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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to energy detecting cassettes for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects, and more particularly to cassettes having an edge
wall portion contoured to fit the surface of an object adjacent or next to
the portion of the object to be subjected to detectable energy.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Cassettes have long been used in energy detecting devices for detection of
X-ray and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of the
interior of objects. Such cassettes are flat boxes which hold an image
fixing medium (X-ray film or the like) in a position adjacent the portion
of the object or body being subjected to detection or scanning. Cassettes
are usually made of plastic or cardboard. Metal cassettes may be used
where the metal does not interfere with the image being detected or fixed.
Standard detection or imaging cassettes are thin, flat, rectangular (or
square) plastic or cardboard boxes which hold the film or other energy
detecting medium. The flat edge wall of conventional square or rectangular
cassettes often does not conform to the subject or structure outline which
limits the subject evaluation or measurement.
In mammography, the standard cassettes used are square or rectangular. This
configuration precludes consistent evaluation of deep breast tissue and
therefore deep lesions or cancers may go undetected. In industrial uses,
the standard cassettes used are likewise square or rectangular which may
not conform to the subject or adjacent structure outline.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved cassette for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of
energy used for examination of the interior of objects.
It is another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
cassette for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of
energy used for examination of the interior of objects having an edge wall
portion contoured to fit the surface of an object adjacent to the portion
of the object to be subjected to detectable energy.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cassette
for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for
examination of the interior of the human body which increases the comfort
of examination.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cassette
for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for
examination of the interior of objects configured to evaluate portions of
the body which are substantially inaccessible.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to time
throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related.
The above noted objects and other objects of the invention are accomplished
by a novel cassette for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable
forms of energy used for examination of the interior of objects having an
edge wall portion contoured to fit the surface of an object adjacent to
the portion of the object to be subjected to detectable energy. In use,
the cassette is placed adjacent the portion of the object to be recorded
or imaged with the contoured edge wall fitting the surface and permitting
energy from a source of detectable energy to reach the recording or
imaging medium with a minmum of interference. This cassette maximizes
comfort in use and efficiency of recording or imaging and avoids the
necessity of using special energy sources for recording or imaging body
portions which are relatively inaccessible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the surface of a
female or male body adjacent to the breast for use in mammography.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured for a different application.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured for still another
application.
FIG. 4 is an edge elevation of the cassettes shown in FIGS. 1-3.
FIG. 5 is a view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the stomach and
positioned to evaluate an umbilical hernia.
FIG. 6 is a view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the wall of a pipe and
positioned to evaluate a bolt positioned therein.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an energy detecting cassette for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit and fitted against a
female and male body portion adjacent to the breast.
FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation of the cassette, body and breast shown
in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a cassette contoured to fit the body and
positioned to evaluate the should and upper arm.
FIG. 10 is a view of an ultrasonic transducer array contoured to fit the
body and positioned to evaluate the abdomen of a pregnant female.
FIG. 11 is a view in side elevation of a detector array for computed
tomography.
FIG. 12 is side view of a contoured magnet used for magnetic imaging.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the various views an energy detecting cassette is shown for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consists of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the surface of an
object adjacent to the portion of the object to be subjected to detectable
energy. The cassette is constructed of cardboard, plastic, metal and/or
other durable materials having properties which permit the transfer of
energy to the detection material (film) or device (sonic, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), etc.) for detection. The cassette has one or more
edge walls arced in a manner that allows it to fit or contour to an
adjacent structure or a structure to be evaluated. This contouring
enhances and increases the amount of information derived from the
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for detection,
recording and/or enhancing.
In FIG. 1, there is shown an energy detecting cassette B for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion A contoured to fit the surface of a
female body adjacent to the breast for use in mammography. The thickness
of the cassette B and contoured edge wall A are shown in FIG. 4.
In FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown energy detecting cassettes B for
detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for
examination of the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an
image fixing medium having an edge wall portion or portions A contoured
for other appliations requiring a fit against a particular surface. The
thickness of the cassette B and contoured edge wall A are shown in FIG. 4.
In FIG. 5, there is shown an energy detecting cassette B for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion A contoured as in FIG. 1 fitting the
stomach wall C and positioned to evaluate an umbilical hernia D.
In FIG. 6, there is shown an energy detecting cassette B for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consisting of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion A contoured to fit the wall of a pipe D
and positioned to evaluate a bolt C positioned adjacent thereto.
In FIGS. 7 and 8, an energy detecting cassette B for detection of
electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc),
sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of
the interior of objects consists of a box for holding an image fixing
medium having an edge wall portion A contoured to fit and fitted against a
female or male chest C adjacent to the breast D. This arrangement permits
a more thorough examination of the breast D and auxiliary slip E in that
deeper breast tissue and auxiliary slip are completely submitted for
detection. An X-ray beam presented perpendicularly to the cassette B and
the film supported therein allows a more complete examination of these
structures. Standard cassettes are geometrical in shape and preclude this
detection.
In FIG. 9, cassette B has surface A contoured to fit the chest C and
positioned to evaluate the shoulder E and upper arm D.
In sonography, the energy generator and detector are the same cassette and
contouring to fit the surface of the object being scanned or imaged has
the same advantage. In FIG. 10, ultrasonic transducer array B' is
contoured as at A to fit the abdomen D of a pregnant woman to detect and
evaluate pregnancy and the fetus E.
In computed tomography, the energy generator and detector form a unit which
detectors are contoured to fit the surface of the object being scanned or
imaged and has the same advantage. In FIG. 11, detector array B" is
contoured as at A to fit the chest C . An X-ray tube E emits X-rays D to
detector array B" and holder F contoured as at A.
In Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the energy generator and detector are
the same. Contouring to fit the surface of the object being scanned or
imaged has the same advantage. In FIG. 12, magnet B1 is contoured as at A
to fit the thigh C to evaluate the femur D.
While this invention has been shown fully and completely with special
emphasis on certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein.
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