US5034607A — Reproduction of X-ray images with photostimulable…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image comprising the steps of: (1) causing a photostimulable phosphor in a binder layer to absorb image-wise or pattern-wise modulated X-rays, (2) photostimulating said phosphor with stimulating electromagnetic radiation selected from visible light and infrared light to release from the phosphor in accordance with the absorbed X-rays electromagnetic radiation different in wavelength characteristic from the radiation used in the photo-stimulation, and (3) detecting said light emitted by photostimulation, wherein said phoshor is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate-germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na+, K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image comprising the steps of: (1) causing a photostimulable phosphor in a binder layer to absorb image-wise or pattern-wise modulated X-rays, (2) photostimulating said phosphor with stimulating electromagnetic radiation selected from visible light and infrared light to release from the phosphor in accordance with the absorbed X-rays electromagnetic radiation different in wavelength characteristic from the radiation used in the photo-stimulation, and (3) detecting said light emitted by photostimulation, wherein said phoshor is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate-germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na+, K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 104 words

A method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image according to claim 1, wherein said phoshor is a halogermanate or halo(silicate-germanate) containing as host metal(s) barium and/or strontium optionally in combination with a minor amount of calcium and/or magnesium; as halogen bromine and/or chlorine optionally in combination with iodine and/or fluorine, and as dopant Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, optionally in the presence of at least one co-dopant (D) being a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or being Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 125 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Ba.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium and magnesium, q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 125 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Sr.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium and magnesium, q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 131 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (I) to (IV): Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (I) Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (II) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (III) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (IV) wherein: X is bromine and/or chlorine, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, v+w being 1, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0 15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + , and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method according to claim 5, wherein v is between 0.4 and 0.9.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (V) to (VIII): Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(V) Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VI) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(VII) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VIII) wherein X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range from 0.0001 to 0.15, and v is in the range 0<v≦1, , v+w being 1.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein the photostimulating electromagnetic radiation originates from a laser.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method according to claim 8, wherein the laser is a He-Ne laser.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the light emitted by photo stimulation proceeds with a phototube providing electrical signals that are digitized and stored.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method according to claim 10, wherein said signals are displayed on a cathode-ray tube.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method according to claim 10, wherein the digitized signals are transformed into analog signals that are used to modulate a writing layer beam.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method according to claim 12, wherein the modulated laser beam is used to scan a photographic material.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 61 words

A photostimulable phosphor which is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate-germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 61 words

A photostimulable phosphor which is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate-germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 98 words

A photostimulable phosphor according to claim 14, wherein said phoshor is a halogermanate or halo(silicate-germanate) containing as host metal(s) barium and/or strontium optionally in combination with a minor amount of calcium and/or magnesium; as halogen bromine and/or chlorine optionally in combination with iodine and/or fluorine, and as dopant Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, optionally in the presence of at least one co-dopant (D) being a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or being Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 126 words

A photostimulable phosphor according to claim 15 wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Ba.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium and magnesium, q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 126 words

A photostimulable phosphor according to claim 15, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Sr.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium and magnesium, q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 130 words

A photostimulable phosphor according to claim 15, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (I) to (IV): Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (I) Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (II) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (III) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (IV) wherein: X is bromine and/or chlorine, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, v+w being 1, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015. D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

A phosphor according to claim 18, wherein v is between 0.4 and 0.9.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 68 words

A phosphor according to claim 15, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (V) to (VIII): Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(V) Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VI) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(VII) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VIII) wherein X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range from 0.0001 to 0.15, and v is in the range 0<v≦1, v+w being 1.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 72 words

A radiation image storage panel comprising in a binder layer a photostimulable phosphor which is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 72 words

A radiation image storage panel comprising in a binder layer a photostimulable phosphor which is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate germanate) doped with Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium, and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or with Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 100 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 21, wherein said phoshor is a halogermanate or halo(silicate-germanate) containing as host metal(s) barium and/or strontium optionally in combination with a minor amount of calcium and/or magnesium; as halogen bromine and/or chlorine optionally in combination with iodine and/or fluorine, and as dopant Eu 2+ and/or Ce 3+ and/or thallium optionally in the presence of at least one co-dopant (D) being a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ or being Na + , K + or Li + or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 128 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 22, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Ba.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium and magnesium. q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , p is in the range of 0 to 0.015 and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 129 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 22, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of the following empirical formula: Sr.sub.5-(n+p+q) Z.sub.q Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ wherein: Z is at least one co-host metal selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium and magnesium, q is in the range of 0 to 0.5, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, and v+w=1, X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0 015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 133 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 22, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (I) to (IV): Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (I) Ba.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (II) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (III) Sr.sub.5-(n+p) Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+, D.sub.p.sup.m+ (IV) wherein: X is bromine and/or chlorine, v is larger than zero and equals at most 1, v+w being 1, n is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.15, p is in the range of 0 to 0.015, D is at least one co-dopant selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + , and a rare earth metal ion other than Eu 2+ or Ce 3+ , and m is 1 or 3.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 25, wherein v is between 0.4 and 0.9.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 71 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 22, wherein said phosphor is within the scope of one of the following empirical formulae (V) to (VIII): Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(V) Ba.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VI) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Eu.sub.n.sup.2+(VII) Sr.sub.5-n (Ge.sub.v Si.sub.w)O.sub.4 X.sub.6 :Ce.sub.n.sup.3+(VIII) wherein X is bromine and/or chlorine, n is in the range from 0.0001 to 0.15, and v is in the range 0<v≦1, v+w being 1.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

A radiation image storage panel according to claim 21 wherein said binder layer is supported by a support sheet.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-07-22	1995-01-21	1995-07-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-07-22	1999-01-21	1999-07-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-07-22	2003-01-21	2003-07-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Reproduction of X-ray images with photostimulable phosphor

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