US3965352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray system with electrophoretic imaging
Assignee: ELSCINT IMAGING Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-24
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1995-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An electronradiography imaging chamber providing a real time visual image. An electronradiography imaging chamber with electrophoretic particles in the electrode gap, with the particles being selectively moved to a transparent electrode as a result of the electrostatic charge image formed by absorbtion of incoming X-ray radiation in the gap. A dark field illumination viewing configuration with the deposited particles providing light scattering giving a visual image with low radiation dosage. An imaging chamber which can be cyclically operated at a relatively high repetition rate, typically 10 to 20 images per second, thereby providing real time viewing of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank V. Allan
- 👤 John B. Fenn, Jr.
- 👤 John H. Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/054; G03G15/0545; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/165; G02F1/166; G02F1/167; G03G17/00; G03G17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In an electronradiography imaging chamber for providing a visual image, the combination of: first and second electrodes; means for supporting said electrodes in spaced relation with a gap there between, with said first electrode being relatively transparent optically and having a dielectric layer at the surface thereof facing said second electrode; an X-ray absorber and electron and positive ion emitter in said gap, with X-ray radiation entering said gap being absorbed and providing electrons and positive ions in said gap; a plurality of electrophoretic particles in said gap; and means for connecting an electric power source across said electrodes for attracting electrons toward one electrode and positive ions toward the other depending upon the plurality of the power source and forming an electrostatic charge image, with said particles being selectively deposited at said dielectric layer as a function of said electrostatic charge image forming a visual image viewable through said first electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electronradiography imaging chamber for providing a visual image, the combination of: first and second electrodes; means for supporting said electrodes in spaced relation with a gap there between, with said first electrode being relatively transparent optically and having a dielectric layer at the surface thereof facing said second electrode; an X-ray absorber and electron and positive ion emitter in said gap, with X-ray radiation entering said gap being absorbed and providing electrons and positive ions in said gap; a plurality of electrophoretic particles in said gap; and means for connecting an electric power source across said electrodes for attracting electrons toward one electrode and positive ions toward the other depending upon the plurality of the power source and forming an electrostatic charge image, with said particles being selectively deposited at said dielectric layer as a function of said electrostatic charge image forming a visual image viewable through said first electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said second electrode is relatively transparent optically, and including means for directing light through said electrodes with the deposited particles blocking light transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 including means for directing light onto said first electrode with the deposited particles reflecting light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said first electrode includes a support plate with an electrically conducting layer thereon, and including first means for directing light into said plate from an edge with the deposited particles scattering light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 4 with said light directed into said plate at an angle to produce substantially total reflection of the light internally of the plate except for that scattered by the deposited particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 5 including: second means for directing light onto said first electrode with the deposited particles reflecting light; and means for selectively energizing said first and second light directing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles are positively charged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles are negatively charged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles are electrically neutral.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles have a bulk of a magnitude greater than that of said electrons and positive ions so that said electrons and positive ions move across said gap at a faster rate than said electrophoretic particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles have a charge condition such that one of said electrons and positive ions attach to particles to change the charge of the particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles are suspended in a liquid dispersant comprising said absorber and emitter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrophoretic particles are suspended in a liquid dispersant with said particles comprising said absorber and emitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 wherein said absorber and emitter is a liquid and said electrophoretic particles are suspended therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 including an anisotropic plate between said first and second electrodes dividing said gap into first and second gap portions, with said first gap portion between said anisotropic plate and said first electrode and with said separate second gap portion between said anisotropic plate and said second electrode, and with said electrophoretic particles suspended in a liquid in said first gap portion and with said absorber and emitter in said second gap portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 15 wherein said absorber and emitter is a gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 15 wherein said absorber and emitter is a liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 15 wherein said anisotropic plate comprises a plurality of electrical conducting pins spaced from each other in an electrical insulating support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 18 wherein said pins are shorter than said insulating support is thick providing cavities at the pin ends adjacent said first electrode with said cavities forming the major portion of said first gap portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 1 including control means for cyclically actuating said imaging chamber to provide real time visual imaging and including means for energizing an X-ray source for a short portion of each cycle and simultaneously energizing an electric power source for attracting electrons and positive ions, and energizing a light source for viewing the deposited particles for a subsequent portion of the cycle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 20 wherein said control means includes means for connecting a relatively high voltage supply to said electrodes while the X-ray source is energized and then connecting a relatively low voltage supply to said electrodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 21 wherein said control means includes means for connecting a voltage supply of reverse polarity prior to energizing the X-ray source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
An imaging chamber as defined in claim 20 wherein said control means includes means for connecting a voltage supply of reverse polarity prior to energizing the X-ray source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3873833A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |