Abstract: A process for the collection and presentation of an X-ray image stored in a phosphor layer, includes the steps of: collecting information in an area of the phosphor layer and in an area adjacent to, and outside of, the phosphor layer; dividing the information collected into image information and edge information, taking into account a run of the information collected, whereby the image information corresponds to the information collected in the area of the phosphor layer, and the edge information corresponds to the information collected in the area adjacent to, and outside of, the phosphor layer; and presenting the image information.

Abstract: Device for detecting information which is contained in a phosphor layer, with multiple individual radiation sources for emitting stimulation light incident upon the phosphor layer along a stimulation line and suitable for stimulating emission light in the phosphor layer, and a detector for detecting the emission light which is stimulated in the phosphor layer. To ensure the highest possible quality of the detected image, an elongated concave mirror is provided, for focusing the stimulation light emitted by the individual radiation sources onto the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A method of creating a gradation curve for gradation processing of a medical image represented by a digital signal representation to generate a gradation processed image wherein the shape of the gradation curve and signal range for which the gradation curve is defined are deduced from the digital signal representation and wherein the gradation processed image has a fixed density and fixed contrast value in a diagnostically most relevant area.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer (4) includes an irradiation device (13) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (4) with stimulation radiation (14) and a detection device (16) for collecting emission radiation (15) which the storage phosphor layer (4) emits as a result of the irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation (14). The irradiation device (13) and the detection device (16) are fixedly or rigidly associated with one another. Furthermore, an actuation device (8) is provided for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (4) on the one hand and the irradiation device (13) and the detection device (16) on the other hand. According to the invention, the apparatus (1) includes acquiring unit (19, 19?, 20, 20?, 21, 21?) for acquiring a speed of the relative movement. In this way, in a technically simple way, good image quality of an X-ray image read out can be guaranteed.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer (4) is pivotable and includes acquiring unit (24) for acquiring an orientation of the apparatus (1). In this way, in a technically simple way, good image quality of an X-ray image read out can be guaranteed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a radiography module with this type of apparatus (1).

Abstract: A driving apparatus (1) for an optical scanning device (5) has a threaded spindle (16) onto which a spindle nut (23) is threaded. The driving apparatus (1) further includes a coupler (24) for coupling the spindle nut (23) to the scanning device (5). The coupler (24) effects a Cardan coupling in the manner of a Cardan joint. In a technically simple way particularly good synchronisation can be guaranteed during scanning.

Abstract: An apparatus (4) for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a support (10) onto which a storage phosphor plate (1) is laid. The storage phosphor plate (1) comprises the storage phosphor layer (2) and a support layer (3) onto which the storage phosphor layer (2) is applied. Furthermore, a controller (12) is provided for processing X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer (2). According to the invention, a distance sensor (14, 15) serves to determine a distance of the distance sensor (14, 15) from the storage phosphor plate (1) lying on the support (10), and the controller (12) is designed such that it processes the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer (2) dependently upon the distance determined by means of the distance sensor (14, 15). An unlevelness determined by means of the distance sensor (14, 15) is taken into account by the controller (12) when processing the X-ray information read out.

Abstract: A first passive ferroelectric memory element comprising a first electrode system and a second electrode system, wherein said first electrode system is at least partly insulated from said second electrode system by an element system comprising at least one ferroelectric element, wherein said first electrode system is a conductive surface, or a conductive layer; wherein said second electrode system is an electrode pattern or a plurality of isolated conductive areas in contact with, for read-out or data-input purposes only, a plurality of conducting pins isolated from one another.

Abstract: A method and system for reproducing an image on a carrier, the method includes: generating a conjoined first and second sub-image, each representative for a portion of the image; defining an overlap region where both sub-images give a contribution to the internal optical density of the carrier; dividing the overlap region in a partition of microdots; establishing for each sub-image a peripheral edge in the overlap region; increasing the contribution by the first sub-image from the peripheral edge of the first sub-image to the peripheral edge of the second sub-image; and assigning to at least one microdot an intermediate microscopic density different from a minimum or maximum microscopic density of microdots; wherein the contribution increases the microscopic density of the microdots by density steps smaller than half the difference between the minimum and maximum microscopic densities of the microdots.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for reading out X-ray information stored in a phosphor layer, includes a read-out device for reading out the X-ray information stored in the phosphor layer, and an input unit integrated in to the read-out device for entering additional information by an operator where the input unit is in the form of a graphical input unit into which the additional information can be entered in graphical form by the operator. Moreover, an allocation device is provided for allocating the entered additional information in graphical form to the X-ray information read out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system having a scanner and a memory layer. The memory layer comprises particles for storing X-ray information items, that can be excited by a stimulating radiation to emit an emission radiation corresponding to one of the X-ray information items and that are embedded in a medium and are distributed over the entire thickness of the memory layer. The scanner comprises an irradiating device for irradiating a linear region on the memory layer and a detector for the positionally resolved detection of emission radiation emitted by the memory layer along the linear region. To increase the sharpness of the X-ray information items to be detected with low losses in the intensity of the emission radiation, the medium can at least partially absorb components, directed both perpendicularly and parallel to the plane of the memory layer, of the emission radiation emitted by the individual particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composition containing between 0.08 and 3.

Abstract: A cassette (1) for a storage phosphor plate (2) comprises a cassette housing (4) with an opening (7) and a support (3) disposed movably within the cassette housing (4), wherein the storage phosphor plate (2) lies on the support (3). In order to simplify the structure of the cassette (1) and of the corresponding removal mechanism, provision is made such that the support (3) can be moved, together with the storage phosphor plate (2) lying on top of it, through the opening (7) of the cassette housing (4), at least partially from the inside of the cassette housing (4), and the storage phosphor plate (2) lying on the support (3) can be taken from the support (3) when the support (3) is located, with the storage phosphor plate (2) lying on top of it, at least partially outside of the cassette housing (4).

Abstract: A method for point-of-interest attraction towards an object pixel in a digital image by first performing object segmentation resulting in a contour-based or a region-based representation of object pixels and background pixels of the image. Secondly a vector distance transform image is computed comprising a vector displacement of each background pixel towards the nearest of said object pixels and the nearest object pixel for a given background pixel is determined by adding the vector displacement to said background pixel. Finally the point-of-interest is attracted towards the determined nearest object pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for reading out a storage phosphor plate (2) with an insertion device for inserting a cassette (1) in which a movably disposed support (3) is located, on top of which the storage phosphor plate (2) lies, a read-out device (20) for reading out the storage phosphor plate (2) and a conveyance device (11, 12) which takes the storage phosphor plate (2) from the support (3) and conveys it in a first direction (R) to the read-out device (20). In order to achieve the most precise and reliable alignment possible of the storage phosphor plate (2) relative to the read-out device (20) in a simple way, a positioning device (13) is provided for shifting the support (3), on which the storage phosphor plate (2) lies, in a second direction (A) which is different from the first direction (R) so that the support (3) and the storage phosphor plate (2) are aligned relative to the read-out device (20).

Abstract: An optical memory plate particularly suitable for identification purposes or protection against forgery and counterfeiting radiation provides inscription of data and read-out of thus stored inscription data, comprises a europium doped alkali metal halide storage phosphor layer, and, more preferably, a stimulable CsBr:Eu phosphor substantially free of alkaline earth metals.

Abstract: Method of associating meta-data relating to a radiation image of an object with the radiation image wherein the meta-data are broadcast and are detected and associated with an activated radiation image recording device.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising on a grained and anodized aluminum support a compound which is capable of converting form a hydrophobic state to a hydrophilic state or vice versa upon exposure to heat, and is represented by the following formula: A-(L)n-B wherein L represents a linking group, n represents 0 or 1 and B represents a thermo-labile group; characterized in that the compound further comprises the group A which is a functional group capable of interacting with the surface of a grained and anodized aluminum support and is selected from the list consisting of a halosilanyl group, an alkoxysilanyl group, a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, a phosphoric acid group or a salt thereof, a salicylic acid group or a salt thereof, a boronic acid group or an ester or a salt thereof, an optionally substituted di or tri-hydroxyaryl group, an optionally substituted salicaldoxime group, an optionally substituted salicaldimine group, an optionally substituted hydroxyheteroa

Abstract: The current invention is in the field of scheduling appointments for exams to be performed on patients in a clinical environment, where an appointment must be consistent with the availability of different resources, such as rooms, medical devices and medical or paramedical staff. An opportunity arises when two or more exams must be scheduled for one patient. These exams may be scheduled separately, however it may be possible that a first exam and other exams may be scheduled in one time slot. This depends on the compatibility of the first exam and the other exams and on the simultaneous availability of the resources, required for the first exam and the other exams. If the conditions are fulfilled, a plurality of exams may be combined in one time slot, and the scheduling systems has to schedule the first exam only, which scheduling is then valid for all other co-exams.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a layer on a substrate, the layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen or a C1–C4 alkyl group or together represent a C1–C4 alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group; and (ii) mechanically rendering the layer liquid crystal aligning; a liquid crystal alignment layer obtainable by the above-mentioned method; a liquid crystal device incorporating the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer; a liquid crystal display comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer or the above-mentioned liquid crystal device; and the use of the polythiophene according to formula (I) for aligning liquid crystals.