Patents Assigned to Agfa-Gevaert
  • Patent number: 7231096
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Broddin, Mario Verbruggen, Serge Tavernier
  • Patent number: 7227168
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Hannes Serro
  • Patent number: 7227167
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Robert Fasbender, Magath Niang, Clemens Herrmann, Rudy Van den Bergh
  • Patent number: 7223357
    Abstract: A method for preparing a composition containing between 0.08 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Roger Van den Bogaert, Bert Groenendaal, Frank Louwet
  • Publication number: 20070114479
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Agfa-Gevaert Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Heinz, Markus Atzenbeck, Thomas Hartmann, Alfons Kastl, Güther Schindlbeck, Rudolf Loistl, Hans Ketterer, Otto Butz
  • Publication number: 20070116357
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventor: Piet DEWAELE
  • Publication number: 20070114448
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Agfa-Gevaert Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Pirmann, Rudolf Loistl, Jürgen Heinz, Thomas Hartmann, Alfons Kastl, Gunther Schindlbeck, Hans Ketterer, Otto Butz
  • Patent number: 7220979
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Paul Leblans, Johan Lamotte
  • Publication number: 20070112596
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT N.V.
    Inventor: Walter Exelmans
  • Publication number: 20070106532
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Miguel Sigo, Henk Vansteenkiste, Wannes Kieckens
  • Publication number: 20070105041
    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
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventors: Johan Loccufier, Hieronymus Andriessen
  • Patent number: 7214405
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Tom Cloots, Roger Bäuerle
  • Publication number: 20070092703
    Abstract: A method for preparing a tamperproof ID document comprising in order the steps of a) providing an ID document having at least one image on at least one outermost surface of said ID document; b) printing or coating a curable liquid on at least one of said outermost surfaces of said ID document thereby forming an outermost layer on said printed or coated outermost surface at least partially covering said at least one image; and c) curing said outermost layer; wherein said curable liquid comprises a polymerizable and/or a polymeric abherent agent and said printed or coated outermost surface is the surface of a layer or foil exclusive of porous pigment. Also disclosed is an ID document wherein the surface of an outermost layer at least partially covering an image on the ID document has a surface energy of less than 28 mN/m; and the use of an abherent agent-comprising curable composition to provide ID-documents with a substantially non-printable and substantially non-laminatable abhesive surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventors: Luc Leenders, Eddie Daems
  • Patent number: 7205084
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a hydrophilic support and an oleophilic coating thereon which comprises an infrared light-to-heat converter, an alkali-soluble binder and a polymeric developer accelerator. The polymeric developer accelerator is preferably a phenolic formaldehyde resin comprising at least 70 mol % of meta-cresol as recurring unit or at least 40 mol % of monohydroxy benzene cresol as recurring unit. The PDA may also be a phenolic resin which comprises at least 5 mol % of a recurring monomeric unit having at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and at least one alkali solubilising group. The polymeric developer accelerator improves the sensitivity while maintaining a good under-exposure latitude and a good developer resistance of the printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Huub Van Aert
  • Publication number: 20070077513
    Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises (i) a grained and anodized aluminum support having a hydrophilic surface and (ii) a heat-sensitive oleophilic coating provided on the hydrophilic surface, wherein said coating comprises (a) a hydrophobic polymer which is soluble in an aqueous alkaline developer and (b) a dissolution inhibitor which is a water-repellent polymer and wherein said coating is capable of dissolving in said developer at a higher dissolution rate in areas of said coating which are exposed to heat or infrared light than in unexposed areas, characterized in that the hydrophilic surface has a surface roughness, measured according to ISO 4288 and expressed as arithmetical mean center-line roughness Ra?, which is less than 0.40 ?m and the hydrophilic surface comprises a salt of titanium, hafnium or zirconium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventors: Paola Campestrini, Joan Vermeersch, Marc Damme
  • Patent number: 7199379
    Abstract: An image storage screen or panel, suitable for use in applications related with computed radiography, has been disclosed, wherein said screen or panel comprises a binderless needle-shaped stimulable (storage) phosphor and a substrate, characterized in that said substrate has a surface roughness of less than 2 ?m and a reflectivity of more than 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Toshio Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 7198883
    Abstract: A positive-working, heat-sensitive material for making a lithographic printing plate by direct-to-plate recording is disclosed. The material comprises a hydrophobized grained and anodized aluminum support and a layer comprising a compound capable of converting light into heat provided onto said support, said support being obtainable by RF plasma treatment of a grained and anodized aluminum support in the presence of a fluorine containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Hieronymus Andriessen, Catherine Brigouleix, Alain Tressaud
  • Patent number: 7198877
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a hydrophilic support and an oleophilic coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent and a polymer, which comprises a phenolic monomeric unit wherein the phenyl group of the phenolic monomeric unit is substituted by a group having the structure —N?N-Q wherein the —N?N— group is covalently bound to a carbon atom of the phenyl group and wherein Q is an aromatic group and wherein the substitution increases the chemical resistance of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Johan Loccufier, Bert Groenendaal, Huub Van Aert
  • Patent number: 7195861
    Abstract: A method for making a heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising the steps of (i) preparing a coating solution comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a hydrophilic binder; (ii) applying said coating solution on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, thereby obtaining an image-recording layer; (iii) drying said image-recording layer; characterized in that said hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle size in the range from 45 nm to 63 nm, and that the amount of said hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles in the image-recording layer is at least 70% by weight relative to the dried image-recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Joan Vermeersch, Dirk Kokkelenberg, Huub Van Aert
  • Patent number: D539841
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Frans Hegge