Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A system for evaluating the performance of a radiographic imaging film processor, said system comprising: a cassette: a radiographic imaging film of a first emulsion disposed within said cassette, said film comprising a first exposable area for imaging a structure of interest using x-rays and a second exposable area for imaging a first calibrated graded density pattern impressed by light, said second area being shielded from the effects of x-rays during imaging of the structure of interest and a first plurality of symbols, located adjacent said first calibrated graded density pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of said density positions; and a control film of a second emulsion, wherein said first and second emulsions are identical, said control film having a light induced second calibrated control density pattern and a second plurality of symbols, located adjacent said second calibrated graded density pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of said density positions, wherein said control film and said imaging film are developed in the same film processor, wherein the performance of the film processor which develops the radiographic image on the film is measured by comparing said first and second calibrated graded density patterns.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A system for evaluating the performance of a radiographic imaging film processor, said system comprising: a cassette: a radiographic imaging film of a first emulsion disposed within said cassette, said film comprising a first exposable area for imaging a structure of interest using x-rays and a second exposable area for imaging a first calibrated graded density pattern impressed by light, said second area being shielded from the effects of x-rays during imaging of the structure of interest and a first plurality of symbols, located adjacent said first calibrated graded density pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of said density positions; and a control film of a second emulsion, wherein said first and second emulsions are identical, said control film having a light induced second calibrated control density pattern and a second plurality of symbols, located adjacent said second calibrated graded density pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of said density positions, wherein said control film and said imaging film are developed in the same film processor, wherein the performance of the film processor which develops the radiographic image on the film is measured by comparing said first and second calibrated graded density patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the graded density pattern is created from modulated light of known spectral characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the graded density pattern is impressed on the second exposable area of the film after exposure of the emulsion to x-rays to impress the image of the object of interest on the first exposable area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the graded density pattern is impressed on the second exposable area of the film before exposure of the emulsion to x-rays to impress the image of the object of interest on the first exposable area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the control density pattern is photographically imaged on a control film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system recited in claim 5 wherein the control density pattern is precalibrated in terms of a plurality of parameters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 6 wherein the plurality of parameters is determined by densitometric analysis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the imaging film further comprises a first identifying means for identifying film type and wherein the control film further comprises second identifying means for identifying film type wherein it can be determined that the film and the control film are of a same type.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said cassette comprises: a housing, having a front tube side and a back side, said housing being adapted to contain said imaging film, said imaging film being a single emulsion film, and a single intensifying screen, said screen facing and pressed against said emulsion surface of said film, for irradiating the exposable area of the emulsion with fluorescent energy induced by x-ray energy, thereby impressing an image of the structure of interest on the first exposable area; first means for blocking x-ray energy from reaching said second exposable area of the film, and second means for maintaining the film in contact with said intensifying screen when said cassette is closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein said cassette contains first means for blocking x-ray energy from reaching said second area of the film wherein said first means for blocking x-ray energy, blocks x-ray energy from reaching a portion of one edge of said intensifying screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein said intensifying screen and said film are rectangularly shaped and wherein said second area of the film is located along a long edge of said film, said edge being furthest from the structure of interest.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein said intensifying screen is substantially co-extensive with said film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein the area of said intensifying screen is smaller that said film so as to prevent production of fluorescent radiation that could reach said second area of the film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein the intensifying screen is adapted with an opaque strip located along a long edge of said screen to block fluorescent energy, induced by x-ray energy, from reaching said second area of the film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein the intensifying screen is adapted to allow the calibrated graded density pattern to be impressed by light on the second area of the film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said cassette containing said imaging film is shielded from x-rays along one edge during exposure of the object of interest to x-rays, said shielding being external to the cassette, said shielding being co-extensive with said second area of emulsion for imaging said calibrated graded density pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said second area of said film further comprises an area for impressing identifying information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said control film further comprises an area for impressing identifying information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a platform for holding said cassette, said platform comprising shielding for shielding said second area from the effects of x-rays during imaging of the structure of interest.