Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Made:
circa 1940 in Sweden

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

Object is deconstructed consisting of the floor to ceiling support column, Perspex table and counterbalance, several loose lead weights, three brackets and stand, eight apertures plates and a wooden plate holder.

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Details

Category:
Radiomedicine
Object Number:
2020-225
Materials:
aluminium alloy, lead (metal), metal (ferrous) and plastic (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall (assembled): 3050 mm x 1250 mm x 1600 mm, 243 kg
type:
skull x-ray imaging unit

Parts

Floor to Celing Support Column for Lysholm Skull X-ray

Floor to Celing Support Column for Lysholm Skull X-ray

Grey and beige floor to ceiling support column. Identification plate states property of the Queen Victoria hosp, asset number 000031. Type DS551, FAB 2615.

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall: 2400 mm x 540 mm x 240 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2020-225/ 1
type:
support column
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Perspex Table and Counterbalance for Lysholm Skull X-ray

Perspex Table and Counterbalance for Lysholm Skull X-ray

Perspex table and connected counterbalance.

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall: 1400 mm x 760 mm x 550 mm,
Materials:
plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2020-225/ 2
type:
perspex table and counterbalance
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Lead weights for Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit

Lead weights for Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall: 300 mm x 470 mm x 620 mm,
Materials:
lead (metal)
Object Number:
2020-225/3
type:
lead weights
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Three Brackets and Stand for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Three Brackets and Stand for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Three brackets, one connected to a stand which would have bolted onto the support column.

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall 2 OF 3: 170 mm x 190 mm x 100 mm,
overall 3 OF 3: 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm,
overall 1 OF 3: 860 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm,
Object Number:
2020-225/4
type:
three brackets and stand
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Eight Aperture Plates for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Eight Aperture Plates for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Eight rectangular metal Aperture plates, each with '90 For. opt Sin PA written in black'. There is also a metal ring and a square plate.

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

Object is deconstructed consisting of the floor to ceiling support column, Perspex table and counterbalance, several loose lead weights, three brackets and stand, eight apertures plates and a wooden plate holder.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall: 210 mm x 350 mm x 120 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2020-225/5
type:
eight apertures plates
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden Plate Holder for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Wooden Plate Holder for Lysholm Skull X-ray Imaging Unit

Wooden Plate Holder with 9 slots labelled 9, 24, 30, 13, Pass Petrosa Sym 1, For Opt, 18, and Pass Petrosa Sym 2.

Lysholm skull x-ray imaging unit, model DS551, made by Elema-Schonander, Sweden, used for x-ray imaging facial injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom which specialises in maxillofacial injuries, in use from 1940 until 2018.

Object is deconstructed consisting of the floor to ceiling support column, Perspex table and counterbalance, several loose lead weights, three brackets and stand, eight apertures plates and a wooden plate holder.

More

For decades, specialist equipment like the unit shown on this slide was needed to x-ray the skull. This is one of the hardest parts of the body to image because the bone there is particularly dense and hard for x-rays to penetrate. Developed in 1931 by pioneering Swedish radiologist Erik Lysholm, the x-ray unit can rotate around the patient’s head to image it from a variety of angles, without needing to readjust the patient. It also allowed for x-rays to be taken very precisely and repeatably. For example, an x-ray could be taken of either side of the head at exactly the same angle or an x-ray could be accurately repeated on a follow up visit . This was possible because the angle of the x-ray could be very precisely set. For more than 70 years, this particular unit was used in Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead – a clear demonstration of the success of its design. It was so effective that many later improvements were modelled on this unit.

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s longstanding specialism in face and jaw injuries largely dates back to the Second World War when ground-breaking surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked at the hospital. He performed pioneering plastic surgery for soldiers and airmen with facial injuries and burns.

Measurements:
overall: 250 mm x 400 mm x 60 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2020-225/6
type:
wooden plate holder
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum