With Antiscatter Means Patents (Class 378/186)
  • Patent number: 8842809
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for x-ray radiography and apparatus for use in x-ray radiography. Specific embodiments can utilize a grid having a plurality of apertures therethrough with optical waveguides positioned in the apertures. The optical waveguides can incorporate a scintillating material, preferably throughout, that absorbs incident x-ray radiation and emits light that is then guided by the optical waveguide. In a specific embodiment, x-ray radiation incident on a first end of the aperture is absorbed by the scintillating material in the optical waveguide and light is emitted by the same scintillating material, a portion of which is guided by the optical waveguide to a second end of the aperture. In addition, secondary electrons created by absorption of the x-ray radiation by the scintillating material can be absorbed by the scintillating material to create more light such that a magnification effect can occur. The light exiting the second end of the aperture can then be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv Singh Samant, Arun Gopal
  • Patent number: 7896546
    Abstract: A method of installing an x-ray grid into a CR cassette by opening the cassette, modifying parts of it, installing the grid and then re-closing the cassette with the grid inside. The preferred embodiment installs an x-ray grid into a Fuji 14×17 inch CR cassette by modifying parts that will interfere with the grid, removing a layer of protective material and placing the grid where the layer was, and then replacing the protective material by attaching it to the grid with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Reina Imaging X-Ray Cassette Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Reina, James Sorgani
  • Patent number: 7775712
    Abstract: A modified grid cabinet or “bucky” assembly intended for use with a digital imaging system and dimensioned and structured to retrofit a conventional film type x-ray device originally intended for use in combination with a conventional film bucky. The bucky assembly includes a frame having an at least partially hollow interior and a tray movably connected to the frame and slidably positionable between an outwardly extending open position and an inwardly disposed closed position. The tray is structured to support and position a digital sensor into an imaging position relative to the operative image capturing components of the digital imaging system. The tray includes a retaining assembly disposed and structured to removably retain the digital sensor in any a plurality of operative orientations including a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Virtual Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Thomas Thieman
  • Patent number: 7456393
    Abstract: A device is provided for testing surfaces of a card for the presence of explosives, drugs or other substances of interest. The device includes a slot for receiving the card. Thin metallic wiper blades are dispose in alignment with the slot and wipe over surfaces of the card as the card is passed through the slot. Thus, substances on the surface of the card are transferred to the wiper blade. The wiper blade then is enclosed and rapidly heated to desorb the material retrieved from the card. The enclosure then is placed in communication with a detector to test for the presence of substances of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Napoli
  • Patent number: 7329045
    Abstract: A grid assembly for use with an imaging cassette. The grid assembly includes an anti-scatter grid having a length and opposing first and second ends; first and second transport members disposed proximate the first and second ends, respectively, of the grid; at least one first roller disposed at the first end of the grid; at least one second roller disposed at the second end of the grid; and a pair of support members disposed substantially perpendicular to the length and proximate the opposing ends of the grid in spaced relationship to form a slot having an opening proximate one side of the grid adapted to removably slidably receive the imaging cassette adjacent the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Dea, Xiaohui Wang, Salvatore C. Defazio, David E. Foeller
  • Patent number: 7165884
    Abstract: A grid assembly for use with an imaging cassette, for example, a computed radiography cassette, particularly an elongated radiography cassette. The grid assembly includes: an anti-scatter grid; a radiographically translucent enclosure housing the anti-scatter grid and having two ends; a transport member disposed proximate a first end of the enclosure; at least one roller disposed proximate a second end of the enclosure; and a receiving member attached to the enclosure and adapted to removably receive and secure the imaging cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dennis James O'Dea, Xiaohui Wang, Salvatore Castrenze DeFazio
  • Patent number: 6850597
    Abstract: An X-ray image photographing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion for obtaining an X-ray distribution transmitted through an object, a grid detecting system having a construction for obtaining information from a grid side by the action of inserting the grid for decreasing scattered rays into the apparatus, and detecting at least one of the presence or absence of the grid, the kind of the grid and the presence or absence of the replacement of the grid by the use of the construction, an image processing system for image processing and outputting image data collected by the image obtaining portion, and a memory portion preserving therein a plurality of sets of image processing parameters for controlling the image processing system. The image processing system selects the image processing parameters preserved in the memory on the basis of at least the result of the detection by the grid detecting system and executes image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6610977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening an object for the presence of an explosive, chemical warfare agent, biological warfare agent, drug, metal, weapon, and/or radioactive material. The apparatus includes a portal through which the object is arranged to pass, the portal including a housing equipped with an ion mobility spectrometer and a surface acoustic wave device for detecting explosives, drugs and chemical warfare agents. In another embodiment the housing is equipped with a biological warfare agent detector, chemical warfare agent detector, metal detector, x-ray system, and/or radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford Megerle
  • Patent number: 6501829
    Abstract: An X-ray image photographing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion for obtaining an X-ray distribution transmitted through an object, a grid detecting system having a construction for obtaining information from a grid side by the action of inserting the grid for decreasing scattered rays into the apparatus, and detecting at least one of the presence or absence of the grid, the kind of the grid and the presence or absence of the replacement of the grid by the use of the construction, an image processing system for image processing and outputting image data collected by the image obtaining portion, and a memory portion preserving therein a plurality of sets of image processing parameters for controlling the image processing system. The image processing system selects the image processing parameters preserved in the memory on the basis of at least the result of the detection by the grid detecting system and executes image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 5809107
    Abstract: A receptacle (3, 13) for an anti-scatter grid (4) and the anti-scatter grid (4) of a catapult grid drawer (1) are constructed such that the anti-scatter grid (4) is held in the receptacle (3, 13) only in a predetermined orientation. In accordance with one variant, guides (5, 6) of the receptacle (3) cooperate with edges (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the anti-scatter grid (4) so that together they form a key and slot connection. In accordance with a further variant of the invention, e.g. the anti-scatter grid (4) is provided with a machine-readable code (14). A reader (15) for the code (14) as well as a lock (19) controlled by a signal from the reader (15) are provided in the region of the receptacle (13). The lock (19) releases the access to the receptacle (13) only if the predetermined orientation between the grid (4) and the receptacle (13) exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5574768
    Abstract: A screen film cassette for radiographic use. The cassette includes front and rear screen-film combinations housed in container, and each screen-film combination includes a pair of intensifying screens which sandwich a film. A dividing filter is located between the two screen-film combinations to improve X-ray beam intensity incident on the back screen-film combination. The filter also reduces the transfer of visible light energy or K-characteristic photon energy, generated in one screen-film combination during the imaging process, to the adjacent screen-film combination. The invention provides for improved radiographic film contrast and image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: The University of Sydney
    Inventor: Donald McLean
  • Patent number: 5332909
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation image converting apparatus which employs an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate which is rigid or low in flexibility, and it is an object of the invention to provide a radiation image converting apparatus which prevents radiations having passed through an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate from being scattered and irradiated upon the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent plate again and achieves miniaturization of the equipment and simplification in structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Ishiwata, Siro Takeda, Fumihiro Namiki, Takahiro Haraki, Hideyuki Hirano
  • Patent number: 5276333
    Abstract: An x-ray cassette having a shell, an x-ray grid disposed within the shell, and a photographic element removably disposed within the shell. The photographic element is supported substantially independently of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5259016
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging assembly is disclosed comprised of (I) a front and back pair of intensifying screens, (II) a radiographic element mounted between the intensifying screens, and (III) a collimating grid The front screen being chosen to exhibit modulation transfer factors greater than those of reference curve A in FIG. 2 . The radiographic element is comprised of a transparent film support, a front silver halide emulsion layer unit coated on the support and located adjacent the front intensifying screen, a back silver halide emulsion layer unit coated on the support and located adjacent the back intensifying screen, and means for reducing crossover to less than 10 percent. The X-ray collimating grid, located to receive X-radiation prior to the front screen, is comprised of an X-ray opaque material forming an array of at least 85 X-ray transmission apertures per inch providing at least 50 percent open area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 5083665
    Abstract: A novel process for the packaging of double-side coated X-ray films is described. This process employs the use of plastic or plastic or polymer coated cardboard as top and bottom stiffening members in a stack of sheets of the X-ray film. The top and bottom sheets of film packaged in this manner will harden in the same way as the remainder of the sheets whereas film packaged with conventional, plain cardboard stiffening members will not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Allan R. Schoenberg, Davie W. Summey, James B. Kisner, Kenneth W. Frady, John D. Wood, Mark J. Zdanowicz, James L. Lancaster, Stanley A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5050198
    Abstract: In X-ray photography by an X-ray equipment, grid images based on only a grid are acquired by a grid image generating circuit under various photograph conditions, and are stored in image memories. A subject image based on a subject to be examined is acquired under a predetermined photograph condition. A grid image which is acquired under the same photograph condition as that of the subject image or under a condition similar thereto is read out from a corresponding image memory. The subject image and the readout grid image are regulated by gain regulators to have the same gain. The subject image is then divided by the grid image in the divider. As a result, the subject image without the grid image can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Michitaka Honda
  • Patent number: 5033046
    Abstract: A device of x-ray intensifying and anti-diffusion screens, for intra-oral dental radiographic plates of the kind employing a hermetic chassis cassette with a front and a back protective plate and having at least one intensifying plate emulsified with "rare earths", preferably gadolinium or lanthanum salts, related to one of the faces of the radio-graphic film to which it is faced. There is also an anti-diffusion plate made of metallic threads of predetermined thickness arranged in horizontal and vertical rows. This anti-diffusion plate is interposed between the object to by x-rayed and the intensifying screen and radiographic film, presenting between the anti-diffusion reticulated plate and the front intensifying screen, a separating plate of compressible material, and between the back protective plate and the back intensifying plate and/or the radiographic film, a plate of non-radiographic material, preferably lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Jose M. Romero
  • Patent number: 5008920
    Abstract: An x-ray film cassette is disclosed having a pair of covers at least one of which is resilient and prestressed to arch inwardly when the cassette is opened and to flatten from contact with the interior contents of the cassette when the cassette is pressed closed. A flexible x-ray grid is bonded to the interior of the cover to arch and flatten congruently with the cover. The grid is flexible enough to arch and flatten congruently with the resilient cover which protects the structural integrity of the grid by limiting flexing of the grid to predetermined limits defined by the degree of prestress of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventor: Ronald P. Gralak
  • Patent number: 4943991
    Abstract: A contoured X-ray imaging system consists of an X-ray source and X-ray film holding cassette for taking X-ray pictures closely adjacent to a body surface without unnecessary exposure of adjacent body parts to X-rays. The X-ray cassette is contoured to the outline of a structure or a body part to evaluate it without the radiation spreading unnecessarily to the adjacent areas. The X-ray cassette is a thin flat box which has an edge wall contoured outline of the subject or an adjacent structure. The X-ray source and intervening shields or the like are each configured to project an X-ray beam which is contoured in the same contour as the film-holding cassette so that the X-rays reach the film in the same contour as avoid unnecessary exposure of adjacent portions of the body to the X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Richard A. Mosby
  • Patent number: 4637043
    Abstract: An X-ray sheet film cassette is assembled of a bottom wall, side walls and a cover hinged to an upper part of one side wall. The lower part of the one side wall adjoining the bottom wall is reduced in thickness to form an abutment for the sheet film. The inner surface of the cover is provided with a resilient pressing pad which during the closing of the cover urges the sheet film against the abutment and in the closed condition of the cassette presses the film against the bottom. In this manner, when taking X-ray pictures of a part of patient's body which forms an angle relative to another body part, the unexposed section of the first mentioned body part which is adjacent the other body part, is minimized and well defined in position relative to the other body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert AG
    Inventor: Walter Bauer
  • Patent number: 4438164
    Abstract: A container for X-ray films is of the type wherein at least one side of the film is contacted by a stratum of fluorescent material. The fluorescent material is biased against the respective side or sides of the film by two layers which consist of ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material, flank the film and attract each other. Such layers can be applied to the inner or outer sides of sheet-like carriers consisting of synthetic plastic material. The aforedescribed film, stratum or strata, layers and carriers may but need not be inserted into the space between the rigid or flexible walls of an envelope. The envelope can be dispensed with if the carriers consist of opaque material. Since each of the two carriers can support the respective layer and the respective stratum of fluorescent material, the thickness of the entire package is minimal and the film can be placed into close proximity of one or more objects to be imaged so as to obtain sharp images of such object or objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeifer, Alfred Rheude
  • Patent number: 4380087
    Abstract: In an X-ray film cassette, a front cover and a bottom cover are severally formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastics. A grid member for the removal of scattered X-rays is bonded to the inside of a panel of the front cover, and a coating layer for protection is provided to cover the whole surface of the grid member on the exposed side thereof. The coating layer is also formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Tanaka
  • Patent number: RE35284
    Abstract: An X-ray sheet film cassette is assembled of a bottom wall, side walls and a cover hinged to an upper part of one side wall. The lower part of the one side wall adjoining the bottom wall is reduced in thickness to form an abutment for the sheet film. The inner surface of the cover is provided with a resilient pressing pad which during the closing of the cover urges the sheet film against the abutment and in the closed condition of the cassette presses the film against the bottom. In this manner, when taking X-ray pictures of a part of patient's body which forms an angle relative to another body part, the unexposed section of the first mentioned body part which is adjacent the other body part, is minimized and well defined in position relative to the other body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, AG
    Inventor: Walter Bauer