Patent US4896344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4896344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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X-ray video system
Assignee: Hologic Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-15
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Granted: 1990-01-23
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Expires: 2004-10-15
Abstract
Abstract In an X-ray system in which a source directs X-radiation through a subject to a receptor which produces a secondary planar light image, the light image is projected on the planar input face of a light intensifier after passing through the scanning aperture of a moving mask substantially at the plane of the projected light image. Preferably the system includes a moving X-ray mask with a scanning aperture between the source and receptor and means driving the X-ray and light masks in synchronism with their apertures optically superimposed.
Inventors
- 👤 John K. Grady
- 👤 Richard E. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/42; A61B6/4208; A61B6/4225; A61B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An X-ray system for radiological examination of a subject comprising: an X-ray source directing radiation on a path through a subject position; an X-ray scintillation screen on the path beyond the subject position responsive to X-radiation to produce a secondary, planar light image; optical means projecting the secondary image from the scintillation screen on a light path; and a light image intensifier tube beyond the optical means for amplifying the intensity of the light image; wherein the intensifier tube has a planar input face receiving a planar projected light image, and the system includes a movable light mask between the scintillation screen and intensifier tube with an image scanning aperture substantially at the plane of the projected light image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An X-ray system for radiological examination of a subject comprising: an X-ray source directing radiation on a path through a subject position; an X-ray scintillation screen on the path beyond the subject position responsive to X-radiation to produce a secondary, planar light image; optical means projecting the secondary image from the scintillation screen on a light path; and a light image intensifier tube beyond the optical means for amplifying the intensity of the light image; wherein the intensifier tube has a planar input face receiving a planar projected light image, and the system includes a movable light mask between the scintillation screen and intensifier tube with an image scanning aperture substantially at the plane of the projected light image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 wherein the X-ray scintillation screen is external of and spaced from the intensifier tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 wherein the optical means reduces the area of the projected image with respect to the secondary image area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 including a movable X-ray mask between the source and scintillation screen with at least one scanning aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An X-ray system according to claim 4 including means driving the X-ray and light masks in synchronism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An X-ray system according to claim 4 wherein the X-ray and light masks have a plurality of optically superimposed apertures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 wherein the light intensifier tube includes a video camera tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 wherein the light intensifier tube includes a light intensifier tube optically coupled to a video camera tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An X-ray system according to claim 8 wherein the tubes are coupled by a coherent fibre optic interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An X-ray system according to claim 9 wherein the light intensifier tube has a zoom control.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An X-ray system according to claim 10 including an X-ray collimator between the source and scintillation screen for varying the receptor area exposed to X-rays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An X-ray system according to claim 8 wherein the light intensifier tube has a gain control.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 including a video camera tube optically coupled to the light intensifier tube for converting the light energy into video signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 wherein the X-ray scintillation screen is external of the light image intensifier tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 wherein the light image intensifier tube has a light output area substantially matching the light input area of the camera tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 wherein the light image intensifier tube includes a light input area and a light output area coupled to the camera tube, and a zoom control adjustable to vary the magnification of the image at the input area so as substantially to fill the output area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An X-ray system according to claim 16 including an X-ray collimator between the source and subject position with an adjustable aperture for varying the area of the subject position exposed to X-rays.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 including an X-ray collimator between the source and subject position with an adjustable aperture for varying the area of the subject position exposed to X-rays.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 including a movable radio-opaque mask between the X-ray source and X-ray scintillation screen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 including a coherent fibre optic coupling between the light image intensifier tube and camera tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
An X-ray system according to claim 13 wherein the light intensifier tube has a gain control varying the light input to the video camera tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An X-ray system according to claim 1 wherein the scintillation screen has an X-ray responsive light imaging area as large as the area of a human patient exposed to radiation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |