Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for marking of human organs in connection with x-ray examinations that are carried out by means of an x-ray examination apparatus, said device comprising a holder having means for detachable mounting of the holder on the x-ray examination apparatus, and a marking stick that is received in the holder and equipped with a radiopaque marking in the area of its both ends.

Prior Art

From EP 0576075 an x-ray apparatus for remote position indication is previously known. This apparatus is automated/motorized, which means that it comprises a number of components to perform the remote position indication. The complex structural design of this apparatus of course brings about an expensive manufacturing. From US-A-5, 297, 188 indication elements that are used in connection with x-ray examinations are previously known.

These indication elements have suction cups that make it possible to attach the indication elements on an x-ray detector. From US-A-5, 394, 457 a device for marking body sites of a patient is previously known, said device comprising a fixture and markers that are mounted in the fixture.

From US-A-4, 985, 019 an x-ray marker is previously known, said marker on one side having an adhesive surface that is attached to the body of the patient. In the centre of the marker there is a hole adapted to receive a needle for the marking of the spine.

A common feature for both last-mentioned marking devices is that they are attached to the body of the patient. It is also previously known to conduct marking on the screen of an x-ray detector, whereby it is common to use marking badges of metal, with punched marking, or plastic badges with lead letters. These badges are fastened by tape on the screen, e.g. by surgery tape.

Objects and Features of the Invention

A primary object of the present invention is to present a device of the type defined above, said device enabling the marking of different organs in the human body in connection with the execution of x-ray photographs.

A further object of the present invention is that the marking is executed in close connection with the x-ray examination apparatus.

Still a further object of the present invention is that the device is designed for manual operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is that exchange of marking symbol should be extremely user-friendly.

At least the primary object of the present invention is realized by means of a device that has been given the features of the appending independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 shows a top view of a device according to the present invention, the device being in an initial position; Figure 2 shows a section along II-II in figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the device according to figure

1, said device assuming an oblique position compared to the initial position;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view that illustrates the use of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a cassette/radiograph plate, on which an alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention is mounted; Figure 6 shows a top view in a larger scale of the alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the device according to figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the holder that is included in the device according to figures 6 and 7; and

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the marking stick that is included in the device according to figures 6 and

7.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The device shown in figures 1-4 comprises two metal strips 1, see figure 4, said two metal strips 1 being attached to an x-ray examination apparatus in the shape of an x-ray detector R, see figure 4. The metal strips 1 are attached adjacent to a screen D on the x-ray detector R, said metal strips 1 being located at the vertical side edges of the screen D. Normally, the metal strips have a length that corresponds to the length of the vertical side edge of the screen D. The metal strips 1 may be attached to the x-ray detector R for instance by means of Velcro ^® tape.

In figures 1 and 3 only a limited length of a metal strip 1 is shown while in figure 4 two metal strips 1 are shown in full length. The device according to the invention also comprises a holder 3 that on one side is equipped with a magnetic mat 4 (not visible in figures 1 and 3) . By this arrangement the holder 3 may be mounted on the x-ray detector R via any of the metal strips 1. On the side facing towards the viewer the holder 3 is designed to receive a marking stick 5 in such away that the marking stick 5 is displaceable relative to the holder 3. The marking stick 5 has a length that is several times its width. At is evident from figure 2 the holder 3 is equipped with two opposite parallel walls 2 that are located at a mutual distance that somewhat exceeds the width of the marking stick 5. Further, the holder 3 is equipped with four projections 6 on the sides of the parallel walls 2 that face towards each other. Further, the projections 6 are arranged at a distance from the bottom of the holder 3 that somewhat exceeds the thickness of the marking stick 5. Consequently, there should be a slide fit between the holder 3 and the marking stick 5, this slide fit

should be relatively tight, i.e. the marking stick 5 is displaced relative to the holder 3 only upon direct actuation.

As is evident from figures 1 and 3 the marking stick 5 is equipped with markings in the area of its ends. In the shown embodiment the marking stick 5 is marked with "Sin" at one end and with "Dx" at the other end. In this connection it should be pointed out that it is important that the marking is carried out in such a way that it is radiopaque, i.e. "Sin" and "Dx" should be visible on the x-ray photograph. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose it may be mentioned that the marking stick 5 could be transparent and manufactured from polycarbonate.

As is evident from figures 1 and 3 the holder 3 may be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip 1, this stepless displacement being indicated by the arrows Pl and P2. Since the holder 3 is equipped with a magnetic mat 4 the holder 3 may be placed in an arbitrary position on the metal strip 1.

From figure 1 it is further evident that the marking stick 5 is displaceable in its longitudinal direction relative to the holder 3. This is indicated by the double arrow P3 in figures 1 and 3. In this connection it should the emphasized that the magnetic force of the magnetic mat 4 must be of such power that it fixes the position of the holder 3 relative to the metal strip 1, even if the marking stick 5 is displaced at its maximum relative to the holder 3, i.e. the holder 3 engages one end of the marking stick 5.

In figure 3 further movement possibilities for the holder 3 relative to the metal strip 1 is shown. It is thus indicated in figure 3, by means of the double arrows P4 and P5, that the holder 3 may be rotated relative to the metal strip 1. If the holder 3 is given such a rotation of a half revolution, from the position shown in figure 1, the ends of the marking stick 5 will exchange places. In such a case "Dx" has assumed the position of "Sin" without ceasing the engagement between the holder 3 and the marking stick 5.

In figure 4 it is shown how the device according to the present invention is used, and it should be pointed out that the device is designed for manual operation by an operator.

As is evident from figure 4 the metal strip 1 of the device according to the present invention is attached to an x-ray detector R in a suitable way. In the shown embodiment the device according to the present invention comprises two metal strips 1 that are provided on the x-ray detector R along the vertical edges of a screen D of the x-ray detector R. The operator may now use the metal strip 1 that is most close to the organ that is to the marked.

In the situation shown in figure 4 the operator uses the left metal strip 1. In reality there is a patient standing in front of the x-ray detector R. However, for reasons of clarity this patient has been omitted in figure 4. Depending on which organ that is to the x-rayed the size of the dotted square E on the screen D may be adjusted. If it for instance is the question of x-raying an organ at the left side of the patient, the size and location of the square E is adjusted in respect to the organ in question of the patient standing in front of the x-ray detector R. Normally, a portion of the square E lies beside the patient and is then projected on the screen D on the x-ray detector R. Thereby, the operator gets an indication where the end of the marking stick 5, carrying the marking "Sin", is to be placed to be visible on the x-ray photograph that corresponds to the dotted square E on the screen D of the x-ray detector R. Normally, the marking stick 5 is adjusted in such a way that the marking "Sin" is located at the periphery of the square E.

Due to the structural design of the device according to the present invention it is extremely simple for the operator to adjust the end of the marking stick 5 to a correct position in the square E. The position of the holder 3 in vertical direction along the metal strip 1 is adjusted in an extremely simple way since the holder 3 is equipped with a magnetic mat 4 on its backside. When the holder 3 is located at a correct level adjustment of the marking stick 5 in horizontal direction is carried out, this being effected by displacement of the marking stick 5 in its longitudinal direction relative to the holder 3. When the end of the marking stick 5 that is marked with "Sin" is located in a desired position in the square E the operator goes away from the x-ray detector R and

an x-ray photograph is taken. On this x-ray photograph "Sin , " ⁷ will appear adjacent to the left side of the patient, this facilitating the identifying of the organs of the patient when the x-ray photograph is studied. In figure 5 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, the x-ray examination apparatus constituting a cassette/radiograph plate Rl. The alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention is mounted on the cassette/radiograph plate Rl. In figures β and 7 the alternative embodiment of the device is shown more in detail. The device comprises the holder 103 and a marking stick 105 that is received in the holder 103. The marking stick 105 is displaceable in its longitudinal direction relative to the holder 103. The device also comprises a clip 104 that is hingedly connected to the holder 103 by means of a pin 108 that in figure 6 is visible through the transparent marking stick 105. The pin 108 thus extends through the holder 103 and the clip 104, but not through the marking stick 105 since the marking stick 105 is displaceable relative to the holder 103. In figures 6 and 7 the holder 103 is shown in an oblique/angled position relative to the clip 104.

As is evident from figure 7 the clip 104 is U-shaped, which enables the clip 104 to be mounted on a side edge of the cassette/radiograph plate Rl, see figure 5. The clip 104 is manufactured from a resilient material. A resilient fixation of the clip 104 relative the cassette/radiograph plate Rl is provided via the shanks of the clip 104. The clip 104 is thus displaceable relative to a side edge of the cassette/radiograph plate Rl.

. In figure 8 a perspective view of the holder 103 is shown and it is evident that the holder 103 is equipped with a spring 109 in the shape of a metal thread. This metal thread 109 is intended to cooperate with a cut 110 is provided in a longitudinal side edge of the marking stick 105, see figure 9. This spring arrangement makes the marking stick 105 to remain in the holder 103 even if the marking stick 105 assumes an almost vertical position. However, the marking stick 105 may

easily be displaced in its longitudinal direction relative to the holder 103.

Feasible Modifications of the Invention In the embodiment described above a marking stick 5 has been used that is equipped with the markings "Sin" and "Dx" in the area of its ends. Within the scope of the present invention it is however feasible that the marking stick 5 is equipped with other markings in the area of its ends. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose "knee in standing position" and "x-ray of the chest in sitting position" may be mentioned. It is also possible that several marking sticks/holders are used in connection with one x-ray photograph. Within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible to complete the text marking with a colour marking, e.g. read for "Sin" and green for "Dx".

In the embodiment disclosed above the holder 3 is equipped with four projections 6 that hold the displaceable marking stick 5 in the holder 3. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that the holder is equipped with projecting rims on opposite sides of the parallel walls, said projecting rims having the same function as the projections 6. The embodiment described above according to figures 1-4 may be equipped with the spring arrangement that is described in figures 8 and 9.

Within the scope of the invention it is feasible in connection with the embodiment according to figures 5-9 that the clip is not displaceable relative to a side edge of the cassette/radiograph plate Rl. When the clip is detachably attached in a certain position it is normally possible to reach an arbitrary position of the adherent half of the cassette/radiograph plate Rl. This is enabled by having the holder 103 rotatable around the pin 108 and that the marking stick 105 is displaceable in its longitudinal direction relative to the holder 103.