Portal imaging assembly with laminated neutral density filter and method of use

A radiographic imaging assembly comprising the following components arranged in association, in order:

• (a) a first fluorescent intensifying screen,
• (b) a first radiographic silver halide film,
• (c) a second radiographic silver halide film, and
• (d) a second fluorescent intensifying screen,
• said first radiographic silver halide film comprising a support having first and second major surfaces and is capable of transmitting X-radiation,
• said first radiographic silver halide film having disposed on said first major support surface, one or more hydrophilic colloid layers including at least one silver halide emulsion layer, and on said second major support surface, one or more hydrophilic colloid layers including at least one silver halide emulsion layer,
• each of said silver halide emulsion layers comprising silver halide cubic grains that have the same or different composition in each silver halide emulsion layer, and all hydrophilic layers of said first radiographic silver halide film being fully forehardened and wet processing solution permeable for image formation within 45 seconds,
• said second radiographic silver halide film comprising a support having first and second major surfaces and is capable of transmitting X-radiation,
• said second radiographic silver halide film having disposed on said first major support surface, one or more hydrophilic colloid layers including at least one silver halide emulsion layer, and on said second major support surface, one or more hydrophilic colloid layers including at least one silver halide emulsion layer,
• each of said silver halide emulsion layers comprising silver halide cubic grains that have the same or different composition in each silver halide emulsion layer, and all hydrophilic layers of said second radiographic silver halide film being fully forehardened and wet processing solution permeable for image formation within 45 seconds, and
• laminated to either said first or second fluorescent intensifying screen, a neutral density filter having a density of at least 0.3 and comprising a transparent support having disposed thereon a hydrophilic neutral density filter layer, said neutral density filter being arranged so that said hydrophilic layer is in contact with said first or second fluorescent intensifying screen and said transparent support is adjacent said first or second radiographic silver halide film, respectively.