Abstract: A calibration phantom for radiometric characterization and/or radiotherapy dose calculation of a subject is provided, which includes an ellipsoid base having a primary volume defining a plurality of cylindrical voids, each of said cylindrical voids configured to receive a cylindrical insert having a diameter, wherein the ellipsoid base, the primary volume, and each of said inserts are formed from a tissue substitution material independently selected to approximate a radiological property of an anatomical feature of the subject to which the ellipsoid base, the primary volume, and each of said inserts corresponds, wherein the radiological property of the tissue substitution material, the diameter of each of said inserts, and a location of each of said inserts within the ellipsoid base are selected to mimic beam hardening upon exposure of the calibration phantom to a radiation beam. Optionally, one or more peripheral rings are disposed concentrically about the ellipsoid base.

Abstract: Described herein is a shutter mechanism (10) suitable for use in a single-use camera. The mechanism (10) comprises a mounting plate (12, 120) and a shutter member (14, 140) mounted thereon. Shutter member (14, 140) comprises a spring (141) connected to a shutter blade/trigger member (142) by means of arm portions (143, 144), the connection between the spring (141) and the shutter blade/trigger member (142) to the arm portions (143, 144) being effected by hinges (145, 146, 147, 148). The mounting plate (12, 120) comprises a circular disc (120) having recess portions (121, 126) in which spring (141) and shutter blade/trigger member (142) are respectively located. Depression of shutter blade/trigger member (142) moves it to a metastable position against the action of the spring (141), and once through that position, the action of the spring (141) accelerates the shutter blade/trigger member (142) over the lens (not shown) to provide an exposure for photographic material mounted within the camera.

Abstract: A tapeless splicing system which allows the joining and separation of filmstrips without the use of tape. The system comprises forming an aperture (16, 26) in a leading end (12, 22) of a filmstrip (14, 20) and a tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) in a trailing end (24) thereof. The tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) of one filmstrip (20) is inserted through the aperture (16) of another filmstrip (12) by distortion as it is pushed through the aperture (16), the tongue portion (28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36) and the aperture (16) being sized and shaped to provide effective interlocking between the two filmstrips (14, 20).

Abstract: Described herein is a method of removing splicing tape (30) from two filmstrips (10, 20). Trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10) has an aperture (14) formed therein over which at least a portion (32) of splicing tape (30) overlaps. At a splice removal station (40) comprising a pair of spaced apart support surfaces (42, 44) which defined a gap (46) therebetween, a gripper device (48) passes through aperture (14) to grip portion (32) of the splicing tape (30) and to detach it from trailing edge (12) of filmstrip (10). As gripper device (48) is pulled downwards through gap (46), splicing tape (30) is drawn over edge (50) on support surface (42) to detach it from leading edge (22) of filmstrip (20).

Abstract: It is known to use `bag-in-box` arrangements both for supplying photographic processing solutions to a photographic process and for collecting effluent therefrom. However, a supply `bag-in-box` arrangement may not be completely emptied and when it is transferred to collect effluent, and it may become full before the new supply `bag-in-box` arrangement has been emptied. This is a problem if there are no empty `bag-in-box` arrangement to replace the full one collecting effluent. Described herein is a `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) having a variable effective volume. The arrangement (10) comprises an outer box (12) in which is housed an inner bag (20). Connection to the process is achieved by means of connector (22). A spacer element (28) is located in the top of the outer box (12) which limits the effective volume thereof for transportation. The element (28) is removed when the `bag-in-box` arrangement (10) is connected to the process to supply solution thereto.

Abstract: It is known to treat the effluent resulting from photographic processing apparatus. Such treatment takes the form of either neutralization where the effluent is mixed with a neutralizing solution prior to disposal, or evaporation where the effluent is heated to form a precipitate and a concentrated liquid portion prior to disposal. However, both these techniques have disadvantages they do not account for toxic particles which may be suspended in the solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which photographic effluent can be treated to provide harmless end products which can be disposed of directly. The apparatus comprises a mixing unit (10) in which the effluent (S1) is mixed with treatment chemicals (S2, S3, S4, P1, P2, P3) and is then passed to a separation unit (20) in which the treated effluent is separated into non-toxic liquid and solid phases. A computer (100) is used to control all stages of the treatment of the effluent.

Abstract: It is well known that photographic processing solutions need to be replenished periodically in photographic processing apparatus to maintain constant sensitometry for the material being processed. Described herein is a method and apparatus for effecting replenishment of a process, in particular, a photographic process, in which replenishing material for the process is coated on to at least one surface of the material to be treated in that process.