US 5,349,627 A · Method and apparatus for marking a film in a dark room

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for marking a radiographic film in a dark room with patient data and/or similar information. The marks to be produced are made latent onto the film (F) in a form turning visible during the development of the film (F). The film (F) to be marked is transferred linearly in the marking apparatus, while the film (F) is simultaneously subjected to exposing marking radiation. The marking characters to be formed are sequentially composed from vertically adjacently placed elements (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) using the above-mentioned linear motion of the film (F) as the shift in the direction of the marking character row. In conjunction with the entry of patient data, the identification information for the film cassette to be marked is entered from a keyboard such as a cassette number which is marked on the cassette in a form visible in the dark. The identification information for the film cassette is shown by the marking apparatus so assuring the marking of the correct data onto the correct film.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for marking a radiographic film with patient data or similar information in a dark room after a radiographic exposure, in which method the marks to be produced are made latent onto the film (F) in a form becoming visible during the development of the film (F), comprising the steps of transferring the film (F) to be marked substantially linearly in a marking apparatus during a marking step in the dark room while simultaneously exposing the film to an array of vertically spaced sources of marking radiation;

sequentially composing the marking characters from vertically adjacently placed marks (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) using the above-mentioned linear motion of the film (F) as the shift in the direction of the marking character row;
guiding the film (F) horizontally supported by its lower edge;
and
transferring the film linearly in the horizontal direction past a marking head (20) of the marking apparatus while supporting the film on a plane inclined to a small angle (.alpha.) from the vertical plane.

1 more element

A dark-room marking apparatus, for marking patient data or other similar information on a predetermined area of an exposed radiographic film (F), said apparatus comprising:

a body frame (10a) with integral guidance members (11, 11a) for the film, said guidance members (11, 11a) including transfer elements (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 15, 16) for shifting along a predetermined horizontal path the film (F) to be marked after a radiographic exposure of the film;
a marking head (20) incorporating an array of vertically spaced emitter elements (23.sub.1 . . . 23.sub.7) selectively operative to sequentially aim marking radiation onto the film (F) to be marked as the film is shifted past the marking head (20) with the help of said transfer elements (13a, 13b, 16);
the emitter elements being staggered in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined transfer path of the film so that the marking radiation from the emitter elements composes the marking characters on the film from adjacently placed marks (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) mutually spaced apart on the film in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined path as the film is shifted after exposure;
the guidance members for the film (F) to be marked comprise a horizontal angle (11a) and an adjoining guidance plane (11) which is inclined backward to a small angle (.alpha.) from the vertical plane;
and
the transfer elements (13a, 13b) for the film (F) are placed close to said guidance members (11, 11a), with the film marking head (20) located between said transfer elements.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for marking a film in a dark room

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for marking a film in a dark room

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12