Intensifier radiographic imaging system

Claim 2

An intensified radiographic imaging system comprising: an image intensifier tube including an input screen assembly disposed to receive a radiational image of an external object and having means for emitting a corresponding electron image, an output screen disposed to receive the electron image and having means for producing a corresponding visible light image, and an output faceplate transparent to visible light and disposed adjacent the output screen; imaging recording means mounted externally of the tube and adjacent the output faceplate for permitting direct viewing and immediate sequential image recording of the output screen; and means for focussing the entire electron image onto a portion of the output screen to produce a visible light image suitable for direct viewing through the output faceplate and alternatively electronically enhancing resolution and enlarging the output visible image for recording purposes.

Claim 3

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for electronically enhancing resolution, and enlarging of the output visible image includes focussing the entire electron image onto a relatively larger portion of the output screen.

Claim 4

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the image recording means includes a photographic film having an effective area of predetermined size.

Claim 5

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the larger portion of the output screen is proportionate in size to the effective area of the photographic film.

Claim 6

An intensified radiographic imaging system comprising: an image intensifier tube including an input screen assembly disposed to receive a radiational image of an external object and having means for emitting a corresponding electron image, an output screen disposed to receive the electron image and having means for producing a corresponding visible light image, and an output faceplate transparent to visible light and disposed adjacent the output screen; image recording media disposed externally of the tube and adjacent the output faceplate; support means for positioning the image recording media with respect to the output faceplate in a manner permitting direct viewing of the output screen during selected intervals, and immediate image recording during alternate sequential intervals; and focussing means for directing the entire electron image onto a portion of the output screen to produce a visible light image suitable for direct viewing through the output faceplate during the selected intervals and alternatively onto a relatively larger portion of the output screen during the sequential intervals.

Claim 7

An intensified radiographic imaging system comprising: an image intensifier tube including an input screen assembly disposed to receive a radiational image of an external object and having means for emitting a corresponding electron image, an output screen disposed to receive the electron image and having means for producing a corresponding visible light image, and an output faceplate transparent to visible light and disposed adjacent the output screen; image recording media disposed externally of the tube and adjacent the output faceplate; support means for positioning the image recording media with respect to the output faceplate in a manner permitting direct viewing of the output screen during selected intervals, and immediate image recording during alternate sequential intervals; and focussing means for directing the entire electron image onto a portion of the output screen to produce a visible light image suitable for direct viewing through the output faceplate during the selected intervals and alternatively onto a relatively larger portion of the output screen during the sequential intervals.

Claim 8

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the image recording media comprises a photographic film having an effective area.

Claim 9

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the positioning means includes means for aligning the film with the output faceplate and means for maximizing the light intensity reaching the film during the selected intervals.

Claim 10

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for maximizing light intensity includes pressure means for urging said effective area of the film against the exterior surface of the output faceplate.

Claim 11

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the size of said effective area of the film is at least substantially equal to said larger portion of the output screen.

Claim 12

An intensified radiographic imaging system comprising: an image intensifier tube including an input screen assembly disposed to receive a radiational image of an external object and having means for emitting a corresponding electron image, an output screen disposed in axial spaced relationship with the input screen assembly and having means for converting the electron image into a visible light image, and an output faceplate transparent to visible light and disposed adjacent the output screen; a photographic film disposed externally of the tube and adjacent the output faceplate in a manner permitting direct viewing of the output screen during selected intervals; movable film support means for immediately aligning a portion of the photographic film with the output faceplate in a manner permitting image recording during alternate sequential intervals and pressing said portion of the film against the exterior surface of the output faceplate; and focussing means for directing the entire electron image onto a portion of the output screen to produce a visual image viewable directly through the output faceplate during the selected intervals and alternatively onto a relatively larger portion of the output screen during the alternate sequential intervals.

Claim 13

An intensified radiographic imaging system comprising: an image intensifier tube including an input screen assembly disposed to receive a radiational image of an external object and having means for emitting a corresponding electron image, an output screen disposed in axial spaced relationship with the input screen assembly and having means for converting the electron image into a visible light image, and an output faceplate transparent to visible light and disposed adjacent the output screen; a photographic film disposed externally of the tube and adjacent the output faceplate in a manner permitting direct viewing of the output screen during selected intervals; movable film support means for immediately aligning a portion of the photographic film with the output faceplate in a manner permitting image recording during alternate sequential intervals and pressing said portion of the film against the exterior surface of the output faceplate; and focussing means for directing the entire electron image onto a portion of the output screen to produce a visual image viewable directly through the output faceplate during the selected intervals and alternatively onto a relatively larger portion of the output screen during the alternate sequential intervals.

Claim 14

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said larger portion of the output screen is substantially equal in size to said pressed portion of the film.

Claim 15

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the focussing means includes a coaxially aligned series of electrodes disposed in axial spaced relationship between the input screen assembly and the output screen.

Claim 16

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the output screen is supported on the inner surface of the output faceplate.

Claim 17

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the electron image converting means includes a layer of fluorescent material disposed on the inner surface of the output faceplate.

Claim 18

An intensified radiographic imaging system as set forth in claim 14 wherein The output faceplate is a fiber optic element.