Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Gottfried Lange

Hans-Erich Reinfelder

Ingmar Feigt

Heinrich Diepers

Bernhard Conrad

Ernst Feldtkeller

Karl Hans Reiss

Michael Vieth

Guenther Tressl

Hans Heinrich

Gunther Tressl

A read-out system for a luminescent storage screen of the type used to latently store an x-ray in an x-ray diagnostics apparatus includes a radiation source which generates a scan beam, which is deflected over the storage screen to cause the storage screen to luminesce pixel-by-pixel, with the emitted light being supplied to an image reproductions circuit for generating a visible image. A portion of the scan beam is coupled-out and is conducted to a correction detector unit, which supplies a correction signal containing information regarding the intensity, and further information about the location, of the deflected scan beam. The output signals of the detector and the correction detector are superimposed so that any errors caused by fluctuations in the brightness of the scan beam, or non-uniformities in the structure of the detector, will be corrected.

Read-out system for a luminescent storage screen

A read-out system for a luminescent storage screen of the type used in an x-ray diagnostics installation has a scan beam generator which generates a scan beam of a first wavelength, a beam deflector for deflecting the scan beam to planarly scan a luminescent storage screen pixel-by-pixel to retrieve the stored image, the scan beam causing the storage screen to luminesce and generate light of a second wavelength which is detected by a detector system. The detector system includes a light conductor which conducts the light onto a light detector. The detector system includes a filter for light of the first wavelength, which is arranged in the immediate proximity of the point of incidence of the scan beam on the luminescent storage screen. The filter is in the form of a slot-shaped opening for the scan beam.

The present invention is directed to an improvement for an x-ray diagnostics installation having a storage luminescent screen for the latent storage of x-ray images. The installation includes an x-ray generator, an x-ray exposure device which is connected to the generator for projecting x-ray beams to create an x-ray image on the screen, a read-out device which projects light as a scanning beam on the screen to excite luminesce pixel-by-pixel, a detector arrangement for acquiring the light emitted by the storage screen to create a signal used by the image reproduction system to display the image. The x-ray generator is connected to the read-out arrangement so that parameters of the read-out arrangement are set on the basis of adjustments of the x-ray generator and/or the measurements carried out during the exposure.

X-ray diagnostics installation having a storage luminescent screen

A read-out system for a luminescent storage screen, in which a latent x-ray image is stored, includes a tubular, mirrored light guide having an opening through which light from the storage screeen, caused by scanning the storage screen line-by-line with a beam of read-out radiation, exits onto a detector. The detector is disposed so that its light-sensitive surface is parallel to the scanned line. The light guide has a slot-shaped passage for the scan beam, with ends closed by plates having mirrored surfaces.

Read-out system for a luminescent storage screen in an X-ray diagnostics

An apparatus for converting image information generated by radiation incident on a storage layer into an electrical signal sequence by scanning the storage layer with a light beam permits a fast and precise conversion of the radiation image information into the electrical signal. This is a accomplished by connecting the scanned point of the storage layer to photodiodes functioning as light transducers via a light conductor in the form of a transparent, strip-shaped plate. The light conductor plate has a major surface adjacent to the storage area, and respective minor surfaces at opposite narrow ends thereof to which the photo diodes are connected. The apparatus can be used in x-ray television technology, such as medical x-ray diagnostics.

Apparatus for the conversion of radiation image information carried on a

An apparatus for producing x-ray images by computer radiography has a storage plate on which x-rays are incident after passing through an examination subject, and an image reader for detecting the photo-stimulatable luminescence of the storage plate. The storage plate has a carrier which is impenetrable by the radiation beams used for detecting the luminescence, the carrier having two major flat sides each having a photostimulatable storage layer thereon. Each side has a read-out system associated therewith for double sided read-out of the storage plate. By undertaking a double-sided read-out, increased absorption of the x-rays in the storage plate can be exploited, and thus a correspondingly increased efficiency in the read-out can be obtained.

Apparatus for producing x-ray images by computer radiography

The invention relates to an x-ray image converter for use with an x-ray phosphorescent screen which includes means for scanning the screen with a radiation source, as well as detectors for converting light from the exposed phosphorescent screen into a video signal sequence and a further device for the conversion of this signal sequence thus obtained into a visible picture. For such a converter it is desirable to obtain a simple arrangement which permits an interference-free signal which requires a short processing time (less than 10 sec). The invention provides that the phosphorescent screen is subdivided into a plurality of partial areas and to each of them a detector is allocated, which is interfaced to a memory and means for analyzing the image parts and for generating a composite visible picture. An x-ray image converter according to the invention is usable in particular in medical radiodiagnostics.

X-ray image converter

The invention concerns electroradiographic image recording and reproducing apparatus in which a radiation image is stored as an electrical charge pattern in a photoconductive layer (6). This image is then converted, by scanning with a beam of light (22), into a sequence of electrical signals which are picked up by strip electrodes (7) arranged on the photoconductive layer surface. The signal-noise ratio may be improved and a large number of amplifiers may be eliminated, according to the invention, by providing a discharge electrode (8) on the photoconductive layer (6) at a distance from the ends of strip electrodes (7). During read-out, the respective strip electrode (7) along which the scanning takes place is electrically connected with the discharge electrode (8) by illuminating (23) the intermediate space (25) between the latter and the strip electrode (7). Such an apparatus is useful, in particular, for the visual reproduction of X-ray images in medical X-ray diagnostics.

Apparatus for recording and reproducing an electrographic image

An X-ray converter foil comprises a semiconductor layer and a carrier layer between which an electrode in the form of a conductive foil is disposed, the thickness of the semiconductor layer being less than 50 .mu.m. An X-ray amplification layer is attached to the carrier layer.

X-Ray converter foil

In an exemplary embodiment, a charge image resulting from x-ray exposure of a plate originally charged to 1.5 to 5 kV, is developed by applying powder of opposite polarity while applying a voltage of from 1 to 4.5 kV, also of opposite polarity, to a conductive backing for neutralizing the effect of image background charge. A grid is spaced a small distance from the charge image and receives a voltage of about 1000 volts for controlling edge emphasis. For a positive charge image and negatively charged powder, a negative potential of e.g. -2500 volts may be applied to the backing for the photoconductive layer and +1000 volts may be applied to the grid.

Method of eliminating background residual charge in electrophotographic

The invention relates to arrangements for the production of electroradiographic x-ray photographs wherein x-ray photoconductive layers are electrically charged at their surfaces and subsequently exposed to an image-forming irradiation with x-rays, such that, due to the influence of the rays which penetrate a body, charge images are obtained which can be rendered visible through the application of pigment particles. For the simultaneous production of several images, the invention provides that several layers be arranged in a cassette. An inventive arrangement is particularly suited for use in medical radiation diagnosis.

Arrangement for the production of electroradiographic x-ray photographs

A method and apparatus for effecting the visualization of electrostatic images. During the deposition of the pigment in the developing area, the absorption of light is measured at least at one part of the surface of the image so as to form a signal, and that the further supply of pigment is controlled in accordance with this signal. Through the control, meaning the termination or break off of the developing sequence upon reaching of a predetermined image coating, respectively, color depth, such as darkening, there is obtained the identical picture characteristics for all exposures.

Method and apparatus for visualization of electrostatic images

An arrangement for the electro-photographic recording or taking of radioscopic pictures. The arrangement for the electro-photographic taking of radioscopic pictures provides a constant level of illumination which is independent of current requirements. The object is attained by providing a support for the exposure or photographic layer with mutually insulated, electrically conductive layers between which there is located the exposure layer, and wherein the two conductive layers are connected to an installation for controlling the source of the transilluminating radiation.

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Erlangen, Germany

Gottfried Lange