Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.

Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.

Abstract: An illuminant head assembly for a photographic film image scanner includes a linear light source, preferably a linear array of spectrally distinct illuminant elements combined with a main body having an elongate light conducting channel aligned with the light source and having a light pipe in the light conducting channel, the light pipe having a light diffusion material dispersed therein. The illuminant head assembly in a preferred embodiment includes additional light sources at one or both ends of the linear array and the main body includes additional light channels aligned with the additional light sources, the additional light sources and channels serving as illuminant sources for scanning marginal regions of the photographic film in the film scanner.

Abstract: An x-ray film cassette is disclosed which includes a window for allowing imaging of patient identification data onto a film in the cassette by light. The window includes a slidable member made from a single piece of plastics material folded onto itself to form two leaves. The two leaves are secured to one another except in a region adjacent the free end of one of the leaves. One of the leaves is stiff and the other is resiliently flexible. The stiff leaf faces outwardly of the cassette and has an aperture in a region overlying the unsecured region to the flexible leaf to allow a probe to deflect the unsecured region of the flexible leaf. The free end of the flexible leaf has catch means which cooperate with other catch means to prevent movement of the slidable member away from the closed position when the free end region of the second leaf is in the non-deflected condition.