Back to results
US 5,309,496 AGranted
Filmless X-ray apparatus and method of using the same
OwnerRobin W. Winsorinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filmless X-ray apparatus and method of using the same include an X-ray source for directing X-rays through a subject such as an animal, human, or luggage in an airport security scanner into a fluorescent intensifying screen. An aluminum coated and lead back glass mirror reflect only the visible component of radiation passing through the fluorescent screen to one or more video cameras. Video signals from the video camera are directed to frame grabber circuitry operably associated with a computer provided with image enhancing and processing software.
Claims25
A filmless X-ray apparatus, comprising:
- an X-ray source disposed for directing X-rays through a subject;
- a fluorescent intensifying screen mounted at least partially in the path of the X-rays passing through the subject;
- a mirror disposed at an oblique angle behind said fluorescent intensifying screen;
- a video camera oriented at an oblique angle relative to said mirror so as to receive only a visible component of reflected radiation from said mirror;
- a frame grabber operably connected for receiving a video signal from said video camera;
- a computer operably associated with said frame grabbler for processing and enhancing an image received by said video camera;
- and
- a photocell disposed for receiving radiation visible spectrum from said fluorescent intensifying screen and operably associated for controlling capture of images from said video camera by said frame grabber.
5 more elements
A filmless X-ray apparatus, comprising:
- an X-ray source disposed for directing X-rays through a subject;
- a fluorescent intensifying screen mounted at least partially in the path of the X-rays passing through the subject;
- a mirror disposed at an oblique angle behind said fluorescent intensifying screen;
- a plurality of video cameras operably disposed for receiving only a visible component of radiation reflected from said mirror;
- a frame grabber operably connected for receiving a video signal from said video camera;
- and
- a computer operably associated with said frame grabber for processing and enhancing an image received by said video camera.
4 more elements
A filmless X-ray method, comprising the steps of:
- providing an X-ray source and directing X-rays from said source through a subject;
- providing a fluorescent intensifying screen mounted at least partially in the path of the X-rays passing through the subject to produce light radiation in the visible spectrum;
- providing a mirror disposed at an oblique angle behind said fluorescent intensifying screen and reflecting said light in the visible spectrum;
- providing a video camera oriented at an oblique angle relative to said mirror and receive said visible light component of reflected radiation from said mirror;
- providing a frame grabber and receiving and capturing with said frame grabber a video signal from said video camera;
- providing a computer operably associated with said frame grabber and processing and enhancing an image received by said video camera;
- and
- providing a photocell disposed for receiving radiation in the visible spectrum from said fluorescent intensifying screen and controlling capture of images from said video camera by said frame grabber dependent upon a signal transmitted from said photocell.
5 more elements
A filmless X-ray method, comprising the steps of:
- directing X-rays from an X-ray source through a subject;
- producing light in the visible spectrum proportional to the intensity of X-rays passing through the subject;
- reflecting said light in the visible spectrum at an oblique angle;
- reflecting said visible light component of reflected radiation with a digital receiving device;
- capturing a video signal from said digital receiving device;
- computer processing and enhancing an image represented by said captured video signal;
- and
- controlling capture of video signals from said digital receiving device dependent upon a first incidence of said light in the visible spectrum.
5 more elements
A filmless X-ray method, comprising the steps of:
- directing X-rays from an X-ray source through a subject;
- producing light in the visible spectrum proportional to the intensity of X-rays passing through the subject;
- reflecting said light in the visible spectrum at an oblique angle;
- substantially simultaneously receiving said visible light component of reflected radiation with a plurality of digital receiving devices and capturing a plurality of video signals from said plurality of digital receiving devices;
- and
- computer processing and enhancing an image represented by said captured video signal.
3 more elements
A filmless X-ray apparatus, comprising:
- means for providing a source of X-rays disposed for directing X-rays through a subject;
- means for producing light in the visible spectrum proportional to the intensity of X-rays passing through a subject and disposed at least partially in the path of the X-rays passing through the subject;
- means for reflecting light in the visible spectrum disposed for reflecting light produced by said means for producing light in the visible spectrum;
- means for producing a video signal representation of said produced light in the visible spectrum disposed for receiving light reflected by said means for reflecting light;
- means for capturing a video signal operably connected for receiving a video signal from said means for producing a video signal;
- processing means operably associated with said means for capturing a video signal for processing and enhancing an image received by said means for producing a video signal;
- and
- means for receiving radiation and operably associated for controlling capture of images from said means for producing a video signal by said means for capturing a video signal.
5 more elements
A filmless X-ray apparatus, comprising:
- means for providing a source of X-rays disposed for directing X-rays through a subject;
- means for producing light in the visible spectrum proportional to the intensity of X-rays passing through a subject and disposed at least partially in the path of the X-rays passing through the subject;
- means for reflecting light in the visible spectrum disposed for reflecting light produced by said means for producing light in the visible spectrum;
- a plurality of means each for producing a video signal representative of said produced light in the visible spectrum disposed for receiving light reflected by said means for reflecting light;
- means for capturing a video signal operably connected for receiving a video signal from said plurality of means for producing a video signal;
- and
- processing means operably associated with said means for capturing a video signal for processing and enhancing an image received by said means for producing a video signal.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.