Luminescent Imaging Patents (Class 430/139)
  • Patent number: 7008748
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials include a co-precipitate comprising first and second organic silver salts, the first organic silver salt comprising a silver salt of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound containing an imino group, and the second organic silver salt comprising a silver salt of a mercaptotriazole. The first organic silver salt can be used in the imaging process as a source of reducible silver ions, and the second organic silver salt can be a source of a toning agent. The co-precipitate can be prepared using double-jet precipitation techniques to provide an aqueous dispersion that can be used in imaging formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dirk J. Hasberg, Doreen C. Lynch, Kui Chen-Ho, Chaofeng Zou
  • Patent number: 7005226
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly comprises a symmetric radiographic silver halide film has an overall system speed of at least 200 but less than 800 to provide images with improved contrast and sharpness and reduced fog. The imaging assembly includes a symmetric radiographic silver halide film having a speed of at least 700 that includes two silver halide emulsions on both sides of the support that comprise tabular silver halide grains. The emulsions closer to the support comprise a suitable crossover control agent. The imaging assembly also includes a pair of phosphor intensifying screens that have a screen sharpness measurement (SSM) greater than reference Curve A of FIG. 4. The screens can have a support that includes a reflective substrate comprising a continuous polyester phase and microvoids containing inorganic particles dispersed within the polyester phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6989223
    Abstract: A high-speed (over 700) radiographic silver halide film is useful for radiography to provide images with improved contrast and sharpness and reduced fog. The film includes at least one tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on each side of a film support which grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.05% of oxidized gelatin, based on the total dry weight of the hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture. Where multiple silver halide emulsion layers are disposed on each side of the film support, the emulsion layers closest to the support on each side can include crossover control agents to reduce crossover to less than 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6977139
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials include a novel non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions that are predominantly provided as rod-shaped particles of silver salt of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound containing an imino group. The rod-shaped particles have an average aspect ratio of at least 3:1 and a width index for particle diameter of 1.25 or less, and provide improved imaging properties. These particles can be prepared using double jet precipitation procedures in which vAg is kept constant at a value of equal to or greater than ?50 mV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dirk J. Hasberg, Chaofeng Zou
  • Patent number: 6967071
    Abstract: An ultra-high-speed radiographic imaging assembly (at least 900 system speed) is useful especially for pediatric radiography to provide images with improved contrast and sharpness and reduced fog. The imaging assembly includes a symmetric film having a speed of at least 400 that includes at least two silver halide emulsion layers on each side of a film support that comprise tabular silver halide grains. The imaging assembly also includes two fluorescent intensifying screens wherein the pair of screens has a screen speed of at least 400 and the screens have an average screen sharpness measurement (SSM) value greater than reference Curve A of FIG. 4. The screens can have a support that includes a reflective substrate comprising a continuous polyester phase and microvoids containing inorganic particles dispersed within the polyester phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6964837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one radiation crosslinkable, preferably UV crosslinkable, polymer composition as a data recording medium, especially in the form of what are known as smart coatings based on such polymer compositions, which in a further embodiment comprises at least one fluorescence chromophore, and also to a composite at least comprising one support and one layer comprising a radiation crosslinkable polymer composition comprising at least one fluorescence chromophore, and also, preferably, an additional UV absorbing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schrof, Harald Röckel, Rüdiger Füssl, Karl-Heinz Schumacher, Ralf Fink
  • Patent number: 6964842
    Abstract: Aqueous-based photothermographic materials comprise a hydrophilic binder, preformed silver halides, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent composition, and one or more benzothiazolium, benzoselenazolium, or benzotellurazolium salts as antifoggants. These photothermographic materials can be used in combination with phosphor intensifying screens for radiographic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chaofeng Zou, Roger L. Klaus
  • Patent number: 6960426
    Abstract: This invention concerns a luminescent optical memory material and method of forming this material, including the encoding of information by a photographic process. The method involves the use of silver halide crystals of a defined size range, with the optional use of sensitizers, emulsion stabilizers, and other agents followed by the absorption of luminescent dyes on the developed silver particle to form a luminescent optical memory system. The method involves synthesis of a photographic emulsion with silver halide crystals of a defined size range, applying photographic emulsion to a substrate, exposing to light photochemical treatment and a process of transformation of the silver particles formed in the places exposed by light into luminescent particles. The method involves obtaining a multi-layer luminescent material for a three-dimensional optical memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: D Data Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene B. Levich, Jacob N. Malkin, Mark A. Alperovich, Boris M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6887641
    Abstract: A method of mammography imaging includes exposing a patient to a peak voltage greater than 29 kVp using X-radiation generating equipment comprising rhodium or tungsten anodes. The film used in this method comprises a cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer on one side of the support and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the other side. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer comprises a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption on the cubic silver halide grains of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine, the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer also includes a mixture of gelatin or a gelatin derivative and a second hydrophilic binder other than gelatin or a gelatin derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6864045
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film comprises a cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer on one side of the support and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the other side. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer comprises a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption on the cubic silver halide grains of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine, the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer also includes a mixture of gelatin or a gelatin derivative and a second hydrophilic binder other than gelatin or a gelatin derivative at a weight ratio of first to second hydrophilic binder of from about 2:1 to about 5:1. The cubic silver halide grains comprise from about 1 to about 20 mol % chloride and from about 0.25 to about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6846606
    Abstract: A phosphor screen comprises an inorganic phosphor capable of absorbing X-rays and emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 300 nm. The phosphor is disposed on a support that has a reflective substrate comprising a continuous poly(lactic acid) first phase and a second phase dispersed within the continuous poly(lactic acid) first phase. The second phase contains microvoids that in turn contain barium sulfate particles. This support provides improved reflectivity particularly at shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Laney, Peter T. Aylward, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6844145
    Abstract: High-speed black-and-white photothermographic materials can be imaged in any suitable fashion using ultraviolet, visible, infrared, or X-radiation. They can have one or more thermally developable imaging layers on either or both sides of the support and can be imaged with or without a phosphor intensifying screen in an imaging assembly. The photothermographic emulsions and materials have a net Dmin less than 0.25, and require less than 1 erg/cm2 to achieve a density of 1.00 above net Dmin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chaofeng Zou, Doreen C. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6828077
    Abstract: A method of mammography imaging includes exposing a patient to a peak voltage greater than 29 kVp. The film used in this method comprises a cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer on one side of the support and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the other side. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer comprises a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption on the cubic silver halide grains of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine, the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer also includes a mixture of gelatin or a gelatin derivative and a second hydrophilic binder other than gelatin or a gelatin derivative. The cubic silver halide grains comprise from about 1 to about 20 mol % chloride and from about 0.25 to about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore, David J. Steklenski
  • Publication number: 20040229154
    Abstract: A preparation process of a stimulable phosphor which exhibits no deterioration in radiographic performance due to moisture absorption and are usable in a viable state over a long period of time is disclosed, wherein after subjected to calcination, phosphor particles are coated with a fluorine-containing compound and a silane coupling agent. A radiation image conversion panel containing the stimulable phosphor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Natsuki Kasai
  • Patent number: 6815155
    Abstract: An radiographic imaging system for making a radiograph by a radiography apparatus using a photographic combination of a silver halide photographic light sensitive material in combination with intensifying screens, the photographic material comprising a support having a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on each both sides of the support, wherein the radiography apparatus conducts making a radiograph under the condition that a distance between a focal point of an X-ray tube and the photographic material is 0.9 to 3.0 m, a distance between the focal point of the X-ray tube and an object is 0.5 to 2.7 m and a distance between the object and the photographic combination is 0.3 to 1.5 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6794106
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly comprises a radiographic silver halide film having a film speed of at least 100 and a single fluorescent intensifying screen that has a screen speed of at least 200. This imaging assembly is particularly useful for mammography or imaging or other soft tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6794105
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film useful for mammography comprises a support having a cubic grain silver halide emulsion on one side. The cubic grains are spectrally sensitized with a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine and the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The first and second spectral sensitizing dyes are present in a molar ratio of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Stephen A. Hershey, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20040131983
    Abstract: The invention provides a photothermographic material including: a support and an image-forming layer including a non-photosenisitive silver salt, a photosensitive silver halide, a binder, and a reduction agent disposed on the support, wherein a silver iodide content in the photosensitive silver halide is in a range from 40 mol % to 100 mol %; and an average sphere-equivalent diameter of the photosensitive silver halide is in a range from 0.3 &mgr;m to 5.0 &mgr;m. The photothermographic material may further include a silver iodide complex forming agent as a compound which substantially reduces visible light absorption caused by the photosenisitive silver halide after thermal development. At least 50%, in terms of a projected area, of the photosensitive silver halide may be occupied by tabular silver halide grains having an aspect ratio of from 2 to 50 and being deposited with a silver salt in an epitaxial growth manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ohzeki, Eiichi Okutsu
  • Patent number: 6740458
    Abstract: A printmaking process that utilizes phosphorescent transfer plates as the method for producing prints is disclosed. Specifically, this invention uses an engraved plate, which is coated with viscous phosphorescent paint. Once the paint on the plate is dry, the plate is exposed to light, causing the paint to become light-emitting. The plate is then placed in contact with photo-sensitive emulsion. After the proper exposure time, the photo-sensitive emulsion is developed, thereby producing a print. This invention can generate a wide array of prints. For example, black and white prints can be created under this invention. Further, prints containing a variation of tones between black and white and/or prints containing texture can be manufactured under this invention. Finally, color prints can be produced under this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Caroline D'Offay
  • Publication number: 20040096769
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film is designed for improved imaging of dense soft tissue as in mammography. The film includes a silver halide emulsion on each side of the support and at least one silver halide emulsion contains cubic silver halide grains that are doped with a metal hexacoordination complex compound such as a ruthenium hexacoordination complex compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Richard E. Beal, Robert E. Dickerson, Anthony D. Gingello
  • Publication number: 20040096768
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film useful for mammography comprises a support having a cubic grain silver halide emulsion on one side. The cubic grains are spectrally sensitized with a combination of first and second spectral sensitizing dyes that provides a combined maximum J-aggregate absorption of from about 540 to about 560 nm. The first spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanine and the second spectral sensitizing dye is an anionic oxycarbocyanine. The first and second spectral sensitizing dyes are present in a molar ratio of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Adin, Stephen A. Hershey, Robert E. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20040096770
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly comprises a radiographic silver halide film having a film speed of at least 100 and a single fluorescent intensifying screen that has a screen speed of at least 200. This imaging assembly is particularly useful for mammography or imaging or other soft tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6737227
    Abstract: Thermally developable compositions such thermographic and photothermographic emulsions include certain heterocyclic disulfide compounds and ascorbic acid or reductone reducing agents. These compositions can be used in thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials to provide increased image density and shortened development time, and to allow development at lower temperatures. Such materials can have imaging layers on one or both sides of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Doreen C. Lynch, Stacy M. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6737228
    Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic film material has been provided, wherein said material has first and second major surfaces, at least one of which is coated with at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, overcoated with a protective antistress layer, wherein said emulsion layer(s) have chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal emulsion grains or crystals rich in silver bromide in an amount covering at least 50% of the total projective grain surface of all grains, wherein said grains further have an average equivalent volume diameter in the range from 0.3 &mgr;m up to 1.5 &mgr;m and an average grain thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, and an average amount of iodide from 0.05 mole % up to 0.5 mole % based on silver over the whole grain volume, characterized in that said material comprises, in an amount of at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Johan Loccufier
  • Patent number: 6733947
    Abstract: A single-side coated silver halide photographic film material has been disclosed, said film material comprising a support, at least one light-sensitive emulsion layer and a substantially light-insensitive protective hydrophilic colloid layer farther away from said support than said emulsion layer, wherein said emulsion layer contains a silver halide emulsion rich in silver bromide with cubic crystals having an average numerical diameter in the range from 0.4 up to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Leo De Bie, Johan Loccufier, Ludo Joly, Marc Van den Zegel, Paul Callant
  • Publication number: 20040067451
    Abstract: A process for fabricating of an article by exposing a photoreactive composition to light under multiphoton absorption conditions. The light passes through an optical system having a final optical element having a numeric aperture in a range of from 0.65 to 1.25, inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. DeVoe, Harvey W. Kalweit, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6703191
    Abstract: Thermally developable compositions such thermographic and photothermographic emulsions include certain triazine-thione compounds. These emulsions can be used in thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials to provide increased image density and shortened development time, and to allow development at lower temperatures. Such materials can have imaging layers on one or both sides of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Doreen C. Lynch, Stacy M. Ulrich, Paul G. Skoug
  • Publication number: 20040033447
    Abstract: Aqueous-based photothermographic materials comprise a hydrophilic binder, preformed silver halides, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent composition, and one or more benzothiazolium, benzoselenazolium, or benzotellurazolium salts as antifoggants. These photothermographic materials can be used in combination with phosphor intensifying screens for radiographic imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chaofeng Zou, Roger L. Klaus
  • Patent number: 6689529
    Abstract: A method of imaging acid in a chemically amplified photoresist comprising the steps of: (a) exposing the chemically amplified photoresist to radiation thereby generating an acid, the chemically amplified photoresist comprising at least one species of pH-dependent fluorophore that fluoresces in the presence of the acid, the pH-dependent fluorophore being present at a concentration that enables the fluorescence from individual molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore to be individually resolved; and (b) generating an image of the acid in the photoresist, the image comprising at least one or a plurality of discrete points corresponding to the fluorescent emission from an individual molecule or molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Gilbert D. Feke, Robert D. Grober
  • Patent number: 6686118
    Abstract: A blue-sensitive, radiographic silver halide film comprises a silver halide emulsion layer comprising predominantly tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 15, a grain thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and up to 4 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. Substantially all of the iodide is present in an internal localized portion of the tabular silver halide grains that excludes the surface of the grains. The tabular silver halide grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.5% of oxidized gelatin, based on the total dry weight of the polymeric vehicle mixture in the emulsion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Davis, Robert E. Dickerson, Susan K. Mroczek
  • Patent number: 6686115
    Abstract: A blue-sensitive, radiographic silver halide film comprises a silver halide emulsion layer comprising predominantly tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 15, a grain thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;M, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and from about 0.5 to about 2.75 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. Substantially all of the iodide is present in an internal localized portion of the tabular silver halide grains that excludes the surface of the grains. The tabular silver halide grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.5% of oxidized gelatin, based on the total dry weight of the polymeric vehicle mixture in the emulsion layer. In addition, the tabular grain emulsion includes a mercapto-substituted benzothiazole, benzoxazole, or benzimidazole to provide desired image tone and processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Richard F. Davis, Susan K. Mroczek
  • Patent number: 6686117
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film has reduced yellow dye stain by including a blend of tabular silver halide grains in the emulsion layers. The blend of grains includes blue-sensitive tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 15, a grain thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and up to 4 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. Substantially all of the iodide is present in an internal localized portion of the tabular silver halide grains that excludes the surface of the grains. The blend also includes green-sensitive tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 20, a grain thickness of at least 0.07 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide, up to 1.5 mol % chloride, and up to 1.5 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. The molar ratio of silver in the blue-sensitive silver halide grains to the silver in the green-sensitive silver halide grains is from about 2:1 to about 6:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Richard F. Davis
  • Patent number: 6686116
    Abstract: A blue-sensitive radiographic silver halide film comprises a silver halide emulsion layer comprising predominantly tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 15, a grain thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and up to 4 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. Substantially all of the iodide is present in an internal localized portion of the tabular silver halide grains that excludes the surface of the grains. The tabular silver halide grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.5% of oxidized gelatin, based on the total dry weight of the polymeric vehicle mixture in the emulsion layer. The tabular silver halide grains are spectrally sensitized using a combination of spectral sensitizing dyes to provide increased speed and reduced dye stain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Anthony Adin, Stephen A. Hershey, Richard F. Davis
  • Patent number: 6686119
    Abstract: A blue-sensitive, radiographic silver halide film comprises a silver halide emulsion layer comprising predominantly tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of from 8 to 14.5, a grain thickness of from about 0.15 to about 0.3 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and up to 6 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. The tabular silver halide grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.5% of oxidized gelatin, based on the total dry weight of the polymeric vehicle mixture in the emulsion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark P. Pavlik, Joseph P. Pepe, Susan K. Mroczek
  • Patent number: 6682868
    Abstract: An imaging assembly includes a blue-sensitive, radiographic silver halide film comprises a silver halide emulsion layer comprising predominantly tabular silver halide grains that have an aspect ratio of at least 15, a grain thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and comprise at least 90 mol % bromide and up to 4 mol % iodide, based on total silver halide. The tabular silver halide grains are dispersed in a hydrophilic polymeric vehicle mixture comprising at least 0.5% of oxidized gelatin. The film is used in combination with one or more intensifying screens that absorb X-radiation and emit radiation having a wavelength of from about 300 to about 500 nm. In many embodiments, the intensifying screens include a “blue-light” emitting alkaline earth fluorohalide phosphor dispersed in a binder on a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Richard F. Davis, David J. Steklenski
  • Patent number: 6680154
    Abstract: An asymmetric radiographic silver halide film has two cubic grain silver halide emulsion layers on the frontside and a tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer on the backside. The cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer closer to the support also includes a crossover control agent to reduce crossover to the backside to less than 10% and is thinner than the outermost cubic grain silver halide emulsion layer. The backside of the support also includes an antihalation layer. These films are useful for imaging soft tissue as in mammography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20040009423
    Abstract: A single-side coated silver halide photographic film material has been disclosed, said film material comprising a support, at least one light-sensitive emulsion layer and a substantially light-insensitive protective hydrophilic colloid layer farther away from said support than said emulsion layer, wherein said emulsion layer contains a silver halide emulsion rich in silver bromide with cubic crystals having an average numerical diameter in the range from 0.4 up to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Leo De Bie, Johan Loccufier, Ludo Joly, Marc Van den Zegel, Paul Callant
  • Patent number: 6673507
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film has improved processability because it includes a silver halide emulsion composed of cubic grains having a critical molar ratio of chloride, iodide, and bromide. In particular, the cubic grains comprise from about 1 to about 20 mol % of chloride and from about 0.25 to about 1.5 mol % of iodide, with the remainder being bromide. The cubic grains also have an ECD of from about 0.65 to about 0.8 &mgr;m. This film is particularly useful in mammography for imaging dense soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Anthony Adin, Richard E. Beal, Anthony D. Gingello
  • Patent number: 6645706
    Abstract: Thermally developable materials include a reducing agent composition that can reduce silver ions and provide high contrast images. The reducing agent composition includes a) a hindered phenol reducing agent, an aromatic di- or tri-hydroxy compound, or mixtures thereof, and b) a thermally-releasable p-phenylenediamine co-developer that is represented by the following Structure I: R—NH-BLOCK  (I) wherein R—NH— is a p-phenylenediamine group and BLOCK is a blocking group that is cleaved upon exposure to at least 120° C. for at least 5 seconds and comprises one or more of the following thermally cleavable groups: —CONH—, —COO—, —CONHSO2—, —PO3—, —SO2—, —COCH2NHCO—, or —COS—, and BLOCK is directly linked to R—NH— through one of the thermally cleavable groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Takuzo Ishida
  • Patent number: 6638696
    Abstract: This invention provides a display element comprising a support, a phosphorescent material, and at least one layer containing a silver halide emulsion, wherein the phosphorescent material is not excited upon exposure of the silver halide emulsion. It further provides methods of exposing and processing such display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Kevin M. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6630278
    Abstract: A system has been disclosed for use in radiographic industrial non-destructive testing materials and personal monitoring, making use therefor, of tabular silver brom(oiod)ide emulsion grains having {111} major faces, an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.5 &mgr;m and an average thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, having been chemically sensitized by the steps of adding at least a gold salt in order to provide the surface of said tabular grains with at least 6000 atoms of gold per &mgr;m2 of its grain surface and per (0.1 &mgr;m of thickness)2; and at least a sulfite salt in such an amount that the ratio of the number of gold atoms per &mgr;m2 and (concentration of said sulfite salt, expressed in mmole per mole of silver)2 is at least 200000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van den Zegel, Marleen De Vester
  • Patent number: 6627299
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition and method for obtaining both light and dark laser marks of varying shades and intensities on a single plastic article by selectively controlling laser parameters. The invention further provides compositions and methods for obtaining pre-selected one-color and multi-colored designs on plastic articles, by selectively controlling material formulations and laser parameter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: PolyCne Corporation
    Inventors: Ke Feng, Alan R. Burgess, Ronald M. Harris
  • Patent number: 6607876
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film material and a radiographic screen/film combination has been disclosed, said material having in at least one light-sensitive layer thereof an emulsion comprising {111} tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, spectrally sensitive to irradiation in the wavelength range between 540 and 555 nm by the presence of a combination of at least one J-aggregating spectrally sensitizing cyanine dye according to the formula (I) and of at least one additional cyanine dye providing a shift of maximum absorption wavelength of said combination of less than 10 nm versus in the absence thereof, wherein said additional cyanine dye is at least one monomethine cyanine dye according to the formula (II), essentially having a solubilizing group or a latent solubilizing group, said dyes having been given in the description and in the claims of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Paul Callant, Ilse Mans
  • Patent number: 6605418
    Abstract: Thermally developable compositions such thermographic and photothermographic emulsions include certain quaternary phthalazine compounds. These emulsions can be used in thermally developable materials such as thermographic and photothermographic materials to provide improved sensitometric and post processing properties. Such materials can have imaging layers on one or both sides of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William D. Ramsden, Chaofeng Zou
  • Publication number: 20030138722
    Abstract: An radiographic imaging system for making a radiograph by a radiography apparatus using a photographic combination of a silver halide photographic light sensitive material in combination with intensifying screens, the photographic material comprising a support having a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on each both sides of the support, wherein the radiography apparatus conducts making a radiograph under the condition that a distance between a focal point of an X-ray tube and the photographic material is 0.9 to 3.0 m, a distance between the focal point of the X-ray tube and an object and the photographic combination is 0.3 to 1.5 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Masaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6582874
    Abstract: Radiographic films containing cubic grain, high silver chloride emulsions can be used in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens for therapy portal localization imaging. The average silver halide grain size is from about 0.1 to about 0.18 &mgr;m and the silver halide is free of silver halide dopant compounds. These films provide excellent contrast with improved exposure latitude (at least 4:1 when measured at a gamma value of 1.5) for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6576410
    Abstract: High-speed black-and-white photothermographic emulsions and materials comprise chemically sensitized photosensitive silver halide grains, at least 70% of the total photosensitive silver halide projected area being provided by tabular silver halide grains comprising at least 70 mole % bromide (based on total silver halide). The tabular grains have an average thickness of at least 0.02 &mgr;m and up to and including 0.10 &mgr;m, an equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.5 &mgr;m and up to and including 8 &mgr;m, and an aspect ratio of at least 5:1. These high-speed materials can be imaged in any suitable fashion using ultraviolet, visible, infrared, or X-radiation. In one embodiment, they have one or more thermally developable layers on both sides of the support and can be imaged using X-radiation with or without a phosphor intensifying screen in an imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chaofeng Zou, Robert D. Wilson, Richard L. Daubendiek, Timothy R. Gersey
  • Patent number: 6573019
    Abstract: A radiographic film material has been described for recording medical diagnostic images of soft tissue through exposure to light, emitted by a single intensifying screen, after having been subjecting to exposure with X-rays, emitted from an X-ray generating device with a tube voltage of 20 kV to 40 kV, and processing, including development, fixing and drying, within a time of 120 (and more preferably 90) seconds or less, wherein said film is comprised of a transparent film support, front and back major faces and an image-forming portion for providing, when imagewise exposed by light emitted by said intensifying screen and processed, an average contrast or gradient in the range from 3.0 up to 4.5, measured over a density above fog in the range of from 0.25 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van den Zegel, Francis Vanhoudt
  • Patent number: 6573033
    Abstract: Aqueous-based photothermographic materials that are sensitive to visible or X-radiation contain X-radiation sensitive phosphors in association with specific chemically sensitized tabular silver halide grains. The silver halide grains comprise at least 70 mol % bromide, based on total silver halide, have an average thickness of at least 0.02 &mgr;m and up to and including 0.10 &mgr;m, an equivalent circular diameter (ECD) of at least 0.5 &mgr;m and up to and including 8 &mgr;m, and an aspect ratio of at least 5:1. These materials can be imaged in any suitable fashion but preferably they have one or more photothermographic layers on both sides of the support and can be imaged using X-radiation with or without an associated phosphor intensifying screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6566030
    Abstract: A method of imaging acids in chemically amplified photoresists involves exposing to radiation a chemically amplified photoresist comprising a pH-dependent fluorophore. Upon exposure to radiation, such as deep-UV radiation, the chemically amplified photoresist produces an acid, which is then visualized by the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore. An image is generated from the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore, thus providing a map of the location of the acid in the photoresist. The images are able to be visualized prior to a post-exposure bake of the resist composition. Chemically amplified photoresists comprising pH-dependent fluorophores are useful in the practice of the present invention. The method finds particular use in examining the efficiency of photoacid generators in chemically amplified photoresists, in that it allows the practitioner the ability to directly determine the amount of acid generated within the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Yale University, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert David Grober, Scott Josef Bukofsky, Paul Michael Dentinger, James Welch Taylor