Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microfluidic system and method is disclosed for reducing autofluorescence. The microfluidic system can include a light source for generating an excitation light. The microfluidic system can also include a microscope having an objective for focusing the excitation light on a fluid inside a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic chip. Further, the microfluidic system can include a detector for rejecting out-of-focus light emitted from the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel includes a substrate and a phosphor layer formed on the substrate by a vapor-phase deposition method. The phosphor layer has a columnar crystal structure and the columnar crystal structure accounts for 50 to 65% of the phosphor layer in terms of relative density. The panel requires a smaller quantity of erasing light and hence is suitable for application in a small type of radiation image information recording and reading apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a portable appliance intended to detect fluorescent particles excited in the visible spectrum for enabling the authentication of products. The appliance comprises: a light source (2) of excitation provided with at least one electroluminescent diode or a laser for producing a focussed light beam: a box (1) for respectively accommodating the light source (2) and means of electrical supply for supplying the light source (2); and compact optical means, whether integrated or not in the box (1), enabling a user to instantaneously visualise the fluorescence of the marked elements excited by means of the light source (2). The appliance is used as a ground detector for authenticating and tracing products comprising a secret marking by fluorescent particles.

Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

Abstract: A measurement system for and method of measuring thicknesses of coatings as applied to objects and a coating system and method for coating objects, in particular three-dimensional objects, with coatings, in particular thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), and a monitoring system for and method of monitoring a state of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) as applied to an object which is exposed to a high-temperature environment, and a TBC for use with the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a radiographic image has a cassette with an erasable photostimulable storage medium, housed in the cassette, that can store a radiographic image when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation at an exposure wavelength and that can be erased for subsequent use when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation at an erasure wavelength. A memory that is associated with the cassette stores a signal that is indicative of elapsed time since the most recent erasure of the photostimulable medium.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides systems and methods for detection of agents of interest in a bulk quantity of matter, which also contains clutter and other constituents that typically interfere with the detection of one or more agents of interest. A detection system of the invention generally contains a collection subsystem for obtaining a bulk sample, an interrogation subsystem for generating one or more analytical signals representative of the composition of the bulk sample, and an analytical subsystem according to the teachings of the invention that implements the methods and algorithms of the invention for analyzing the sample analytical signals to determine whether one or more agents of interest are present, e.g., at quantities above a certain threshold, in the bulk sample.

Abstract: A standoff bioagent-detection apparatus and method use a direct ultraviolet source to detect bioagents. In some embodiments, a standoff bioagent-detection apparatus and method use laser-induced fluorescence to determine the presence of a biological agent having an aromatic-protein shell, such as Tryptophan. In some embodiments, multi-wavelength differential laser-induced fluorescence helps reduce false alarm caused by naturally occurring interferants. In some embodiments, a full range of ultraviolet wavelengths is initially simultaneously generated to fluoresce Tryptophan to determine if an ambient level is excessive. When the ambient level is excessive, individual ultraviolet wavelengths may be generated in differential pairs and the detected fluorescence levels may be correlated with atmospheric absorption levels for Tryptophan to determine if a bioagent is highly likely to be present.

Abstract: The test elements are provided that are adapted to detect at least one analyte in a sample. At least some of the test elements are provided with a defect marking which contains information about defectiveness of the test elements. The test elements include at least one radiation-sensitive material. The test elements are exposed to at least one radiation, the radiation being adapted to induce marking in the form of at least one optically detectable change in the radiation-sensitive material.

Abstract: A storage phosphor plate includes: a storage phosphor layer for the storage of X-ray information; and a substrate layer onto which the storage phosphor layer is applied. The substrate layer includes a fibre composite which is made from a synthetic material reinforced with fibres in the form of a woven fabric.

Abstract: The radiation image conversion panel includes a phosphor layer formed by a vapor-phase deposition and solely formed of columnar crystals, a matrix layer formed under the phosphor layer, is substantially free of an activator of a phosphor, and has a columnar crystal region and an underlying non-columnar crystal region and a substrate which supports the matrix layer and the phosphor layer formed on the matrix layer. The process for producing the radiation image conversion panel forms on the substrate the matrix layer and forms the phosphor layer by the vapor-phase deposition. The formation of the phosphor layer is started after a crystal structure of an upper region of the matrix layer has changed from a non-columnar to a columnar.

Abstract: A scintillator plate which exhibits enhanced emission efficiency upon exposure to radiation and an improved time efficiency in manufacture of the plate is disclosed, comprising on a substrate a phosphor layer containing an activator and having been subjected to a plasma treatment.

Abstract: There is provided a radiation image conversion panel having strong resistance to physical impact, and in which enhanced sharpness and adhesion are balanced, especially, enhanced adhesion of a photostimulable phosphor layer onto a support is achieved, and a preparation method of the radiation image conversion panel. The radiation image conversion panel comprising on a support a sublayer and at least one photostimulable phosphor layer in this order from the support, featured in that the photostimulable phosphor layer is formed by a gas phase method and has a thickness of not less than 50 ?m, and the sublayer comprises a thermoplastic resin and the thickness of the central portion in an image area of the sublayer is greater than that of the peripheral portion of the image area.

Abstract: The invention provides a cassette enclosure having an energy translucent portion for supporting an imaging plate. The cassette is adapted for use with a computed radiography device wherein an image set forth on the imaging plate can be scanned without removing the plate from the cassette.

Abstract: A method of reducing receipt fraud comprises attempting to detect emission from a receipt associated with one or more luminescent markers that are incorporated in a valid receipt. The receipt is validated when the attempt is successful.

Abstract: A method of producing a radiation image conversion panel containing the steps of: forming a stimulable phosphor layer on a substrate via a vapor deposition method to form a phosphor panel; heating the phosphor panel in a gas atmosphere of a halogen-containing solvent; and sealing the phosphor panel heated in the gas atmosphere of the halogen-containing solvent by sandwiching the phosphor panel between two resin films, followed by applying heat to peripheral edges of the two resin films to heat and fuse the resin films each other, wherein a lowest temperature of the heat is 150° C. or more.

Abstract: The radiation image conversion panel includes a substrate and a phosphor layer of columnar crystals formed on the substrate by vapor-phase deposition, with a column diameter distribution of the columnar crystals having two or more peaks. The process for producing a radiation image conversion panel prepares a substrate on which two or more types of projections different in diameter are formed and satisfies Expression “0.4R?r?0.8R” where R is a diameter of a largest projection and r is a diameter of any one of the remainder in the two or more types of projections, thereby making a surface of the substrate uneven and forms a phosphor layer on the uneven surface of the substrate by vapor-phase deposition.

Abstract: Provided are a rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide stimulable phosphor exhibiting high image quality of radiation images and reduction of luminance degradation, and a radiation image conversion panel employing the stimulable phosphor represented by Formula (1) Ba(1-x)M2(x)FBr(y)I(1-y):aM1, bLn, cO, wherein M1 is at least an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs; M2 is at least an alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Sr and Ca; Ln is at least a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Dy, Ho, Nd, Er and Yb; and x, y, a, b and c are values meeting the following conditions: 0?x?0.3, 0?y?0.9, 0?a?0.05 0<b?0.2 and 0?c?0.1, wherein a spectral width at 80% intensity to the maximum intensity of an instantaneous excitation spectrum is 23.0 nm or less.

Abstract: A radiation image formation read out method for a storage phosphor screen. A phosphor screen is exposed to a first stimulating radiation from a first side of the screen to release a first stimulated radiation in the pattern of the stored image. The first stimulating radiation is at a first power level, a first scan speed, and a first set of scanning parameters and is photoelectrically detected. The storage phosphor screen is again exposed to a second stimulating radiation from the first side of the screen to release a second stimulated radiation in the pattern of the stored image. The second stimulating radiation is at a second power level, a second scan speed, and a second set of scanning parameters. The second scanning exposure is higher than the first scanning exposure and the second set of scanning parameters differs in at least one parameter from the first set of scanning parameters.

Abstract: An image capturing system includes a cassette having a radiation detector, an image memory, and a cassette controller, an image capturing apparatus, a display device, and a host computer. The cassette controller comprises a capacity value transmitter for transmitting a capacity value of the radiation image information to the host computer before transmission process, and an image transmitter for transmitting the radiation image information. The host computer comprises an indicator controller for controlling the display device to display an indicator representing the capacity value received from the cassette as the upper limit, and a bar controller for controlling the display device to display a bar moving toward the indicator and having a length corresponding to the received capacity value of the radiation image information while the radiation image information is being received.

Abstract: A method of performing high repetition rate laser time domain imaging employs as fluoroprobes semiconductor nanocrystals having a fluorescence lifetime less than the laser pulse separation, typically less than 5 ns. The nanocrystals of the invention have a core/shell structure and may be surface treated to increase radiative decay. CdSe/Zns nanocrystals are particularly suitable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a radiation image conversion panel comprising a substrate and a phosphor layer, the method comprising heating an evaporation source containing a phosphor raw material to evaporate the raw material and depositing an evaporated material on the substrate to form the phosphor layer, while the substrate being heated, wherein in (ii), a temperature of the substrate increases at a rate of 0 to 5° C./min, and falling within a range of from 60 to 110° C.

Abstract: In a photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel wherein said screen comprises storage phosphor particles dispersed in a binder and wherein said particles have a particle size distribution having a d99 which is not more than 15 ?m, said d99 expressing a grain size limit above which not more than 1% by weight of phosphor powder particles is present in said phosphor powder, its structure noise parameter DQE2rel exceeds a value of 0.70 and a ratio of d99 (expressed in ?m) and DQE2rel is not more than 25:1, wherein DQE2rel is the ratio of the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 22 mR to the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 3 mR, as expressed in formula (I) DQE2rel=DQE2(22 mR))/DQE2(3 mR)??(I) which is representative for an amount of screen-structure noise produced by said screen or panel in the complete spatial frequency range.

Abstract: This endoscope apparatus comprises an insertion section to be inserted into a space to be inspected, a light emitting device for illuminating inside of the space, a fluorescent member provided at a tip-end of the insertion section and emitting fluorescent light with light from the light emitting device as excitation light, a light guide transmitting the light from the light emitting device to the fluorescent member, a light branching member for branching a part of the fluorescent light returned from the fluorescent member, and an optical sensor for detecting light from the light branching member, and when the illumination light becomes dark due to a failure or removal of the tip-end section of the endoscope, an image with low luminance is not displayed, glare at replacement of the tip-end section can be reduced to improve workability and the diameter of the insertion section can be thinned.

Abstract: In favor of adhesion between phosphor layer and support in a radiation image phosphor or scintillator panel comprising as an arrangement of layers, in consecutive order, a support, a precoat layer and a phosphor or scintillator layer having needle-shaped phosphor or scintillator crystals, said precoat layer comprises as a binder an organic cross-linkable monomer, oligomer, polymer or a mixture thereof and a pigment in a weight ratio of pigment to binder in the range from 1/10 to 10/1.

Abstract: The endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises an insertion section inserted into a space to be inspected, a light emitting device for emitting excitation light, a fluorescent member for emitting illumination light obtained by mixing the excitation light and fluorescent light excited by the excitation light into the space from the tip end of the insertion section, an optical sensor for detecting return light, a part of the illumination light, a light guide for light detection provided with one end facing the fluorescent member and the other end facing the optical sensor for transmitting the return light emitted from the fluorescent member to the optical sensor, a wavelength limiting member provided between the other end of the light guide and the optical sensor for limiting the wavelength of the return light, and a light detection portion for detecting intensity of the return light detected at the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for analysing and authenticating a luminescent tag are provided wherein a luminescence is triggered in the tag and relative light intensities emitted thereby measured within at least two luminescence bands. The measured intensities are compared with at least one reference tag representative of relative intensities emitted by an authentic tag to determine whether the luminescent tag corresponds with any of the at least one reference tag. If the measured intensities match the representative intensities, the luminescent tag is authenticated. A computer program to be implemented by the apparatus and system is also disclosed. Further, a method and system for verifying the authenticity of one or plural objects are disclosed, wherein each of the objects is to be associated with a respective tag. The respective tags are coded to emit light, when triggered, within at least two luminescence bands at respective predetermined relative light intensities.

Abstract: A phosphor panel is composed of a phosphor layer consisting essentially of phosphor in the form of columnar crystals and a protective layer provided on the phosphor layer via an adhesive layer, in which the adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.3 ?m or more and intrudes into the phosphor layer in a depth of 2.0 ?m or less.

Abstract: In a photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel wherein said screen comprises storage phosphor particles dispersed in a binder and wherein said particles have a particle size distribution having a d99 which is not more than 15 ?m, said d99 expressing a grain size limit above which not more than 1% by weight of phosphor powder particles is present in said phosphor powder, its structure noise parameter DQE2rel exceeds a value of 0.70 and a ratio of d99 (expressed in ?m) and DQE2rel is not more than 25:1, wherein DQE2rel is the ratio of the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 22 mR to the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 3 mR, as expressed in formula (I) DQE2rel=DQE2(22 mR))/DQE2(3 mR)??(I) which is representative for an amount of screen-structure noise produced by said screen or panel in the complete spatial frequency range.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel having a support, an underlayer, and a phosphor layer of a phosphor composed of a matrix compound and an activator and is formed on the underlayer by a gas phase-accumulation method, the underlayer consists essentially of the matrix compound and has a relative density lower than a relative density of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel composed of a substrate and a layer of stimulable phosphor is prepared in an evaporation chamber kept at a pressure of 0.1 to 10 Pa by the steps of heating a source of the stimulable phosphor in the chamber so that the source is evaporated to give a gaseous product and depositing the gaseous product on the substrate which is arranged above the source to form the layer of stimulable phosphor on the substrate, in which the evaporation chamber has a diffusion preventing wall member surrounding a space between the source and the substrate, a top of which is positioned in the vicinity of a periphery of the substrate and a bottom of which is positioned in the vicinity of the source; and the diffusion preventing wall member is maintained at a temperature lower than a temperature of the source and higher than a temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: A scintillator plate for radiation containing a substrate having thereon a fluorescent layer, wherein the fluorescent layer contains CsF crystals.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for improving the reusability of a computed radiography (CR) plate by housing it in a cassette. The CR plate remains in the cassette during scanning. The embodiments of the method and apparatus improve the reusability of the CR plate.

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).

Abstract: The invention relates to an image carrier for the storage of X-ray information, as well as a corresponding system and method for the processing of such an image carrier. In order to improve the reliability when taking account of the sensitivity of the image carrier to X-radiation, the image carrier includes an electronic memory for the storage of calibration data of the image carrier that represent a measure of the sensitivity of the image carrier to X-radiation and can be used in a processing of image signals that are obtained on a reading of the X-ray information from the image carrier.

Abstract: The stimulable phosphor panel includes a rigid substrate, a stimulable phosphor layer formed on the rigid substrate and a transparent moisture-resistant protective layer formed on the stimulable phosphor layer. The stimulable phosphor layer is housed and sealed in an airtight area formed between the rigid substrate and the transparent moisture-resistant protective layer. The panel further includes a buffer space communicating with the airtight area capable of expansion/contraction. The buffer space is defined by a recess formed in the substrate, a ventilation hole connecting the recess with the airtight area and being formed in the substrate, and a flexible sheet covering an opening of the recess. Or, the buffer space has a volume variable within a range from 1/10 to twice of a sum of a spatial volume of the airtight area and a volume of the buffer space at 1 atm.

Abstract: A phosphor panel favorably employable for medical diagnosis of chest has a phosphor layer formed on a substrate by a gas phase-accumulation method, in which the phosphor layer is composed of a large number of phosphor columns standing parallel to each other, in which the phosphor columns have a mean diameter of 0.1 to 50 ?m at a top surface thereof, and there are no phosphor columns having a diameter larger than 200 ?m at the top surface.

Abstract: The radiographic image conversion panel for mammography includes a phosphor layer formed on a rectangular substrate having first and second pairs of two parallel sides, and sealed with a moisture-proof protective film. The phosphor layer is positioned on the substrate such that a distance from at least one side of the first pair to an adjacent end of the phosphor layer is shorter than a critical bonding length being a shortest bonding length long enough to provide a predetermined level of moisture-proof effect and distances from two sides of the second pair to adjacent ends of the phosphor layer are not shorter than the critical length. A seal bonding layer is formed in areas of the second distance, and on a side surface having the at least one side or on the side surface and a rear surface of the substrate. The phosphor layer may be formed in a recess formed in the substrate.

Abstract: The radiation image conversion panel includes a substrate having a metallic surface, a polyparaxylylene layer formed on the metallic surface of the substrate, an oxide layer being formed on the polyparaxylylene layer and including an oxide represented by the following formula: MxOy wherein M is an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr and Al, when M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, x is 1 and y is 2, and when M is Al, x is 2 and y is 3, and a phosphor layer formed on the oxide layer by vapor-phase deposition.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer, wherein the phosphor layer is formed with a vapor deposition method, and an adhesion force of the phosphor layer with the substrate is greater than a breaking strength of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A respiration phantom that may be used to perform quality assurance on a radiation delivery system. The respiration phantom includes a human-like skeletal structure, at least one deformable component, and a respiration actuator. The deformable component is positionable at least partially internal to the human-like skeletal structure, has a shape resembling an organ of a human anatomy, and attenuates radiation substantially similarly to the organ of the human anatomy. The respiration actuator is positioned to deform the deformable component with a respiration-like motion.

Abstract: A system for obtaining data from an imaging plate is provided. The system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam and a controller operably connected to the light source and configured to scan the light beam across an object in a first direction. The system further includes a mask comprising a positionable aperture configured to transmit the light beam to the object. A position of the aperture is synchronized with a position of the light beam.

Abstract: In a method of annealing a storage phosphor screen comprising a photostimulable phosphor by adding energy in form of heat and/or radiation, said method is applied during a time and in relative humidity conditions such that said phosphor shows peaks in an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum measured at a frequency of 34 GHz, at flux densities of magnetic fields of 880 mT, 1380 mT and 1420 mT, wherein said peaks exceed normalized signal intensity percentages of at least 45% and even of at least 55%, wherein a central peak height in the said EPR-spectrum, measured at a magnetic flux density of 1220 mT, is calculated to have a normalized value of 100%.

Abstract: A storage phosphor cassette for use in recording radiographic images of elongated objects. The cassette comprises a shell and a single storage phosphor plate. The shell includes first and second opposite open ends. The single storage phosphor plate is housed within the shell and is adapted to be at least partially removable from the shell through the first and second open ends. A radiation image of the elongate object can be read by extracting a first portion of the single plate through one of the two opposing ends of the cassette and scanning the first portion of the single storage phosphor plate to obtain a first partial image, and then extracting a second portion of the single plate through the other of the two opposing ends of the cassette and scanning the second portion of the single storage phosphor plate to obtain a second partial image. The first and second partial images can be combined to form the image of the elongate object.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel containing: (a) a quadrilateral phosphor plate containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer; and (b) a barrier film which envelops the phosphor plate by being folded back so that the barrier film faces itself and forms an envelop which is folded on one side and sealed on the other three sides, wherein the barrier film contains two cover sheets and a cushion layer sandwiched between the cover sheets.

Abstract: A method of producing a radiation image conversion panel containing the steps of: forming a stimulable phosphor layer on a substrate via a vapor deposition method to form a phosphor panel; heating the phosphor panel in a gas atmosphere of a halogen-containing solvent; and sealing the phosphor panel heated in the gas atmosphere of the halogen-containing solvent by sandwiching the phosphor panel between two resin films, followed by applying heat to peripheral edges of the two resin films to heat and fuse the resin films each other, wherein a lowest temperature of the heat is 150° C. or more.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus including a sensor panel, having a photoreceiving unit constituted of plural photoelectric converting elements two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate and electrical connecting portions provided in an external portion of the photoreceiving unit and electrically connected to the photoelectric converting elements of respective rows or columns of the photoreceiving unit, a phosphor layer provided at least on the photoreceiving unit for converting a radiation into a light detectable by the photoelectric converting element, and a phosphor protective member covering the phosphor layer and in contact with the sensor panel, characterized in that the phosphor protective member includes a frame member provided between the phosphor layer and the electric connecting portion on the sensor panel, and a phosphor protective layer covering an upper surface of the phosphor layer and provided in close contact with an upper surface of the frame member.

Abstract: A radiation image formation read out method for a storage phosphor screen. A phosphor screen is exposed to a first stimulating radiation from a first side of the screen to release a first stimulated radiation in the pattern of the stored image. The first stimulating radiation is at a first power level, a first scan speed, and a first set of scanning parameters and is photoelectrically detected. The storage phosphor screen is again exposed to a second stimulating radiation from the first side of the screen to release a second stimulated radiation in the pattern of the stored image. The second stimulating radiation is at a second power level, a second scan speed, and a second set of scanning parameters. The second scanning exposure is higher than the first scanning exposure and the second set of scanning parameters differs in at least one parameter from the first set of scanning parameters.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel has a phosphor layer containing an energy-storing phosphor, in which the storage panel has a surface showing an absorbance of 0.2 to 0.5 at the stimulating wavelength of the phosphor, and the phosphor layer contains the phosphor at a packing density of 3.0 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: A method of indicating the condition of an item comprises illuminating the item to excite one or more photoluminescent markers incorporated within the item. Photoluminescent emission from the markers in response to the excitation is compared to one or more pre-defined photoluminescent signatures indicating different conditions of the item.