Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital mammography system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a filter or a tunable monochromator, a collimator, a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector; where the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating are aligned in such a way that the grating bars of these gratings are parallel to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital mammography system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a filter or a tunable monochromator, a collimator, a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector; where the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating are aligned in such a way that the grating bars of these gratings are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A digital radiography panel has a scintillator screen having a light-exiting surface from a material with a first index of refraction n1 and a photosensor array having a light-accepting surface from a material with a second index of refraction n2. A pressure-sensitive adhesive couples the light-exiting surface of the scintillator screen to the light-accepting surface of the photosensor array and has a third index of refraction that has a value nPSA that either lies in the range between n1 and n2, or substantially matches n1 or n2, or both.

Abstract: A digital radiography panel has a scintillator screen having a light-exiting surface from a material with a first index of refraction n1 and a photosensor array having a light-accepting surface from a material with a second index of refraction n2. A pressure-sensitive adhesive couples the light-exiting surface of the scintillator screen to the light-accepting surface of the photosensor array and has a third index of refraction that has a value nPSA that either lies in the range between n1 and n2, or substantially matches n1 or n2, or both.

Abstract: A method for increasing the diameter of an ink jet ink dot resulting from the application of an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of an ink jet recording medium having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer containing: a) from about 20 to about 65% by volume of particles; b) from about 25 to about 70% by volume of a polymeric binder; and c) up to about 10% by volume of a cross-linking agent; the method comprising applying the ink jet ink drop on the surface of the image-receiving layer whereby the diameter of the ink jet ink dot is increased relative to that which would have been obtained if the image-receiving layer had greater than about 65% by volume of particles.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer containing: a) from about 20 to about 65% by volume of particles; b) from about 25 to about 70% by volume of a polymeric binder; and c) up to about 10% by volume of a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer containing: a) from about 20 to about 65% by volume of particles; b) from about 25 to about 70% by volume of a polymeric binder; and c) up to about 10% by volume of a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A method for increasing the diameter of an ink jet ink dot resulting from the application of an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of an ink jet recording medium having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the image-receiving layer containing: a) from about 20 to about 65% by volume of particles; b) from about 25 to about 70% by volume of a polymeric binder; and c) up to about 10% by volume of a cross-linking agent; the method comprising applying the ink jet ink drop on the surface of the image-receiving layer whereby the diameter of the ink jet ink dot is increased relative to that which would have been obtained if the image-receiving layer had greater than about 65% by volume of particles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system and method for recording an image in a single pass print mode includes a printhead having a plurality of nozzles that are selectively operable for depositing drops of liquid ink or other liquid used in forming of an image in a single pass print mode upon a surface of a receiver medium with a printing resolution R, a dot size Di of the dots resulting from impact of the drops with the receiver medium being in the range of 0.5/R<Di<1/R and a final dot size D after spreading on the surface being in the range of 2½/R<D<2.0/R. The receiver medium has a surface for receiving the drops and a region of the medium proximate the surface has an influence upon drop spreading and the region has a porosity in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 and sufficient to provide a media drop spread factor Sm wherein Sm=D/Di with 2½<Sm<2×2½.

Abstract: A method for increasing the diameter of an ink jet ink dot resulting from the application of an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of an inkjet recording medium having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer and an overcoat layer, the ink penetration rate of the overcoat layer being faster than the ink penetration rate of the image-receiving layer; having the steps of: a) applying the overcoat layer on top of the image-receiving layer at a thickness less than the maximum thickness, the maximum thickness being that thickness whereby an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of the overcoat layer will not substantially penetrate the surface of the image-receiving layer; and b) applying the ink jet ink drop on the surface of the overcoat layer whereby the diameter of the ink jet ink dot is increased relative to that which would have been obtained if the overcoat layer had been coated at a thickness of at least the maximum thickness.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets. The printer comprises a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid, a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface and a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation with the cleaning member surface wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enters the flow of cleaning fluid wherein the print head and the cleaning member surface are separated by gap of between 0.1 mm and 2.54 mm.

Abstract: A method for increasing the diameter of an ink jet ink dot resulting from the application of an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of an ink jet recording medium having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer and an overcoat layer, the ink penetration rate of the overcoat layer being faster than the ink penetration rate of the image-receiving layer; having the steps of: a) applying the overcoat layer on top of the image-receiving layer at a thickness less than the maximum thickness, the maximum thickness being that thickness whereby an ink jet ink drop applied to the surface of the overcoat layer will not substantially penetrate the surface of the image-receiving layer; and b) applying the ink jet ink drop on the surface of the overcoat layer whereby the diameter of the ink jet ink dot is increased relative to that which would have been obtained if the overcoat layer had been coated at a thickness of at least the maximum thickness.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets. The printer comprises a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid, a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface and a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation with the cleaning member surface wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enters the flow of cleaning fluid wherein the print head and the cleaning member surface are separated by gap of between 0.1 mm and 2.54 mm.

Abstract: A fluid pump, such as a print head, includes an ink channel having a nozzle and at least one wall having a flexible portion. A deforming member made of a viscoelastic material is coupled to the flexible portion and a charge mechanism is coupled to the deforming member to apply a spatially varied charge pattern to the deforming member when activated. Activation of the charge mechanism causes deformation of the deforming member and the flexible portion to reduce the volume of the ink channel and eject a droplet of ink out of the ink channel. The charge mechanism can include a photoelectric material and a radiation source or an electrode coupled to a source of electric power.

Abstract: In a photothermographic laser imaging system including a laser printer for exposing photothermographic media to digital data, a thermal processor for thermally developing the exposed photothermographic media to render a visual image of the digital data and a densitometer for reading the density of the visual image, a method for establishing calibration of the system comprising the steps of: reading optimum thermal processing parameters including processor temperature from a bar code associated with unexposed photothermographic media; setting the thermal processor to operate at the read parameters; exposing a calibration media by the laser printer, the calibration media including a multiple step gray scale pattern including a minimum density step, D.sub.min, and an upper density step, D.sub.

Abstract: In a photothermographic laser imaging system including a laser printer for exposing photothermographic media to digital data, a thermal processor for thermally developing the exposed media to render a visual image of the digital data, and a densitometer for reading the density of the visual image; a method for maintaining calibration of the system comprising the steps of: exposing by means of the laser printer successful photothermographic media with digital data and simultaneously with the digital data, density patches on an edge of the media representing minimum density, D.sub.min, and mid density, D.sub.mid ; reading with the densitometer the D.sub.min and D.sub.mid density patches of successive media developed by the thermal processor for a predetermined number of media or over a predetermined interval; averaging the read D.sub.min and D.sub.mid values to obtain average D.sub.min and D.sub.mid values; comparing the averaged D.sub.min and D.sub.mid values with preferred D.sub.min and D.sub.

Abstract: A processor for processing thermal media, comprising: a rotatably mounted heated drum; and a set of holddown rollers spaced around a segment of the periphery of the drum and in contact therewith, the drum and the set of rollers forming a path for thermal media; wherein the set of rollers includes at least first and second rollers of different diameters one from the other in order to suppress artifacts.

Abstract: A full width opto-mechanical modulator comprised of a silicon chip have dual rows or arrays of flexible finger-like reflectors disposed thereon in staggered facing relationship to one another. The reflectors, the surface of which is highly reflective, bend in response to the application of a predetermined potential. The modulator is placed in the path of a beam of high intensity light, and potentials applied to selected reflectors in accordance with an image signal input cause the modulator to reflect light striking the individual reflectors in either an exposure path or against a beam stop.

Abstract: An output scanner for producing images in response to image signals, the scanner having a high intensity illumination lamp, fiber optic bundle for converting the light output of the lamp to a succession of light rays for exposing an imaging member line by line, an electro-mechanical modulator for modulating the light rays individually in response to image signals, and a lens array for transmitting light rays from the modulator to the imaging member. The modulator comprises a full width array of closely spaced finger-like reflectors which deflect upon application of a preset potential thereto, the potential being applied to the reflectors selectively in accordance with an image signal.