Cassette stands and holders

Cassette stands

  • Used to support cassettes for horizontal beam radiography .
  • Most commonly used in large animal examinations .
  • Horizontal beam radiography is used in small animals for

Cassette supports can usually be improvized in small animal radiography.

Cassette holders

  • Holders on long handles   Radiographic positioning: cassette holder - long-handled  are essential for large animal radiography.
  • They permit an assistant to hold the cassette while remaining well outside the primary x-ray beam .

Sandbags and cotton tapes

Sand bags

  • Can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes   Radiographic positioning: sandbags 02  to suit any purpose.
  • Most useful shape is long and thin with loose filling so that they can wrapped around patient's appendages.
  • Commonly used in small animal radiography for
    • Restraining animal .
    • Holding limbs in particular positions.
    • Supporting limb.
    • Preventing tilting of thorax in absence of radiographic positioning trough.

Cotton tapes

  • Ties are useful for
    • Restraining limbs in extended position .
    • Restraining contralateral limb out of the primary x-ray beam .
    • Keeping mammary tissue out of way.

Wedges and troughs

Wedges

  • Can be made in a variety of sizes and different angles for many purposes
  • Usually made from foam.
  • Used mainly to achieve true-lateral projections:

Troughs

  • Usually made from radiolucent material, ie fiber glass, foam or inflatable.
  • Essential for ventrodorsal positioning in most animals.
  • Dorsoventral positioning in some patients.

Wooden blocks

  • Often padded with rubber.
  • Can be used:
  • Specialized wooden blocks are used for radiography of the equine foot
  • Cassette tunnelswhich protect the cassette but allow the horse to weight bear over cassette.
  • Navicular blockson which the horse's toe rests, supporting the foot at specific angles in front of the cassette   Radiographic positioning: navicular block  .

Compression bands

  • Also known asBucky bands.
  • Wide fabric strip wound onto 2 reels with a handle and ratchet to tighten band .
  • Used for:
    • Immobilization.
    • Displacement of abdominal organs.