films comprises a 10mm or 20mm spherical cobalt chrome ball bearing housed in a sealed sponge pouch that is attached to the strap by stitching. When the X-ray films are developed, the ball bearing is visible and any structures on the X-ray film can be sized. The device may be used in medical or veterinary X-rays and used on subjects that may include patients or animals.

Description

<p>1 2439285</p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>The invention relates to a device to be used in combination with medical and veterinary X-rays in diagnostic procedures.</p>

<p>It is well known and proven that all X-ray images suffer from a factor of increased or decreased magnification depending on the distance the subject is from the emitter and X-ray film. When examining an X-ray film, it is therefore very difficult to accurately measure distances because the extent of magnification of the film is unknown.</p>

<p>The "X-Ray Sizing Band" is a flexible strap that has been designed to be attached to the subject or animal about to be X-rayed using an adjustable Velcro soft sponge band. 20 cm from the Velcro end of the "X-Ray Sizing Band", there is a sealed stitched sponge pouch containing a commercially available 10mm or 20mm Cobalt Chrome Ball Bearing. When the "X-Ray Sizing Band" is attached, it is positioned so the pouch containing the ball bearing is positioned over the bone to be X-rayed. The whole assembly is retained in place while the X-ray is taken. When the X-ray films are developed, the radio-opaque ball bearing is visible close to the desired bone to be X-rayed. As the size of the ball bearing (10mm or 20mm) is already known, any structures on the X-ray film can be accurately sized using the 10mm or 20mm ball bearing as a guide to the X-ray films magnification.</p>

<p>Construction of the "X-Ray Sizing Band": The "X-Ray Sizing Band" is made from a flexible strap of fabric or sponge material 100 cm long, 3 cm wide and 5 mm thick. It is encased in a soft fabric sleeve that will engage with and provide a secure hold when apposed to the hooked end of commercially available Velcro. At one end and on one side of the "X-Ray Sizing Band" is a strip of commercially available hooked Velcro, 5 cm in length and 3 cm in width. On the opposite side to the Velcro, 20 cm from the same end as the Velcro, is a small sealed stitched circular sponge pouch 3cm in diameter and 1 cm high that contains a commercially available 10mm or 20mm Cobalt Chrome Ball Bearing (Figs 1 & 2).</p>

<p>(Fig 1): Diagram of X-Ray Scale Band illustrating the foam strap, 5cm hooked Velcro strip at one end, and sponge pouch containing 10mm or 20mm Cobalt Chrome ball bearing on opposite face as Velcro strip.</p>

<p>(Fig 2): Drawing of the 10mm or 20mm ball bearing containing stitched pouch on the opposite face to the Velcro, but on the same side of the "X-Ray Sizing Band".</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>Claims 1. A flexible strap of adjustable length securable round an

   animal or patient used to determine the magnification of X-ray films.</p>

   <p>2. A strap as claimed in Claim 1 that has a hooked Velcro patch on side that allows it to be adjustable in its encirclement of a limb or other structure.</p>

   <p>3. A Strap as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 that has a small stitched sponge pouch on the opposite side to the Velcro strip that contains a circular 10mm or 20mm diameter Cobalt Chrome Ball Bearing.</p>

   <p>4. A strap as claimed in any proceeding claim that is made from flexible high density sponge and covered in a stitched layer of fabric that can engage with hooked Velcro along its entire length.</p>

   <p>5. An adjustable X-ray sizing strap substantially as herein described by all the above claims and illustrated in the enclosed drawings below.</p>