Hirtz compass

Hirtz compass is a medical instrument used in radiology to locate the exact position of foreign bodies in the human body. It was invented by Dr. Adolf Hirtz in the early 20th century.

History

The Hirtz compass was invented by Dr. Adolf Hirtz, a French radiologist, in the early 20th century. It was designed to help locate foreign bodies in the human body, such as bullets or shrapnel, which were common injuries during the World Wars.

Design

The Hirtz compass is a mechanical device that uses the principles of geometry and trigonometry to locate foreign bodies. It consists of a base plate, a vertical rod, and a horizontal arm. The base plate is placed on the patient's body, and the vertical rod is adjusted to the same height as the foreign body. The horizontal arm is then moved until it points directly at the foreign body. The location of the foreign body is then read off the scales on the base plate and the vertical rod.

Use

The Hirtz compass is used in conjunction with X-ray imaging. The patient is first X-rayed from two different angles, and the position of the foreign body is marked on the X-ray images. The Hirtz compass is then used to triangulate the exact position of the foreign body in the patient's body.

Limitations

While the Hirtz compass is a useful tool in locating foreign bodies, it has its limitations. It can only locate foreign bodies that are visible on X-ray images, and it cannot locate foreign bodies that are deep within the body or near vital organs.

See also

• Radiology
• X-ray
• Adolf Hirtz

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