Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette holder intended for a mammography apparatus, the holder being suitable for cassettes of different sizes and having means by which the holder can be widened or narrowed to a suitable size by the moving of a detachable cassette retainer (4, 4").

Abstract: A package for a stack of film sheets has a pouch that is sealed around the stack of sheets and a leader that is secured to the pouch and engageable with a spindle in a magazine so that rotation of the spindle can pull the pouch from around the stack of sheets. The pouch and leader are formed of different polyolefin materials with the pouch comprising a material having a low coefficient of friction to enable the pouch to be easily pulled around the stack of sheets while the leader comprises a material having a high coefficient of friction to facilitate engagement with the spindle and pulling the pouch uniformly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X ray film cassette with a permanent marking means for identifying the side of the radiographic film that faced the X ray tube during exposure. Such identification is achieved irrespective of whether the film is exposed through the cover or base of the cassette and does not require any separate action by the X ray technologist, eliminating the element of human error. In a preferred embodiment, the working means is comprised of chirally asymmetric X ray opaque and/or light-opaque letters or markings permanently mounted in the film cassette. A user friendly apparatus is described, for installing the light-opaque markers on the intensifying screens of the X ray film cassette.

Abstract: A receive magazine for collecting and transporting sheets of exposed photographic media. The receive magazine includes an elongated, light-tight enclosure having front and back walls, top and bottom walls, and first and second end walls. Sheets of media are gravity fed into the magazine entrance through a collection door on the top wall of the enclosure. The collection door includes a media-receiving slot, a shutter and a spring for biasing the shutter to a normally closed, light-tight position over the slot. A lower downwardly sloping resilient member mounted to the front wall engages the sheets as they are inserted into the magazine and forces the sheets into a vertically stacked arrangement against the back wall of the enclosure, away from the entrance. A ramp surface on the back wall guides sheets being inserted over previously collected sheets. A compound curved surface on the back wall of the enclosure below the ramp surface arcs the sheets to minimize contact during insertion.

Abstract: The X-ray film cassette has an interior portion and two cassette sections pivotally connected with each other by the frame hinge joint. The two cassette sections have opposing small sides positioned remotely from the frame hinge joint lockable with each other at the opposing small sides. The frame hinge joint is a plastic member having opposing longitudinal sides, each of which is provided with a jaw-like groove. Each cassette section has a complementary projection and is lockable with one of the longitudinal sides by insertion of the complementary projection in the jaw-like groove. Reinforced side pieces (3e, 3f) of the plastic member (3) form the jaw-like grooves, a projecting nose (1b, 2b) is provided on each of the complementary projecting members (1a, 2a), and the plastic member (3) is provided with three recesses (3a, 3b) on a strip which connects the side pieces, which form three suitable bending lines for the frame hinge joint.

Abstract: In connection with X-ray or like examination there is used a cassette holder arrangement which is carried by a frame structure (7) by means of pivotal arms (4) which are capable of being swung in the horizontal plane, such as to adjust the position of the cassette in the vertical direction. The arrangement enables pictures to be taken of a sitting patient in mutually perpendicular directions, with the aid of a radiation source (2). The cassette holder (3) can be swung between the exposure positions in a circuit path around the sitting patient, by activation of one of the arms (4). To this end there can be used a parallel linkage (11) which is operative to guide the cassette holder during this pivotal movement. the cassette holder is fixated relative to one of the arms (4), by means of a locking device (8), which is released when wishing to pivot the cassette holder. The invention also relates to a cassette holder arrangement of the aforedescribed kind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting system of a sliding plate of a magazine comprising a magazine case and a sliding plate which travels in a linear direction inside the magazine case. The system is comprised of a guide bar that is secured to the lower cover of the magazine, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower cover. The sliding plate rests upon the guide bar and upon support screws arranged on the end part of the magazine case against the front portion of the sliding plate.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a moving carriage having two levers hinged and designed to move equally and in opposite directions by a gear system. The movements of the levers are guided by at least one groove formed in a supporting plate, with a peg fixed to the lever co-operating with the groove. The groove includes at least two spaced-apart rectilinear portions, each corresponding to a different size of cartridge, thereby enabling the cartridge to be moved on the supporting plate.

Abstract: A supply magazine has a drawer-shaped, upwardly open box for introducing a sheet film stack in a light-tight envelope and for withdrawing individual sheet films after removal of the envelope, a cover part movable relative to the box, a unit for winding the envelope in a closed condition of the magazine. The cover part is formed as a flat parallelepiped which is open at its front small side and such that the box which is open at its upper side can be moved in and out of the cover part, a locking mechanism operates for locking the cover part and the box when the box is moved in. A lockable and swingable flap cover is provided on a flat side of the cover part corresponding to the upper side of the box so that when the box is moved in the cover part a sheet film stack can be inserted in the box through the flap cover.

Abstract: A storage type stimulable phosphor sheet holding device attached to an exposure apparatus, which has a cassette charging unit which is to be charged with the cassette, two pairs of cover opening mechanisms provided below the storage type phosphor sheet holding device and used to open the cover member of the cassette, a sheet holding unit for accommodating and holding therein an already-exposed storage type phosphor sheet taken out of the cassette, a sheet shifting mechanism for shifting the storage type phosphor sheet S to the sheet holding unit.

Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics apparatus for obtaining an x-ray exposure of a bedridden patient permits the exposure to be obtained without moving the patient from the bed. The patient bed has two patient bearing surfaces. The patient lies on the upper surface, and a lower surface is vertically adjustable beneath the upper surface. When the lower surface is lowered to permit the introduction of an x-ray cassette between the upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface is supported, such as by a fabric tentered to the bed frame. An optical system is provided for accurately positioning the x-ray film cassette, and a wireless transmission path for an automatic exposure unit may also be provided.

Abstract: A sheet of x-ray film in a film cassette is identified with patient data by first providing such data to a data carrier, such as an LCD unit, mounted on the cassette and facing away from the cassette. Then the film that is removed from the cassette in a light-tight environment and exposed to the patient data in the data carrier.

Abstract: A radiographic film cassette exposes a sheet of film to X-rays projected along an X-ray path by an X-ray tube. The cassette has an inner surface defining a recess for receiving the film sheet. A base having an inner surface is adapted to close upon the cover for securing the film sheet. A key is permanently mounted to the cover and disposed within the recess to provide the recess with chiral asymmetry. The sheet of film has a cutout adapted to engage the key. A marker is permanently fixed along at least one edge of the film. The key is so mounted that its disposition within the recess permits engagement with the cutout in only one orientation of the film sheet therein. The marker has chiral asymmetry and cooperates with the key and the cutout to identify the side of the film sheet facing the X-ray tube during exposure.

Abstract: An X-ray cassette for retaining an X-ray sheet film or the like. The frame (13) of the X-ray cassette comprises corner members (20) corresponding to corner portions of a front plate and straight members (30), connected to the corner members and corresponding to side portions of the front plate. The corner members (20) each have a nearly L-shaped body (21), fitting projections (22) protruding from both ends of the body (21) and fitting pins (23) formed integrally. The straight members (30) have each fitting recesses (31, 32) to receive the fitting projections (22) and fitting pins (23) of the corner member (20), with front-plate receiving grooves (24, 33) formed continuous in the inner walls of the corner members (20) and straight members (30) for receiving edge portions of the front plate (12). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the X-ray cassette and improve the strength thereof.

Abstract: The X-ray sheet film cassette has a top part hinged to a base part. The bottom of the base part is provided with a frame enclosing a film supporting plate through which the radiation is transmitted. The supporting plate has a laminated structure including two face plates of thermoplastically bonded carbon fibers and a comparatively thicker intermediate plate of a synthetic hard foam rubber sandwiched between the face plates and being glued thereto. The face plates are considerably thinner than the intermediate plate in the laminated supporting plate of the present invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in X-ray cassette unloading and loading apparatus, including novel detection of presence or absence of film in the cassette and the position thereof in the upper or lower cassette part, utilizing radiation, such as infra-red, to which the film is not sensitive. Radiation is directed into each cassette part after opening and the radiation reflected from the respective parts is compared. The radiation means, as well as means for holding the cassette parts in open position and air jet means for releasing film from the upper cassette portion, are all mounted on parallelly moving guide members which engage the lateral edges of the cassette to position it.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cassette comprising a front element hinged on the rear edge thereof to a back element of the cassette and a first fluorescent intensifying screen fixed, in the interior of said cassette, to said front element and a second fluorescent intensifying screen fixed, in the interior of said cassette, to said back element of the cassette, to be used with a radiographic film situated between and in close contact with said screens.The cassette is characterized by the fact that the first intensifying screen comprises a first radiation emitting phosphor and the second intensifying screen comprises a second radiation emitting phosphor, and in that said first radiation emitted by said first intensifying screen are in a first wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum and said second radiation emitted by said second intensifying screen are in a second region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A storage phosphor cassette assembly includes a rectangular cassette and a photo-stimulable storage phosphor mounted on a rigid plate removably positioned within the cassette. The rectangular cassette is closed on five sides and has a side opening which is closed off by a rib on the end of the storage phosphor plate. The cassette and rib are configured to provide a light lock to prevent undesirable exposure of the storage phosphor.

Abstract: A motorized sheet film cartridge comprises a light proof housing which defines an opening in its top wall. A refillable tray containing stacked sheet films is slidable in the housing. The housing includes a slidable door which displaces in a longitudinal direction horizontally over the tray and its content of sheet films between open and closed positions thereof. In its closed position, the door closes the housing opening, whereas in its open position, sheet films contained in the housing can be removed therefrom through the opening. The door is operated by a reversible DC motor which drives a pair of endless chains provided on each longitudinal side of the door for displacing the door between its open and closed positions. The motor is actuated by an external computer to appropriately open or close the door. The computer also verifies that the door is closed except when film is being loaded in the cartridge or unloaded therefrom through the opening. The cartridge is removable and portable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining film processor performance. Films for use in radiographic imaging, adapted to evaluate performance of a film processor which develops an image of a structure of interest on the films are provided. The films have exposable areas for radiographically imaging the structure of interest, and test means integrally located on the exposable areas for determining the performance of the processor which develops the radiographic image on the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading x-ray film cassettes of various sizes, using an air jet to release a sheet of film from a pivotally open upper cassette part, the air jet nozzle being carried by a lever arrangement such that the nozzle is moved upwardly with the upper cassette part as the latter moves to its open position.

Abstract: Cassette centering device for an X-ray cassette loading and unloading device using two parallelly movable guides engageable with the side edges of the cassette, the guides being movable by a lever arrangement driven by a motor, the lever arrangement including a link having two telescoping parts and biasing means constituting force absorbing means for cushioning the engagement of the guides with the cassette and compensating for motor overdrive.

Abstract: A device for moving film from a supply magazine to a cassette loading station, the film removing device being in a unit with a film holding channel formed by parallel groups of rollers which engage opposed edges of the film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film feeding mechanism for use during medical x-ray techniques, particularly angiography. Sheets of film are fed sequentially at high speed from a film magazine into a film exposure device, and then into a film receiving cassette, in a manner so as to reduce damage to the films, including the build-up and discharge of static charge on the films. In the film exposure device, a free-floating lower clamping assembly clamps each film against an upper clamping assembly from the center of the film progressively outward towards its leading and trailing ends, to eliminate wrinkling of the film. The upper clamping assembly is of thin construction so as to enable the locating of an object being x-rayed closely adjacent the x-ray film, to produce x-rays of exceptionally high resolution.

Abstract: In an X-ray equipment, a photographing program including a plurality of photographic formats is stored in advance. Program photographing is performed in accordance with the photographic formats read out in a predetermined order. When an interrupt signal is input during program photographing, a read operation of the photographic formats is temporarily interrupted, and photographing is performed in accordance with a newly input photographic format. In addition, when a skip signal is input during program photographing, the read out photographic format is cancelled, and program photographing is performed in accordance with the next photographic format.

Abstract: A magazine receives a package having a stack of film sheets, such as x-ray film sheets, enclosed within a light-tight flexible bag. When the bag is positioned within the magazine and the magazine closed, the bag is cut and then removed from the magazine through is lightlock. A pair of stripper bars in the magazine are located between the lightlock and the stack of film sheets in the bag. The bars form a curved slot that enables the bag to be withdrawn through the slot while the bars block movement of the film sheets through the slot with the bag.

Abstract: An x-ray film magazine has a housing and a cover which in combination form an interior volume having an approximately C-shaped cross section, which receives a number of sheets of x-ray film in a stack made to conform to the C-shaped cross section. A foil is provided in the interior of the magazine having one end rigidly connected to a base of the housing, and an opposite end being resiliently connected to the cover of the magazine. The foil at least partially supports a bottom-most or lowest sheet of the stack of x-ray film sheets, and due to the resilient mounting of the foil, always presents the uppermost sheet in the stack of film sheets to be presented in a position which permits the uppermost sheet to be reliably conveyed out of the magazine to an exposure position in an exposure component adjacent the film magazine.

Abstract: A film package has a flexible light-shielding bag with a stack of sheet films stored therein, the flexible light-shielding bag having at least opposite ends sealed in a direction in which the flexible light-shielding bag can be pulled out, said opposite ends being folded back on one surface and joined together by a seal. The film package is placed in a holder which can be inserted into and removed from a main body of a film loading device.

Abstract: An x-ray film cassette is disclosed having a pair of covers at least one of which is resilient and prestressed to arch inwardly when the cassette is opened and to flatten from contact with the interior contents of the cassette when the cassette is pressed closed. A flexible x-ray grid is bonded to the interior of the cover to arch and flatten congruently with the cover. The grid is flexible enough to arch and flatten congruently with the resilient cover which protects the structural integrity of the grid by limiting flexing of the grid to predetermined limits defined by the degree of prestress of the cover.

Abstract: In a device for holding down the lower cassette portion (19a) of an X-ray film cassette which is located in a cassette unloading and reloading apparatus, a hold-down lever (20, 21) is mounted to each of two parallely guided bars (10, 12) movable towards and away from each other respectively, said hold-down lever being pivotable into, and out of the transport path of the X-ray film cassette to accurately position said cassette. Each hold-down lever (20, 21) comprises a control arm (20a, 21a) resting against each of the two side walls (19d, 19e) of the upper cassette portion (19c). Since the control arms (20a, 21a) are upwardly inclined such that they form control surfaces facing the side walls (19d, 19e) of the upper cassette portion (19c), the hold-down levers (20, 21) are held in engagement with the lower cassette portion (19a) when the upper cassette portion (19c) is in its open position and are disengaged from the lower cassette portion (19a) when the upper cassette portion (19c) is in its closed position.

Abstract: An exposure unit for a film changer includes a fastening arrangement for upper and lower platens which are movable relative to one another so that film is introduceable therebetween when in one position and so that the film is pressed between the platens when the platens are in another position. The fastening arrangements of at least the upper platen are resiliently formed to insure parallelism between the lower platen and the upper platen during exposure of the film when the platens press against the film.

Abstract: A light shield for an x-ray film sheet cassette is provided with increased flexibility in its end portions to prevent bowing of the shield when it is subjected to abnormal forces in its center portion. This is accomplished by notching the front lip of the light shield in the end portions of the shield.

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.

Abstract: An x-ray film cassette is provided which is formed in two mating pieces that snap together to form a sealed cassette. The pieces are formed of a soft, flexible material such as rubber or plastic and can be sterilized. An inside surface of the two pieces is coated with an exposure reduction material and an x-ray negative film is carried in the sealed cassette. The cassette can be opened and closed without the use of tools, and, due to its flexible nature can be used to obtain x-ray pictures of internal body organs during surgery.

Abstract: A contoured X-ray imaging system consists of an X-ray source and X-ray film holding cassette for taking X-ray pictures closely adjacent to a body surface without unnecessary exposure of adjacent body parts to X-rays. The X-ray cassette is contoured to the outline of a structure or a body part to evaluate it without the radiation spreading unnecessarily to the adjacent areas. The X-ray cassette is a thin flat box which has an edge wall contoured outline of the subject or an adjacent structure. The X-ray source and intervening shields or the like are each configured to project an X-ray beam which is contoured in the same contour as the film-holding cassette so that the X-rays reach the film in the same contour as avoid unnecessary exposure of adjacent portions of the body to the X-rays.

Abstract: A light-tight, tearable covering for a stack of sheet films to be inserted into a supply magazine of a sheet film-loading device, with the supply magazine provided with a pulling device for removing the covering after closing the supply magazine, the covering has a flat side, a winding flap engageable by the pulling device, a closure flap releasably held on the flat side, and a flat recess-forming portion provided on the flat side and formed so that the closure flap in a wrapped condition is insertable into the recess-forming portion.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a sheet feed section capable of selectively holding a cassette for housing a single stimulable phosphor sheet carrying a radiation image stored thereon or a magazine for housing a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets each carrying a radiation image stored thereon. The sheet feed section is provided with a sheet take-out device for taking the stimulable phosphor sheet out of the cassette and the magazine. A read-out section is provided for reading out the radiation image by exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to stimulating rays which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the stored radiation energy, and photoelectrically detecting the emitted light. A sheet conveyor conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet taken out of the sheet feed section to the read-out section.

Abstract: A comfort-enhancing improvement upon a known dental film packet having sensitized film and protection opaque sheets enclosed by a light-tight envelope that includes an opposed pair of generally parallel walls covering the sheets, those walls being joined together along facing marginal areas thereof surrounding the sheets so as to define a main body portion and a perimetric edge portion of the envelope. The improvement comprises a deflectable lateral extension of the perimetric edge portion, the extension projecting outwardly therefrom by an amount rendering the edge portion and its extension sufficiently flexible to be readily deflected and folded back around part of the main body portion toward one of said walls, thereby forming a curved resilient cushion where so folded, when the packet is intraorally positioned for a radiographic exposure.

Abstract: A sheet film package comprises a casing, a stack of sheet films stored in said casing, and a protective board disposed in said for protecting said sheet films. The protective board has a holder portion integrally joined to one side edge of an upper panel and/or a lower panel thereof for preventing the sheet films from being displaced in a direction transverse to the direction in which the sheet films wil be fed out. The sheet film package also includes a buffer sheet member disposed on the lower panel of the protective board for placing the sheet films on the buffer sheet member. The buffer sheet member has at least one opening such as a hole or a slit for leaking suction air in each of two symmetrical areas of the buffer sheet member, one of which will be contacted by a suction cup of a film delivery mechanism disposed in a device in which the sheet film package can be loaded. The buffer sheet member has a foamed sheet layer made of thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: An energy detecting cassette for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of the interior of objects consists of a flat box for holding an image fixing medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the surface of an object adjacent or next to the portion of the object to be subjected to detectable energy.

Abstract: A device for attachment to an X-ray film cassette to indicate whether or not the film has been exposed to X-radiation comprises a phosphor screen (12) which fluoresces on exposure to X-radiation. A photocell (14) detects the light emitted by the screen and generates a control signal which is used to alter the display status of a liquid crystal display (24) from a first condition which indicates that the film in the cassette has not been exposed to X-radiation to a second condition where it indicates that exposure has taken place. A latch circuit (20) is used to retain the altered display even after exposure to X-radiation ceases. The device therefore gives a clear indication of whether or not the film in the cassette has been exposed to X-radiation. The circuit is powered from a nickel cadmium cell (26), the power supply circuit of which incorporates a micro switch (28).

Abstract: A cover latch mechanism is disclosed for a photographic cassette, such as an x-ray film sheet cassette. Such cassettes typically have side walls, end walls and opposing front and rear cover walls in which one of the cover walls is rigidly secured to the end walls and side walls. The other cover wall is slidably moved along grooves in the side walls from a normally closed position to an open position for allowing easy access to the inside of the cassette for cleaning and maintenance. A latch mechanism is disclosed for releasably latching the other cover wall in its normally closed position.

Abstract: A cassette for a stimulable phosphor sheet, includes a casing for storing the stimulable phosphor sheet therein, a cover openably and closably mounted on a portion of the casing, and a light-shielding plate mounted on the remaining portion of the casing for cooperating with the cover in keeping the stored stimulable phosphor sheet in a light-shielded condition. The stimulable phosphor sheet can be taken out of the casing by opening the cover. The cover has at least one locking finger normally urged by a spring to engage the casing to lock the cover in a closed position. The locking finger may be displaced by a presser pin inserted through a hole defined in a side of the casing or a hole defined in a bottom of the casing for unlocking the cover from the casing.

Abstract: A cassette for storing an image recording carrier such as a stimulable phosphor sheet has a casing for holding the image recording carrier therein under light-shielding conditions, and at least one lid member mounted on one end of the casing and openable and closable under a pressure applied thereto. The casing with said one end directed vertically downwardly is loaded through a cassette insertion slot into an apparatus for processing the image recording carrier. When the casing is introduced in the apparatus, the lid member is forcibly opened for allowing the image recording carrier to be delivered by gravity out of the casing.

Abstract: A sheet film package includes a tray for storing sheet films, a first cover member for covering a film access opening defined in the tray, and a second cover member joined to the first cover member inwardly of an area where the first cover member starts to be peeled off. After the sheet film package has been loaded in a device such as an image recorder, the first cover member is cut off at the peeling-starting area by a cutter mechanism in the device, and the second cover member is pulled to peel the first cover member off the tray from the cut-off peeling-starting area, so that the film-access opening can reliably be opened in a bright room.

Abstract: A cassette for storing an image recording medium includes a casing for housing the image recording medium therein, and a cover openably and closably mounted on the casing for holding the image recording medium in a light-shielding manner in the casing. A resilient member such as a leaf spring or a sponge body is disposed in the casing for placing the image recording medium thereon. Alternatively, a lifter is operatively coupled between the cover and the casing for placing the image recording medium thereon. When the cover is opened in a device having a sheet feed system, the image recording medium can be brought by the resilient member or the lifter into a position facing the sheet feed system and then fed out of the casing by the sheet feed system.

Abstract: A film package has a flexible light-shielding bag with a stack of sheet films stored therein, the flexible light-shielding bag having at least opposite ends sealed in a direction in which the flexible light-shielding bag can be pulled out, said opposite ends being folded back on one surface and joined together by a seal. The film package is placed in a holder which can be inserted into and removed from a main body of a film loading device.

Abstract: A front plate for X-ray film cassettes, is disclosed in which outer layers made up of carbon fiber reinforced resin layers are laid on both surfaces of an intermediate layer made up of synthetic fiber reinforced resin layers, respectively, and outmost layers made up of synthetic fiber reinforced resin layers are laid on the outer surfaces of the carbon fiber reinforced resin layers, respectively, to form a multi-layer structure.

Abstract: A cassette includes a hollow shell having a drawer on which a photostimulable luminescent (PSL) substrate is attached, such as by adhesive or the like. The drawer is movable into and out of the shell so the substrate can be exposed to x-rays while in the shell but can be scanned with scanning equipment when the drawer is out of the shell.

Abstract: In an X-ray apparatus which photographs a radiogram on a film in a cassette, a local film portion in a peripheral of the film has a local film contour that is distinct from other portions of the film, and a local cassette portion in a peripheral of the cassette has a local cassette contour that is distinct from other portions of the cassette. When the film is set in the cassette, the local film portion is superimposed on the local cassette portion.