Optical cephalostat

Claim 3

The method as described in claim 1, in which said angle is 45*.

Claim 4

The methoD as described in claim 1, in which the said method is used for exposing said patient''s head to a sequence of X-rays at intervals of time, and which includes the additional step of projecting X-rays against the same surface of the patient''s head as said cross-shaped light beam is projected, the axis of said X-ray projection being coincident with the axis of said light beam projection.

Claim 5

A method as described in claim 1, which includes the additional step of positioning a calibrator in place of the patient''s head prior to the positioning thereof, said calibrator being configured for the initial positioning thereof with respect to said light beam so as to avoid prolonged positioning of the patient''s head.

Claim 6

Apparatus for the three-dimensional positioning by optical means of a patient''s head for radiation analysis or treatment by the simultaneous horizontal and vertical displacement thereof over a period of time in the same position for each period in the sequence and having a source of light, the combination which comprises a cross-shaped projection plate means disposed between said source and a patient''s head for providing a cross-shaped light beam the axis of which is horizontal, and said light beam having a horizontal component and a vertical component perpendicular to said horizontal component, a first surface reflecting mirror disposed adjacent the patient''s head to be positioned with the reflecting surface thereof disposed at an angle within the range of between about 40*-50* from the axis of said light beam and a vertical plane passing through the midpoint of the head to be positioned when said vertical plane is perpendicular to the said axis of said light beam for reflecting the said vertical component along said vertical plane, and for reflecting said horizontal component on the side of the head to be positioned opposite from said source, and means for projecting additional radiation toward the patient''s head for performing analysis or treatment thereof.

Claim 7

Apparatus for the three-dimensional positioning by optical means of a patient''s head for radiation analysis or treatment by the simultaneous horizontal and vertical displacement thereof over a period of time in the same position for each period in the sequence and having a source of light, the combination which comprises a cross-shaped projection plate means disposed between said source and a patient''s head for providing a cross-shaped light beam the axis of which is horizontal, and said light beam having a horizontal component and a vertical component perpendicular to said horizontal component, a first surface reflecting mirror disposed adjacent the patient''s head to be positioned with the reflecting surface thereof disposed at an angle within the range of between about 40*-50* from the axis of said light beam and a vertical plane passing through the midpoint of the head to be positioned when said vertical plane is perpendicular to the said axis of said light beam for reflecting the said vertical component along said vertical plane, and for reflecting said horizontal component on the side of the head to be positioned opposite from said source, and means for projecting additional radiation toward the patient''s head for performing analysis or treatment thereof.

Claim 8

Apparatus as described in claim 5, which includes a source of X-ray radiation disposed adjacent said light source for projecting a beam of X-rays against the surface of a patient''s head to be positioned, the axis of said X-ray beam being in the same plane of said light beam, support means disposed on the side of the patient''s head to be positioned opposite said light source and said X-ray source, an X-ray cassette disposed on said support means for holding X-ray film to be exposed, and said cassette being disposed for slidable vertical engagement with said support.

Claim 9

Apparatus as recited in claim 6, which includes a horizontal longitudinally extending bracket, one end of which is connected to said cassette, said bracket extending over the head of a patient to be positioned, a pair of descending arms connected to said bracket for extending along each side of the head of a patient to be positioned, an ear post disposed on each of said arms, said ear posts being diametrically opposed for insertion into the meati of the ears of a patient to be positioned, whereby insertion of said ear posts provides initial coarse positioning of the head of a patient to be positioned.

Claim 10

Apparatus as recited in claim 7, which includes a calibration box for positioning in place of a patient''s head to be positioned for the initial positioning of said light beam, said calibration box being comprised of a generally trapezoid shaped top and bottom, a front frame extending between said top and bottom, a rear frame extending between said top and bottom at the side thereof opposite said front frame, a pair of dowels disposed adjacent said rear frame and extending from said top to said bottom, a sheet of flexible translucent material extending from one side of said front frame around said dowels to the other side of said front frame, said material having a pair of vertical calibration lines disposed thereon midway between said dowels, whereby reflection of said light beam on said matErial provides initial positioning of said light beam when the vertical component thereof is disposed equidistant between said calibration lines and parallel thereto, and the reflection of said horizontal component on said material on each side of said dowels is on a continuously horizontal plane.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claim 6, which also includes a nasion tactile element for contact with the nasion of a patient to be positioned, said element comprising a generally flexible material one end of which is in the form of a suction cup for adherence and positioning on said cassette, a cylinder disposed in said element at the end thereof opposite said suction cup portion, a piston disposed in said cylinder, resilient means disposed between said piston and said cylinder, and a nasion engaging piece disposed on said piston on the end thereof opposite said resilient means.