US4979201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhancement system for X-ray imaging
Assignee: INNOVATIVE IMAGING SCIENCES Inc A CORP OF UT
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Filing: 1989-05-10
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Granted: 1990-12-18
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Expires: 2009-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An X-ray imaging system for obtaining a photographic image of the X-ray transmissivity of a body is disclosed. A source of X-rays is directable at the body, and an X-ray imaging subsystem is provided for receiving a pattern of X-rays transmitted through the body, including, in combination: a first X-ray-sensitive screen for converting the pattern of X-rays to a first pattern of light; a light-sensitive film adjacent the first X-ray sensitive screen for receiving the first pattern of light; a second X-ray sensitive screen for also converting the pattern of X-rays to the first pattern of light; an array of light detecting devices positioned to receive the first pattern of light from the second X-ray sensitive screen; means for storing electronic representations of the outputs of the array of light detecting devices; and light generating means responsive to the stored electronic representations for generating a second pattern of light which is directed at and received by the light-sensitive film. An image is formed on the light-sensitive film as a result of being exposed to said first and second patterns of light. The disclosed invention permits use of a standard type of film cassette and provides improvement on the standard radiographic technique in the following ways: (1) The recorded film contrast in low X-ray exposure regions that ordinarily would have been recorded in under-exposed regions of a film's characteristic curve will be increased significantly. (2) The overall range of light transmission that must be viewed by the radiologist will be decreased without sacrificing diagnostic information.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Kruger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/021; G03B42/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An X-ray imaging system for obtaining a photographic image of the X-ray transmissivity of a body, comprising: a source of X-rays directable at the body; an X-ray imaging subsystem for receiving a pattern of X-rays transmitted through the body, including, in combination: a first X-ray-sensitive screen for converting the pattern of X-rays to a first pattern of light; a light-sensitive film adjacent said first X-ray sensitive screen for receiving said first pattern of light; a second X-ray sensitive screen for also converting the pattern of X-rays to said first pattern of light; an array of light detecting devices positioned to receive the first pattern of light from said second X-ray sensitive screen; means for storing electronic representations of the outputs of said array of light detecting devices; light generating means responsive to said stored electronic representations for generating a second pattern of light which is directed at and received by said light-sensitive film; whereby an image is formed on said light-sensitive film as a result of being exposed to said first and second patterns of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An X-ray imaging system for obtaining a photographic image of the X-ray transmissivity of a body, comprising: a source of X-rays directable at the body; an X-ray imaging subsystem for receiving a pattern of X-rays transmitted through the body, including, in combination: a first X-ray-sensitive screen for converting the pattern of X-rays to a first pattern of light; a light-sensitive film adjacent said first X-ray sensitive screen for receiving said first pattern of light; a second X-ray sensitive screen for also converting the pattern of X-rays to said first pattern of light; an array of light detecting devices positioned to receive the first pattern of light from said second X-ray sensitive screen; means for storing electronic representations of the outputs of said array of light detecting devices; light generating means responsive to said stored electronic representations for generating a second pattern of light which is directed at and received by said light-sensitive film; whereby an image is formed on said light-sensitive film as a result of being exposed to said first and second patterns of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as defined by claim 1, further comprising a first substantially light tight container which contains said first X-ray sensitive screen and said light sensitive film, and a second substantially light-tight container, adjacent said first container, which contains said second X-ray sensitive screen and said array of light detecting devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as defined by claim 2, wherein said light generating means includes an array of light emitting devices, and further comprising a third substantially light-tight container which contains said light emitting devices and is adapted to receive said light-sensitive film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined by claim 1, wherein said array of light emitting devices comprises a one-dimensional array of light-emitting devices that is moveable with respect to said light-sensitive film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined by claim 3, wherein said array of light emitting devices comprises a one-dimensional array of light-emitting devices that is moveable with respect to said light-sensitive film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
The system as defined by claim 1, wherein said array of light detecting devices is operative to detect light intensity at elemental regions of said first pattern of light, and wherein said light generating means includes means for generating a second pattern of light having the following characteristics: (i) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity above a predetermined threshold, the light intensity of the respective elemental regions of the second pattern being substantially zero; and (ii) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity below the predetermined threshold, the respective elemental regions of the second pattern having intensities inversely related to the intensities of the corresponding elemental regions of the first pattern of light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
The system as defined by claim 3, wherein said array of light detecting devices is operative to detect light intensity at elemental regions of said first pattern of light, and wherein said light generating means includes means for generating a second pattern of light having the following characteristics: (i) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity above a predetermined threshold, the light intensity of the respective elemental regions of the second pattern being substantially zero; and (ii) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity below the predetermined threshold, the respective elemental regions of the second pattern having intensities inversely related to the intensities of the corresponding elemental regions of the first pattern of light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
The system as defined by claim 1, wherein said light detecting means includes an array of light detecting devices having the following characteristics: (i) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity above a predetermined threshold, the light of respective elemental regions of the second pattern being present for substantially zero time; and (ii) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity below the predetermined threshold, the respective elemental regions of the second pattern having light which is present for times which are inversely related to the intensities of the corresponding elemental regions of the first pattern of light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
The system as defined by claim 3, wherein said light detecting means includes an array of light detecting devices having the following characteristics: (i) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity above a predetermined threshold, the light of respective elemental regions of the second pattern being present for substantially zero time; and (ii) for elemental regions corresponding to elemental regions of the first pattern of light having a light intensity below the predetermined threshold, the respective elemental regions of the second pattern having light which is present for times which are inversely related to the intensities of the corresponding elemental regions of the first pattern of light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for developing said light-sensitive film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as defined by claim 3, further comprising means for developing said light-sensitive film.
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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) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |