Patents by Inventor Robert E. Dickerson

Robert E. Dickerson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5908737
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because the developing composition includes a particulate opacifying agent, such as carbon black. Processing is carried out by processing the exposed element using a two-stage process in the same processing container. In the first stage, development is initiated with an opaque developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent in a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mol/l, opacifying agent, and a sulfite at from about 0.1 to about 0.7 mol/l. After an appropriate time, a fixing agent (other than a sulfite) is introduced into the processing container to begin simultaneous development and fixing. The entire process in quite rapid, that is less than 90 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5876909
    Abstract: The problem of sensing the presence of radiographic elements using infrared sensors that occurs when a radiographic element contains one or more very thin tabular grain emulsions a total silver coating coverage of less than 30 mg/dm.sup.2 is addressed by placing particles in one or more non-emulsion hydrophilic colloid layers. The particles are removable during rapid access processing, have a mean equivalent circular diameter of from 0.3 to 1.1 .mu.m, and have an index of refraction at the wavelength of the infrared radiation that differs from the index of refraction of the hydrophilic colloid by at least 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Hershey, James C. Bolthouse, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5876913
    Abstract: Dual-coated radiographic elements are disclosed employing thin tabular grain emulsions that exhibit increased covering power and colder image tones by limiting hydrophilic colloid coating coverages in the thin tabular grain emulsion layers to less than 15 mg/dm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Anthony Adin, Marcia K. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5871892
    Abstract: Radiographic elements useful for therapy imaging are disclosed each comprised of a film support having first and second major surfaces and capable of transmitting radiation to which the radiographic element is responsive and, coated on both of the major surfaces, processing solution permeable hydrophilic colloid layers which are fully forehardened and limited to less than 45 mg/dm.sup.2 of hydrophilic colloid to facilitate processing in less than 45 seconds, at least one of said layers on each major surface including light-sensitive silver halide grains capable of providing a contrast in the range of from 4 to 8 and containing less than 3 mole percent iodide, based on silver, the hydrophilic colloid layers allowing at least 30 percent crossover within a spectral region within which the silver halide grains are light-sensitive. The radiographic elements are useful for either in localization or verification imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Arthur G. Haus, Kenneth E. Huff
  • Patent number: 5871890
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing is carried out by processing the exposed element using a two-stage process in the same light-tight processing container. In the first stage, development is initiated with a developing composition having a pH of from about 10 to about 12.5, and comprising an appropriate black-and-white developing agent in a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 mol/l, and a sulfite at from about 0.25 to about 0.7 mol/l. After an appropriate time, a fixing agent (other than a sulfite) is introduced into the processing container to provide a combined developing/fixing compositions, and development and fixing are carried out simultaneously. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within about 90 seconds, including a washing step at the end. The presence of sulfite and high pH in both stages decolorize or deactivate the particulate dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Jeffrey S. Baugher, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5866309
    Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be handled and processed in roomlight because they include certain light absorbing dyes and desensitizers. Processing is carried out by developing the exposed element using a developing composition having a pH of less than 10. The developed elements are fixed using a fixing composition having a pH of from 10 to 11.5, and comprising specific amounts of fixing agent and sulfite to solubilize silver halide and to bleach or decompose the light absorbing dyes. The processing method is carried out quickly, usually within 120 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventors: Alan S. Fitterman, Jeffrey S. Baugher, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5856077
    Abstract: A mammographic medical diagnostic radiographic element is disclosed that produces sharp images and is capable of being processed in less than 60 seconds. Each of imaging and antihalation fully forehardened hydrophilic colloid layer units are coated on the opposite sides of a transparent film support at a hydrophilic colloid coating coverage of less than 55 mg/dm.sup.2. The radiation-sensitive silver halide grains contained in the imaging layer unit are provided by a tabular grain emulsion coated at a coverage capable of providing a maximum density on processing of greater than 3.6. To provide a mid-scale contrast of greater than 3.0 and a lower scale contrast of greater than 2.2, the radiation-sensitive grains (a) exhibit an equivalent circular diameter coefficient of variation grain of less than 15 percent and (b) contain rhodium in a normalized molar concentration of less than 1.times.10.sup.-6 based on silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Patrick M. Jeffries, Marcia K. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5853967
    Abstract: A mammographic medical diagnostic radiographic element is disclosed having emulsion layers coated on opposite surfaces of a transparent film support. To facilitate rapid processing the emulsion layers are fully forehardened and less than 35 mg/dm.sup.2 of hydrophilic colloid is coated on each major surface. To reduce crossover and hydrophilic colloid, emulsions on the opposite sides of the support are each divided into two layers with the layer coated nearest the support containing a particulate dye capable of being decolorized during processing. Particulate dye and silver halide grains together account for between 30 and 70 percent of the total weight of the emulsion layers. Combined with the use of spectrally sensitized tabular grain emulsions crossover can be reduced to less than 15 percent while processing can be completed in less than 45 seconds. The distribution of hydrophilic colloid and silver halide grains chosen achieves low wet pressure sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5851243
    Abstract: A radiographic element is disclosed capable of producing a maximum density of at least 3.0 when imagewise exposed and processed in less than 45 seconds. The element includes magenta dye or dyes, including a dye for spectrally sensitizing radiation-sensitive silver halide grains, that leave a residual density at 505 nm of greater than 0.1 when the element is processed. Transmission of red light through the radiographic element when imagewise exposed and processed to produce a viewable image is reduced by the incorporation in at least one of the hydrophilic colloid layers of at least one ionic linear condensation polymer containing a cyan phthalocyanine dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Rickey J. Seyler
  • Patent number: 5824460
    Abstract: A dual-coated radiographic element is disclosed that is capable of providing improved gastrointestinal tract images. Specifically, the radiographic elements are capable of simultaneously providing a maximum density of less than 3.0, a contrast in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 over a lower exposure region (typically achieved by adding barium to the gastrointestinal tract) extending over an exposure range of 0.3 log E, a contrast of in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 over a higher exposure region (typically achieved by adding an effervescent substance to the gastrointestinal tract) extending over an exposure range of 0.6 log E, and a contrast greater than 3.5 over an intermediate exposure region extending over an exposure range of 0.6 log E. To accomplish this, underlying and overlying spectrally sensitized tabular grain emulsion layers are coated on each major surface of a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5824459
    Abstract: A dual-coated radiographic element is disclosed that is capable of simultaneously providing acceptable thoracic cavity imaging of both heart and lung anatomical features while employing a symmetrical coating format. The element allows reduced processing times while avoiding wet pressure sensitivity. This is achieved by reducing crossover to less than 5 percent using a crossover reducing dye in a polydispersed tabular grain emulsion layer coated nearest each major surface of the support. The tabular grain emulsion contains a rhodium dopant. A polydispersed outer tabular grain emulsion layer is coated over the polydispersed tabular grain emulsion coated nearest the support. Total hydrophilic colloid per side and the distribution of silver between the emulsion layers is controlled to allow processing in less than 45 seconds while avoiding wet pressure sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5800976
    Abstract: A dual-coated radiographic element is disclosed comprised of a blue tinted film support having coated on each of its faces a spectrally sensitized high bromide tabular grain emulsion. The properties of a maximum density of at least 3.0, an average contrast of at least 2.7, and a b* value more negative than -5.0 at a silver coating coverage on each major surface of the support of less than 12 mg/dm.sup.2, are imparted by (1) the support having a neutral density of at least 0.18, (2) tabular grains accounting for at least 90 percent of total grain projected area having a mean thickness of 0.2 micrometer or less and a coefficient of variation of equivalent circular diameter less than 20 percent, (3) a covering power enhancing compound containing at least one divalent sulfur atom adsorbed to surfaces of the silver halide grains, (4) a water soluble polymer chosen from the class consisting of polyacrylamide and dextran, in a weight ratio of the polymer to the gelatino-vehicle of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Anthony Adin, Marcia K. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5773206
    Abstract: An element capable of forming a silver image is disclosed containing insufficient radiation-sensitive silver halide grains to render the element detectable by an infrared sensor. The element has been modified to increase infrared specular density by the inclusion of, in a hydrophilic colloid dispersing medium, particles (a) being removable from the element during a rapid access processing cycle, (b) having a mean size of from 0.3 to 1.1 .mu.m and at least 0.1 .mu.m larger than the mean grain size of the radiation-sensitive grains, and (c) having an index of refraction at the wavelength of the infrared radiation that differs from the index of refraction of the hydrophilic colloid by at least 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Hershey, James C. Bolthouse, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5759759
    Abstract: A dual-coated radiographic element is disclosed containing high bromide tabular grain emulsion layers exhibiting increased covering power and colder image tones. A covering power enhancing compound containing at least one divalent sulfur atom adsorbed to grain surfaces and a gelatino-vehicle are present in the emulsion layers. The emulsion layers additionally include a water soluble polymer chosen from the class consisting of polyacrylamide and dextran.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Robert E. Dickerson, Marcia K. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5744294
    Abstract: A radiographic element including an image recording silver halide emulsion layer coated on a transparent film support and a blue anthraquinone dye. Transmission of red light through the exposed and processed radiographic element is reduced by coating on the support at least one ionic linear condensation polymer containing a cyan phthalocyanine dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Rickey J. Seyler
  • Patent number: 5716769
    Abstract: A radiographic element is disclosed having a transparent film support and hydrophilic colloid layers including at least one silver halide emulsion layer coated on the support. Upon viewing following imagewise exposure and processing, the radiographic element exhibits a transparent blue appearance in areas of minimum density, at least a portion of the blue appearance being attributable to the presence in one or more of the hydrophilic colloid layers of at least one ionic linear condensation polymer containing an anthraquinone dye chromophore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Rickey J. Seyler
  • Patent number: 5637447
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive film for reproducing digitally stored medical diagnostic images through a series of laterally offset exposures by a controlled radiation source followed byprocessing in 90 seconds or less including development, fixing and drying is disclosed. The film exhibits an average contrast in the range of from 1.5 to 2.0, measured over a density above fog of from 0.25 to 2.0. An emulsion is provided in which silver bromochloride grains provided (a) containing at least 10 mole percent bromide, based on silver, (b) having a mean equivalent circular diameter of less than 0.40 .mu.m, (c) exhibiting an average aspect ratio of less than 1.3, and (d) coated at a silver coverage of less than 40 mg/dm.sup.2. Adsorbed to the surfaces of the silver bromochloride grains is at least one spectral sensitizing dye having an absorption half peak bandwidth in the spectral region of exposure by the controlled exposure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Richard E. Beal, Franklin C. Brayer, Stephen A. Hershey, Patrick M. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 5633126
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive silver halide film for reproducing digitally stored medical diagnostic images through a series of laterally offset exposures by a controlled radiation source followed by processing in 90 seconds or less, including development, fixing and drying. The film exhibits an average contrast in the range of from 1.5 to 2.0, measured over a density above fog of from 0.25 to 2.0. An emulsion layer is provided in which silver bromochloride grains (a) comprised of at least 10 mole percent bromide, based on silver, (b) having a mean equivalent circular diameter of less than 0.40 .mu.m, (c) exhibiting an average aspect ratio of less than 1.3, and (d) coated at a silver coverage of less than 40 mg/dm.sup.2. Adsorbed to the surfaces of the silver bromochloride grains at least one spectral sensitizing dye having an absorption half peak bandwidth in the spectral region of exposure by the controlled exposure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Mridula Nair, George L. Oltean, Lloyd A. Lobo
  • Patent number: 5578425
    Abstract: An element for cleaning processing solutions contained in a radiographic film processor is disclosed. The element is comprised of a transparent film support and hydrophilic colloid layers coated on opposite sides of the film support. An infrared opacifying dye is contained within the element capable of reducing specular transmission through the element before, during and after processing to less than 50 percent, measured at a wavelength within the spectral region of from 850 to 1100 nm. A processing solution soluble colorant can be contained in one or more of the hydrophilic colloid layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Kevin W. Williams
  • Patent number: 5576156
    Abstract: A radiographic element is disclosed having emulsion layers coated on opposite surfaces of a transparent film support. To facilitate rapid processing the emulsion layers are fully forehardened and less than 35 mg/dm.sup.2 of hydrophilic colloid is coated on each major surface. To reduce crossover and hydrophilic colloid, emulsions on the opposite sides of the support are each divided into two layers with the layer coated nearest the support containing a particulate dye capable of being decolorized during processing. Particulate dye and silver halide grains together account for between 30 and 70 percent of the total weight of the emulsion layers. Combined with the use of spectrally sensitized tabular grain emulsions crossover can be reduced to less than 15 percent while processing can be completed in less than 45 seconds. The distribution of hydrophilic colloid and silver halide grains chosen achieves low wet pressure sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson