Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Having photographic medium feed
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-11
2003-01-21
Rutledge, Della J (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Having photographic medium feed
C396S625000, C396S626000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06508599
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a type of X-ray film processor, herein called an automated static X-ray film processor, that, in order to process X-ray film, moves chemicals into and out of one of a plurality of reaction chambers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automated static X-ray film processor that will allow for an operator to start a film processing cycle in one reaction chamber while a previous cycle has already started and is running in another reaction chamber.
2. Prior Art
Around 1900 radiographs were just starting to be utilized in the medical, dental, veterinary, and other health related fields. This new X-ray technology greatly aided the health practitioner in diagnosing disease and injury of the hard tissues. In more recent years, radiographs, with the aid of other diagnostic techniques, have been helpful in soft tissue diagnosis.
For over sixty years exposed radiographic film has been exclusively hand developed in a darkroom. That is, in a darkroom, the film was uncovered under protective red light, then placed in developer solution, then washed, then placed in fixer solution, then washed, and then air-dried. The deficiency of manual processing is that it is very time consuming and inefficient.
In the 1970's an automated roller transport film processor was brought to market. As of this writing, roller processors are still the most common types of processor sold. This type of processor is composed of four roller racks configured one in front of the other. When x-ray film is placed in the processor, the rollers pick up the film and transport it through a series of open tanks that contain processing chemicals. X-rays are moved through developer chemical, then fixer chemical, then a water wash, and finally through a dryer area. Variations have been introduced on the roller processor model. One such variation is a type of developer that uses a nylon gauze-like material configured so that it sandwiches the film, and thereby similarly transports it through the same series of tanks and chemicals as a roller processor. Other types of processors have been marketed which use other types of transport devices, all of which use a system that moves film from one end of the processor to the other. There are several inherent deficiencies with these types of transport processors that detract from their utility. Frequently, film falls out of the transport systems and becomes lost in one of the storage tanks. The result is damaged or destroyed X-ray film. Additionally, because transport mechanisms are constantly immersed in chemical, deposits collect thereon, in turn causing the film to be scratched and damaged. Transport processors require an inordinate amount of maintenance in order to remove scum that collects on the transport mechanisms. Additionally, transport processors do not process film in patient identified groups. There is no efficient way of identifying the X-rays by patient. The result is that films from one patient can be mixed up with films from another, exposing the patient to the danger of misdiagnosis. To alleviate these and.other deficiencies, several inventors have designed and patented processors that have a single reaction chamber. Chemicals, wash water, and dryer air move into and out of this single reaction chamber. X-ray films, once placed inside, remains stationary or static therein. For the sake of this writing, this type of processor shall be designated automated static X-ray film processor. There are many advantages to this type of processor. Because X-ray films do not touch a transport device, films are not scratched, jammed, stuck together, or lost. The resultant film quality is far superior. There are no mechanisms being immersed in chemical and collecting deposits, thus substantially eliminating the need for maintenance. X-ray films are always in one location, which means the X-ray films can never be lost. Because X-ray films are batch processed, patient identity is easily accomplished. X-ray films will not be misidentified nor mixed up.
There are currently several patents that describe automated static film processors. Anthony R. Peres (U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,487) describes an automatic film processor system that has temperature-controlled containers for storing chemicals, and he claims “a film holding chamber below”. Dennis C. Rebek (U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,902) describes an apparatus for developing photographic prints including a cabinet, which houses a developing tank. Heinrich Huss (U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,629) describes a device for developing photographic film with a tank containing a drum arranged for immersing the film in developing chemicals. Lasky and Wright (U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,884) describe an apparatus for processing X-ray film comprising a processing tank with valves for developing solutions and water. Wada and Ishikawa (U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,665) describe a single bath- type developing device. Stephen Blume (U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,372) describes developer and fixer reservoirs fluidly connected to a single reaction chamber. Theodore Perl (U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,533) describes a small X-ray developer where films are dropped into a developing tank. M. Mastrosimone et al (U.S. Pat. No. 3,437,030) claims a processor with a container and a means to move developer chemicals into and out of said container.
The key deficiency of static film processors is the fact that it is not possible for an operator to begin processing a second set of films once a previous set has been started and is still running. Because of this fact, static film processors are ergonomically very inefficient. The operator must wait until the first set of X-ray films is completed before a second set can be placed inside for processing.
In order to alleviate this multiple cycle deficiency, Blume Imaging, a California LLC, manufactured and sold a static film processor with a horizontal rotating lid. An exposed set of X-ray films were placed on a cassette, then attached to the lid via an attachment device. When the start key was pressed, the lid would rotate 180 degrees, moving the X-ray films down into the reaction chamber. A new upper vacant side was now available for a second set of X-ray films to be attached. A second operator would place X-ray films on a cassette, then attach the cassette to the upper lid surface via an attachment device. The X-ray films in the reaction chamber were developed, then washed, then dried. Once the primary cycle was complete, the lid would rotate the processed film up, and the second set of films down into the reaction chamber for processing. Once the processed first cycle set of films was removed from the lid, the now vacant upper lid would be ready for another set of exposed X-ray films to be attached. This early solution to the second cycle deficiency of automated static X-ray film processors proved successful, but required complex mechanics and electronics, raising the per unit cost of the processor. Assembly was also complicated. Additionally, the radius required to rotate the film into the reaction chamber made the outer dimensions of the processor quite large, which proved to be another deficiency. Further, cycles ran consecutively rather than successive but overlapped. That is, a secondary cycle cannot run while a primary cycle is running. The result is that this design is “time inefficient.” Two seven-minute cycles would take at least fourteen minutes to process.
DXSS Inc., a company from the state of Washington, produces a static film processor with a single reaction chamber and a “waiting” black box which serves as a holding station for the next film group. If a first set of X-ray films are already processing, a second operator may uncover a previously exposed set of films and place them in the black box with lid. This black box is light proof, and will not allow film to be damaged. A flashing indicator light shows that X-ray films are inside, ready for processing. When a first operator removes a completed set of films from a first cycle, that first operator will p
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