X-ray Patents (Class 430/966)

Cross-Reference Art Collections

X-ray exposure process (Class 430/967)
  • Patent number: 6387578
    Abstract: A method to decrease the surface roughness of exposed PMMA surfaces has been discovered. PMMA surface roughness was decreased by a post-exposure heat treatment of less than 70° C. The optimum post-exposure heat treatment to produce a PMMA microstructures with a smooth surface was found to be about 60° C. for about 30 min. The structural features of post-exposure heat-treated PMMA patterns were not statistically different from otherwise identical features of untreated PMMA patterns. This method produces a smoother PMMA structure that may then optionally be glued on a substrate or that may be assembled with other PMMA structures into a three-dimensional or multilayer microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Kun Lian, Zhong-Geng Ling
  • Publication number: 20020042017
    Abstract: A chemically amplified positive resist composition contains as a base a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group-containing resin soluble in aqueous alkaline solution, in which acid labile groups are incorporated into at least some of the hydrogen atoms on the carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl groups so that the resin becomes insoluble or substantially insoluble in alkali, wherein the resin contains acid labile groups of at least two types, acid labile groups of one type are acetal or ketal groups, and acid labile groups of the other type are tertiary hydrocarbon groups or tertiary hydrocarbon group-containing substituents. The resist composition remains stable during vacuum standing after exposure to electron beams or soft x-rays, leaves minimal footings on chromium substrates, has an excellent sensitivity and resolution, and is thus suited as a micropatterning material for use in the processing of mask substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Hatakeyama
  • Publication number: 20020037485
    Abstract: A method has been described of preparing an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion rich in silver bromide, having {111} major faces, wherein tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.08 &mgr;m exhibit an average aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and account for at least 75%, and more preferably at least 80%, by number of hexagonal grains and a coefficient of variation on average equivalent surface area of less than 0.50, said process comprising: introducing into a temperature-controlled reaction vessel an aqueous dispersing medium and silver, bromide, and, optionally, iodide and/or chloride, and maintaining pBr values within said reaction vessel during grain nucleation and growth that favors the formation and growth of tabular grains, characterized in that at the time said tabular grains are being formed, (a) pH in said reaction vessel is maintained at a value ranging from 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Ilse Mans
  • Publication number: 20020037471
    Abstract: A pattern formation material of this invention contains a polymer including a first unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, and an acid generator:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Shinji Kishimura, Masayuki Endo, Masaru Sasago, Masamitsu Shirai, Masahiro Tsunooka
  • Patent number: 6361918
    Abstract: High speed and high contrast radiographic films can be imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having a tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support. At least one emulsion comprises a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions despite the fact that the emulsion grains have a small average thickness of from about 0.09 to about 0.11 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Carl R. Preddy
  • Patent number: 6358662
    Abstract: Localization radiographic films containing rhodium-doped, cubic grain, high silver chloride emulsions can be used in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens for therapy imaging. The average silver halide grain size is from 0.20 to about 0.30 &mgr;m, and they comprise at least 80 mol % chloride based on total silver. These films provide colder image tones and reduced processing non-uniformities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Eric L. Dillenbeck
  • Patent number: 6358661
    Abstract: High performance radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising an intensifying screen on both sides. These films having a single silver halide emulsion on each side of a film support and are free of particulate dyes that are conventionally used to control crossover. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide the desired image having visually adaptive contrast, that is the upper scale contrast is at least 1.5 times the lower scale contrast. Thus, dense objects can be better seen at the higher densities of the radiographic image without any adverse sensitometric changes in the lower scale densities. These films are useful for general-purpose radiographic imaging using a wide variety of exposure and processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Mark P. Pavlik
  • Patent number: 6350554
    Abstract: High performance, very high contrast radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having at least two tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover and a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide images having visually adaptive contrast wherein the upper scale contrast is at least 1.7 times the lower scale contrast. These films are particularly useful for orthopedic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6348293
    Abstract: A radiographic film material is described including a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated with a subbing layer, optionally overcoated with an antihalation undercoat. Coated adjacent on each side of the film support is a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion overcoated with a protective antistress layer. The emulsion layer has chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal grains or crystals, having silver iodide in an amount of at most 3 mole %, based on silver, covering at least 50% of the total projective surface of all grains, having an average grain thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m. The antistress layer, or the optional antihalation undercoat or both includes a N-amino mercapto-triazole compound containing one or more alkali soluble group(s). A radiographic screen/film combination is also described including the film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Johan Loccufier, Govert De Baecke, Freddy Henderickx, Heinrich Odenwälder
  • Patent number: 6346360
    Abstract: A radiographic film material has been provided, comprising a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated, apart from a subbing layer and, optionally, a non-light-sensitive hydrophilic layer thereupon, with at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer overcoated with a protective antistress layer, said emulsion layer(s) having chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal core-shell emulsion grains or crystals in an amount of at least 50% of the total projective grain surface of all grains, said grains being composed of a silver bromide core and a silver bromoiodide shell having an average amount over the whole crystal volume of more than 90 mole % of silver bromide, said grains further having a mean equivalent volume diameter of from 0.3 &mgr;m up to 1.0 &mgr;m and an average grain thickness of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Freddy Henderickx
  • Patent number: 6342338
    Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic film material, particularly suitable for use in radiography, has been disclosed, said material comprising a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated with a subbing layer, further coated adjacent thereto on one side (for a single-side coated material) or on both sides (for a duplitized material) of said film support and overcoated with a protective antistress layer, a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal grains, accounting for at least 50% of the total projective surface of all grains, wherein said film material is coated with a low amount of silver and wherein said protective antistress layer(s)and/or another hydrophilic non-light-sensitive layer comprise(s) a compound according to general formula (I) in an amount of at least 0.5 mmole per mole of coated silver halide, as claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Govert Wim De Baecke, Johan August Loccufier, Freddy Henderickx
  • Patent number: 6326135
    Abstract: This invention concerns a non-spectral sensitized radiographic product for exposure to ionizing radiation of energy equal to at least 40 keV containing at least 50 mg/dm2, which comprises a support covered with on at least one of its sides with a layer of silver halide emulsion in which at least 50% of the grains are tabular grains, and at least 0.05 mmol/mol Ag of a compound of formula wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an atom of hydrogen, an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 5 atoms of carbon, substituted or not, a hydroxyl group, or a benzyl group; R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen, or an alkyl group from 1 to 5 atoms of carbon, or jointly comprise the atoms necessary to form a heterocycle of 4 to 6 atoms, substituted or not. The product for industrial radiography of the invention provides an improved keeping of the latent image and higher speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard M. Droin, Jacques Roussilhe
  • Patent number: 6312882
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion comprising tabular grains containing colloidal silica sol as a protective colloid, said tabular grains having an average grain thickness of not more than 0.3 &mgr;m, an average aspect ratio of more than 12:1, a total projective area of said tabular grains of at least 50% and a coverage degree by silica sol particles within the range from 50 to 2000%, comprising following steps: precipitating in a reaction medium silver halide by means of a double-jet or triple-jet technique applied to aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and halide salts in colloidal silica having an average particle size in the range from 0.003 &mgr;m to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventor: Ann Verbeeck
  • Publication number: 20010031418
    Abstract: An radiographic imaging system for making a radiograph by a radiography apparatus using a photographic combination of a silver halide photographic light sensitive material in combination with intensifying screens, the photographic material comprising a support having a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on each of both sides of the support, wherein the radiography apparatus conducts making a radiograph under the condition that a distance between a focal point of an X-ray tube and the photographic material is 0.9 to 3.0 m, a distance between the focal point of the X-ray tube and an object is 0.5 to 2.7 m and a distance between the object and the photographic combination is 0.3 to 1.5 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Masaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6291153
    Abstract: A direct radiographic film is usefull for dental care. The film contains lower than normal amounts of silver 30-45 mg/dm2) and gelatino-vehicle 15-30 mg/dm2) in each silver halide emulsion unit but retains the ability to provide desired sensitometric results. The film comprises predominantly non-spectrally sensitized silver bromide tabular grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6280915
    Abstract: A silver halide coated photographic material is disclosed comprising sensitized silver bromide or silver bromoiodide tabular grains having an average thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, in at least one light-sensitive layer and which is characterised in that it further contains in the said light-sensitive layer and/or at least one non-light sensitive layer at least one polyoxyethylene compound comprising from about 20 to 100 mole percent recurring units of the formula (Ia) and 80 to 0 mole % recurring units of the formula and wherein R represents an aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic group, and X represents a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van den Zegel, Jan Claes, Jean-Marie Dewanckele
  • Patent number: 6280906
    Abstract: An EUV radiation source unit (10) for use in a lithographic projection apparatus to illuminate a mask pattern (22) which is to be projected on a substrate (W) comprises an electron source (12) and a medium in which the electrons of the source generate EUV Cherenkov radiation (PB). The wavelengths of the Cherenkov radiation and the multilayer structure of the mirrors (31-34) of the projection system (30) are adapted to each other, so that these mirrors show a maximum reflectivity. The medium forms part of the mask (MA) so that a mirror condenser system is no longer needed. In this way, an efficient transmission of radiation (PB) from the source to the substrate is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Josephus J. M. Braat, Jan Verhoeven
  • Patent number: 6277551
    Abstract: In a screen/film system offering a suitable method for radiological image formation the film material comprises a {111} tabular silver chlor(oiod)ide emulsion comprising a binder and silver chlor(oiod)ide crystals having at least 90 mole % of silver chloride, accounting for at least 50% of the total projective surface of said crystals, further having an average thickness of less than 0.3 &mgr;m, an average crystal diameter of more than 0.5 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio more of than 2:1, wherein said tabular crystals have been spectrally sensitized with blue and/or green spectral sensitizers, characterized in that said crystals have been doped with at least one of a hexa-coordinated metal complex ion having at least 4 fluorine atoms according to the formula (I) as explained more in detail in the description and in the claims [ML6−nFn]m−  (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventor: Dirk Vandenbroucke
  • Patent number: 6265135
    Abstract: A positive-working electron beam or X-ray resist composition comprising: (a) a compound capable of generating an acid by irradiation of an electron beam or X-ray; (b) a resin containing a group which is decomposable by action of an acid to increase solubility in an alkali developing solution or (e) a resin insoluble in water and soluble in the alkali developing solution; and (c) a fluorine and/or silicon surfactant, the compound capable of generating an acid by irradiation of an electron beam or X-ray being a compound which generates benzenesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid or anthracenesulfonic acid which is substituted by at least one fluorine atom and/or at least one group containing a fluorine atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kodama, Toshiaki Aoai, Kazuya Uenishi
  • Patent number: 6232058
    Abstract: A high quality direct radiographic film is useful for dental care. The film contains relatively high silver coverage preferably coated on both sides of the support. It also contains sufficient silver halide desensitizer to reduce silver halide sensitivity to X-radiation by at least 0.02 log E. The combination of silver and desensitizer coverages provides sufficiently high photographic speed, excellent image quality and increased stability to background radiation sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Richard E. Beal, Franklin C. Brayer, Catherine C. Wideman
  • Patent number: 6225027
    Abstract: A photolithography system that employs a condenser that includes a series of aspheric mirrors on one side of a small, incoherent source of radiation producing a series of beams is provided. Each aspheric mirror images the quasi point source into a curved line segment. A relatively small arc of the ring image is needed by the camera; all of the beams are so manipulated that they all fall onto this same arc needed by the camera. Also, all of the beams are aimed through the camera's virtual entrance pupil. The condenser includes a correcting mirror for reshaping a beam segment which improves the overall system efficiency. The condenser efficiently fills the larger radius ringfield created by today's advanced camera designs. The system further includes (i) means for adjusting the intensity profile at the camera's entrance pupil or (ii) means for partially shielding the illumination imaging onto the mask or wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: EUV LLC
    Inventors: William C. Replogle, William C. Sweatt
  • Patent number: 6210865
    Abstract: Condenser system for use with a ringfield camera in projection lithography where the condenser includes a series of segments of a parent aspheric mirror having one foci at a quasi-point source of radiation and the other foci at the radius of a ringfield have all but one or all of their beams translated and rotated by sets of mirrors such that all of the beams pass through the real entrance pupil of a ringfield camera about one of the beams and fall onto the ringfield radius as a coincident image as an arc of the ringfield. The condenser has a set of correcting mirrors with one of the correcting mirrors of each set, or a mirror that is common to said sets of mirrors, from which the radiation emanates, is a concave mirror that is positioned to shape a beam segment having a chord angle of about 25 to 85 degrees into a second beam segment having a chord angle of about 0 to 60 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: EUV LLC
    Inventors: William C. Sweatt, Donald W. Sweeney, David Shafer, James McGuire
  • Patent number: 6180292
    Abstract: A precise thickness bulk etchable wafer material, that is responsive to protection with an oxide that inhibits insertion of an etch responsiveness altering material, is assembled with a membrane material that is susceptible to deposition processes. A bulk etch then removes most of the wafer. The arrangement permits the strength and rigidity of the bulk spacer to serve to permit the finely controllable deposition processes for ultra thin and wider ranges of membrane materials, the selective protection for spacer shaping and finally, the removal by the low stress process of etching, of the unused bulk spacer material. An oxide layer is patterned on a bulk spacer material wafer that has a thickness of the gap between an X-ray mask and the to be patterned oxide. The oxide on the bulk spacer material prevents conversion, through the exposed surface of the bulk spacer material wafer, of a portion of the wafer that is to serve as the spacer to a different etch responsiveness from that of the bulk spacer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raul Edmundo Acosta, Marie Angelopoulos, Steven Allen Cordes
  • Patent number: 6159413
    Abstract: A laminated substrate is prepared, the laminated substrate having two layers including a first film and a second film in tight contact with the first film, the second film being made of a material capable of being etched with synchrotron radiation light. A mask member with a pattern is disposed in tight contact with the surface of the second film of the laminated structure or at a distance from the surface of the second film, the pattern of the mask member being made of a material not transmitting the synchrotron radiation light. The synchrotron radiation light is applied on a partial surface area of the second film via the mask member to etch the second film where the synchrotron radiation light is applied and to expose a partial surface area of the first film on the bottom of an etched area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Katoh, Yanping Zhang
  • Patent number: 6127105
    Abstract: A photographic silver halide material is disclosed which comprises a support and on one or both sides thereof at least one silver halide emulsion layer and a protective antistress layer of hydrophilic colloid and which comprises in an outermost layer on the side(s) containing at least one emulsion layer a polyoxyalkylene compound as an antistatic agent, characterized in that said antistress layer comprises at least one synthetic clay. In addition to the preservation of antistatic properties after processing of the said material an improvement in surface glare as appreciated upon examination of medical X-ray films is obtained. Moreover the occurrence after processing of water spot defects and sticking is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventor: Hubert Vandenabeele
  • Patent number: 6127109
    Abstract: A silver halide light sensitive photographic material is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon hydrophilic colloid layers including a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein (i) at least 50% of the total projected area of silver halide grains contained in the emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular grains having an aspect ratio of 3 to 15, (ii) the tabular grains each comprising an inner region which accounts for 70% by volume of the grain and a residual outer region, the outer region containing at least 75% of total iodide contained in the grain, and (iii) the tabular grains each having an outermost layer, a halide content distribution among the tabular grains with respect to the outermost layer being not more than 20%; and wherein at least one of the hydrophilic colloid layers contains a sulfur containing compound, which has a water-solubilizing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Goan
  • Patent number: 6117626
    Abstract: A mammographic silver halide photosensitive material has at least one photosensitive emulsion layer on either one surface of a support. The emulsion layer is formed of a silver halide emulsion having an iodide content of less than 0.9 mol % based on silver. The photosensitive material exhibits a contrast of 3.7-4.8 as determined by processing the material by specific Developing Process (1). The photosensitive material is combined with a radiographic intensifying screen of Gd.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Tb phosphor having a CTF of 0.40-1.00 at a spatial frequency of 5 lp/mm to construct a photographic combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Yamane, Takayoshi Oyamada
  • Patent number: 6107008
    Abstract: An object comprised of a curable material and formed by stereolithography or another three-dimensional prototyping method, in which the object has undergone initial curing, is subjected to post-curing by ionizing radiation, such as an electron beam having a predetermined beam output energy, which is applied in a predetermined dosage and at a predetermined dose rate. The post-cured object exhibits a property profile which is superior to that which existed prior to the ionizing radiation post-curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignees: Lockheed Martin Energy Research, Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Howell, Claude C. Eberle, Christopher J. Janke
  • Patent number: 6093520
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of microstructures and devices. The method is relatively easy to implement, and has the capability to produce features having a resolution of ten microns or smaller with a high aspect ratio (60, 75, 100, 200, or even higher). A master mask, appropriately designed and fabricated, is used in an initial exposure step with visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, an electron beam, or an ion beam to make a "transfer mask" directly on the surface of the sample. It is not necessary to produce an expensive x-ray master mask, even if x-ray exposure of the sample is desired. There is no necessity for gap control during exposure of the resist through the transfer mask. The resulting structures may, if desired, have a higher aspect ratio than microstructures that have previously been produced through other methods. The "transfer mask" is not a unit separate from the sample, but is formed directly on the surface of each sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Yuli Vladimirsky, Olga Vladimirsky, Volker Saile
  • Patent number: 6087080
    Abstract: A negative-acting silver halide photographic element comprising a hydrophilic colloidal binder containing a silver halide emulsion and from 50 to 1000 milligrams of an anthraquinone per mole of silver halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., James E. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6080536
    Abstract: A method has been described of preparing a photosensitive emulsion comprising tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, having {100} major faces and an aspect ratio more than 1.5, wherein at least 50% of the projected area of all grains is provided by said {100} tabular grains, said method comprising the step of running in a reaction vessel an aqueous silver salt solution and an aqueous alkali halide solution rich in alkali bromide, characterized in that before starting running said reaction vessel comprises in an aqueous solution of gelatin an amount of amino-modified polyvinyl alcohol as an aqueous soluble polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Eddy Michiels, Gunter Helling
  • Patent number: 6048096
    Abstract: An image-forming system for radiological imaging is described consisting of an intensifying screen comprising on a support at least one layer of a green-light emitting phosphor and, in operative association therewith, a prehardened light-sensitive photographic silver halide film material, comprising a support and on both sides thereof one or more hydrophilic colloid layers having monodisperse cubic silver chloroiodide grains with a mean crystal diameter of from 0.40 .mu.m up to 0.65 .mu.m or {111} tabular silver chloroiodide grains having an aspect ratio of from 5 to 20 and a tabularity from 20 to 200; wherein said grains have been spectrally sensitized in the green wavelength range and have been coated in a total amount of silver per sq.m. of from 6 g up to 8 g, expressed as an equivalent amount of silver nitrate per sq.m.; wherein in the image-forming system silver chloroiodide grains have been chemically sensitized with one or more selenide compound(s) generating silver selenide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Freddy Henderickx, Johan Loccufier, Peter Verrept
  • Patent number: 6045984
    Abstract: A silver halide light sensitive photographic material is disclosed, comprising component layers including a silver halide emulsion layer and a hydrophilic colloid layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer comprises tabular grains and at least one of the component layers layers contains a leuco compound capable of forming a dye upon reaction with an oxidation product of a developing agent; the tabular grains 1) having (111) major faces, and exhibiting an average equivalent circular diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 .mu.m and an average thickness of 0.07 to 0.3 .mu.m, 2) including epitaxially deposited silver halide protrusions of a face-centered cubic crystal lattice structure forming epitaxial junctions with the tabular grains, and 3) the protrusion being located on peripheral portions of the tabular grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6042986
    Abstract: Portal localization radiographic elements and a process of confirming the targeting of a beam of X-radiation of from 4 to 25 MVp using the portal radiographic elements are disclosed. The X-radiation is directed at a subject containing features that are identifiable by differing levels of X-radiation absorption. After a first X-radiation exposure a shield containing a portal is placed between the subject and the source of X-radiation. X-radiation is directed at the subject through the portal. In each instance the X-radiation leaving the subject impinges on a metal screen, causing it to emit electrons, and the electrons impinge upon a fluorescent screen, causing it to emit light, creating during the first and second exposures first and second superimposed latent images in the radiographic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Stephen A. Hershey, James C. Bolthouse
  • Patent number: 6037112
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive medical diagnostic film for soft tissue imaging, particularly mammography, is disclosed. The film allows more rapid processing than films currently available for mammographic imaging and maintains acceptably high levels of image sharpness and low levels of mottle. The radiographic film records medical diagnostic images of soft tissue through (a) exposure by a single intensifying screen located to receive an image bearing source of X-radiation and (b) processing, including development, fixing and drying, in 90 seconds or less comprised of a film support transparent to radiation emitted by the intensifying screen and having opposed front and back major faces and an image-forming portion for providing, when imagewise exposed by the intensifying screen and processed, an average contrast in the range of from 2.5 to 3.5, measured over a density above fog of from 0.25 to 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6033840
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive medical diagnostic film for soft tissue imaging, particularly mammography, is disclosed. The film allows more rapid processing than films currently available for mammographic imaging and maintains acceptably high levels of image sharpness and low levels of mottle. The radiographic film records medical diagnostic images of soft tissue through (a) exposure by a single intensifying screen located to receive an image bearing source of X-radiation and (b) processing, including development, fixing and drying, in 90 seconds or less comprised of a film support transparent to radiation emitted by the intensifying screen and having opposed front and back major faces and an image-forming portion for providing, when imagewise exposed by the intensifying screen and processed, an average contrast in the range of from 2.5 to 3.5, measured over a density above fog of from 0.25 to 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6030757
    Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic material is disclosed, said material comprising a support and on both sides thereof two light-sensitive emulsion layers and a protective antistress layer as an outermost layer, wherein per side of the support a total amount of silver, expressed as equivalent amount of silver nitrate of at least 5 g is coated, wherein the light-sensitive emulsion layer more close to the said outermost layer is provided with at least one spectrally sensitized silver halide emulsion having tabular emulsion crystals with {111} or {100} major faces, and wherein the emulsion layer more close to the said support is provided with at least one non-spectrally sensitized emulsion having essentially cubic silver halide emulsion crystals, characterized in that the said cubic emulsion crystals or the said tabular emulsion crystals or both have a halide composition including bromide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Heremans, Ann Verbeeck
  • Patent number: 6027866
    Abstract: A silver halide photographic element has a silver halide emulsion layer primarily containing tabular silver halide grains and a hydrophilic colloid layer, either of which contains a pigment with a maximum absorption wavelength of 570-650 nm dispersed in lipophilic droplets of a high-boiling organic solvent. The photographic element has a high sensitivity and high silver covering power, and is improved in the transmission and reflection blackness of image silver and staining of fluorescent intensifying screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ohzeki
  • Patent number: 6020118
    Abstract: A silver halide photographic material has at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least one non-photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layer on a support. The silver coverage per surface is 1.0-2.2 g/m.sup.2. The silver halide emulsion layer contains silver halide grains wherein tabular silver halide grains having an aspect ratio of at least 5 account for at least 50% of the entire projected area of silver halide grains. The silver halide grains have been grown on pure silver bromide or silver chlorobromide grains as nuclei so as to form silver iodobromide or silver chloroiodobromide having a silver iodide content of 0.1-3.20 mol % at the end of growth. This X-ray photosensitive material having high sensitivity and sharpness is used with a regular screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Hashi, Kazuaki Miyashita, Junichi Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 6017682
    Abstract: A solid state chain extension method provides for the formation of a solid state film comprised of a high molecular weight polymer by chain extending a deblocked Lewis base with Lewis acid oligomers while the reactants are in a solid state form. In one embodiment, a negative resist is prepared by selectively exposing regions of the solid state film. The Lewis base is deblocked at the exposed regions by a suitable deblocking means. The Lewis acid oligomers and the deblocked Lewis base chain extend at the exposed regions. Development of the film removes the non-polymerized reactants. Optionally, the Lewis acid oligomers, when radiation-cross-linking, are cross-linked with one another prior to deblocking the Lewis base to form a negative resist. The cross-linked oligomers polymerize with the subsequently deblocked base to provide a high molecular weight polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Internatonal Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marie Angelopoulos, Claudius Feger, Jeffrey Donald Gelorme, Jane Margaret Shaw
  • Patent number: 5998083
    Abstract: An image-forming system for radiological imaging is disclosed said system consisting of an intensifying screen comprising on a support at least one layer of a green-light emitting phosphor and, in operative association therewith, a prehardened light-sensitive photographic silver halide film material, comprising a support and on both sides thereof one or more hydrophilic colloid layers, said layers being hardened to such an extent that their swelling degree is reduced to less than 200% after immersing said material for 2 minutes in demineralised water of 35.degree. C.; further comprising in at least one of said hydrophilic layers chemically ripened, monodisperse essentially cubic silver chloroiodide grains having a mean crystal diameter of from 0.40 mm up to 0.65 mm; wherein said grains have been spectrally sensitised in the wavelength range between 520 and 580 nm, have a maximum absorption between 540 and 500 nm and have been coated in a total amount of silver per sq.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Freddy Henderickx, Dirk Vandenbroucke, Peter Verrept
  • Patent number: 5989760
    Abstract: A substrate (10) having a central region (32) and a peripheral region (34) is processed using a chuck (40) that contacts peripheral regions (34) of the substrate but not the central region. A fabrication step is performed while the substrate (10) is on the chuck (40, 60, 70). The chuck can be used in the formation of a lithographic mask or a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Pawitter Jit Singh Mangat, William Joseph Dauksher
  • Patent number: 5989799
    Abstract: A radiographic screen/film combination or system has been provided comprising a duplitized film sandwiched between a pair of supporting or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens, characterized in that i) said pair of supported or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens essentially consists of luminescent phosphor particles emitting at least 50% and more preferably at least 80% of their emitted radiation in the wavelength range shorter than 380 nm, as e.g. a niobium and gadolinium doped, monoclinic M, yttriumtantalate (MYT) phosphor corresponding to formula IYTaO.sub.4 :Gd:Nb (I),ii) said film comprises {111} tabular silver halide grains rich in silver chloride, spectrally sensitive to irradiation in the said wavelength range shorter than 380 nm by the presence of at least one azacyanine dye as a spectral sensitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert. N.V.
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Peter Verrept, Paul Callant, Koenraad Caron
  • Patent number: 5972590
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a radiographic product which makes it possible to obtain an image with no residual yellow coloring. The radiographic product comprises at least one photosensitive silver halide tabular grain emulsion spectrally sensitized with a spectral sensitizing dye in the blue region having an emission peak between 400 and 500 nm, and an optical brightener derived from 4,4'-diaminostilbene disulfonic acid having at least three anionic sulfo groups, put in the photosensitive layer of the radiographic products or in at least one layer situated between the photo-sensitive layer and the support. The radiographic product is applicable to radiographic systems including one or two intensifying screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard A. Friour, Francoise M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5965318
    Abstract: A photographic silver halide material and a method using said material for mammography are disclosed. The photographic material has a large dynamic range and a high contrast, so that lesions deep in the glandular tissue are accurately detected, and also clearly depicts thin tissue such as the skin line of the breast. The sensitometric curve of optical density versus logarithmic exposure logE of said photographic material is characterised by (i) an average gradation of at least 3.5 between Dmin+1.0 and Dmin+2.5; and (ii) a local gradient ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 and an optical density not higher than 3.5 at the point where logE equals SP+0.8 (SP being defined as the logE at which the optical density equals Dmin+1.0); and (iii) an optical density of at least 3.7 at the point where logE equals SP+1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Rudy Goedeweeck, Guy Vastenaeken, Luc Heremans, Kathy Elst
  • Patent number: 5965337
    Abstract: A system for industrial radiography is disclosed comprised of (1) an industrial radiographic element comprised of a support covered on each of its major faces with a tabular grain emulsion layer in which at least 50 percent of total grain projected area is accounted for by silver bromide tabular grains having an average aspect ratio of at least 2 and a volume greater than 0.03 .mu.m.sup.3 and (2) disposed on opposite sides of the radiographic element, two intensifying screens designed to emit electrons when exposed to X or gamma rays with an energy greater than or equal to 10 kV. A speed improvement is realized upon exposure and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard Maurice Droin, Gerard Amede Desire Friour
  • Patent number: 5962209
    Abstract: A silver halide light sensitive photographic material is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer containing silver halide grains, wherein at least 50% of the total projected area of silver halide grains contained in the silver halide emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular silver halide grains having an aspect ratio of 2 to 15, (100) major faces with an edge ratio of 1 to 2, and a silver chloride content of 50 mol % or more; and the emulsion layer further containing a leuco compound capable of forming a blue dye upon reaction with an oxidation product of a developing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Marui
  • Patent number: 5955249
    Abstract: A radiographic element is disclosed containing in a high bromide tabular grain emulsion layer a 5-mercaptotetrazole to increase covering power. The 5-mercaptotetrazole is additionally capable of increasing imaging speed and producing colder image tones when provided with a phenyl substituent in the 1 ring position, which phenyl substituent is in turn substituted in its para position with a substituent satisfying the formula R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n O-- wherein n is an integer of from zero to 5; when n is 1 to 5, R is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; and, when n is zero, R is methyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Jerome J. Looker
  • Patent number: 5952163
    Abstract: A direct X-ray dental film is disclosed that, following imagewise exposure, can be removed from its opaque package and processed in room light. The film is comprised of emulsion and protective layers that contain dye particles which can be decolorized during processing. The dye particles provide an average density of greater than 3.0 over a spectral range of above 320 nm over which the silver halide exhibits an absorption coefficient of at least 0.5 cm.sup.-1. For additional protection the emulsion layers contain desensitizer adsorbed to the silver halide grains to reduce their sensitivity to light without significantly reducing their sensitivity to X-radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Baugher, Robert E. Dickerson, Alan S. Fitterman
  • Patent number: 5952162
    Abstract: A silver halide film for reproducing digitally stored medical diagnostic images through exposure and processing, including development, fixing and drying, in 90 seconds or less is disclosed in which onto a film support transparent to exposing radiation are coated (1) a processing solution permeable front layer unit coated on the front major face of the support capable of absorbing up to 60 percent of the exposing radiation and containing less than 30 mg/dm.sup.2 of hydrophilic colloid and less than 20 mg/dm.sup.2 silver in the form of radiation-sensitive silver halide grains and (2) a processing solution permeable back layer unit coated on the back major face of the support containing less than 40 mg/dm.sup.2 of hydrophilic colloid, silver in the form of radiation-sensitive silver halide grains accounting for from 40 to 60 percent of the total radiation-sensitive silver halide present in the film, and a dye capable of providing an optical density of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Wray E. Paul