X-ray image forming method and x-ray image forming system

Details X-ray image forming method and x-ray image forming system X-ray image forming method and x-ray image forming system

1999-01-25

2001-03-06

Bruce, David V. (Department: 2876)

X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices

Electronic circuit

With display or signaling

C378S062000, C378S098800

Reexamination Certificate

active

06198799

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an x-ray image forming method and an x-ray image forming system, which are employed for x-ray mammography and radiography of the limbs, bones, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the x-ray image forming system which is employed for mammography or radiography of the limbs, bones, etc., an x-ray image is captured employing a flat panel detector and the x-ray image is taken out from the flat panel detector in the form of image signals, which, for example, is subjected to thermal fusion transfer employing a thermal head.
In the x-ray image forming system in which an x-ray image is captured employing a flat panel detector and the resulting x-ray image is taken out from this flat panel detector, the detector having extremely excellent sharpness is employed. However, a thermal fusion transfer system employing, for example, a thermal head has not resulted in sufficient sharpness.
Furthermore, there is the thermal fusion transfer system, in which, for example, the transfer is carried out by placing a recording sheet on an image receiving film employing a recording drum. However, there have been problems such that the device becomes expensive and in addition, image formation is not quick enough. Accordingly, it has been impossible to realize the excellent sharpness of the flat panel detector employing a low cost device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an x-ray image forming method and an x-ray image forming system, in which a high quality x-ray image with excellent sharpness and high resolution, required for mammography and radiography of the limbs, bones, etc., is obtained quickly and surely, moreover employing a low cost device.
In an x-ray image forming method of the invention, an x-ray image is captured employing a flat panel detector; from said flat panel detector, said x-ray image is taken out in the form of an image signal; upon converting said image signal to variation in light intensity, employing a thermally developable photosensitive material basically comprising photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive reducible silver source, and a reducing agent for said silver source, said x-ray image is recorded in photosensitive silver halide grains; the resulting grains are heated in the presence of said non-photosensitive reducible silver source and said reducing agent for the said source to obtain an x-ray image.
The x-ray image forming method of the invention comprises steps of;
capturing an x-ray image by a flat panel detector,
reading an x-ray image from the flat panel in the form of an image signal,
converting the x-ray image signal to light signal,
exposing a thermally developable photosensitive material comprises a light sensitive silver halide grains, a non-photosensitive reducible silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source according to the light signal,
heating the exposed thermally developable photosensitive material to obtain an x-ray image.
According to the invention, it is possible to quickly and surely obtain a high quality x-ray image with excellent sharpness and high resolution required, for example, for mammography, and radiography of the limbs, the bones, etc. by recording the x-ray image in photosensitive silver halide grains and thermally developing the recorded image in the presence of a non-photosensitive silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source.
In an x-ray image forming system, wherein an x-ray image is captured using a flat panel detector, and from said flat panel detector, said x-ray image is taken out in the form of an image signal, an x-ray image forming system characterized in that said x-ray image signal is converted to variation in light intensity which is recording on photosensitive silver halide grains in a thermally developable photosensitive material and a thermal development device is provided, in which an x-ray image is obtained by heating in the presence of a non-photosensitive reducible silver source and a reducing agent for said silver source.
The x-ray image forming system of the invention comprises;
a flat panel detector which captures an x-ray image, and from said flat panel detector, reading out device to take out an x-ray image from the flat panel in the form of an image signal,
a converting device which converts the x-ray image signal to light signal,
an exposing device which exposes a thermally developable photosensitive material comprises a light sensitive silver halide grains, a non-photosensitive reducible silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source according to the light signal,
a heating device which thermally develops the exposed thermally developable photosensitive material.
According to this, it is possible to quickly and surely obtain a high quality x-ray image with excellent sharpness and high resolution, required for, for example, mammography, radiography of the limbs, the bones, etc., moreover, employing a low cost device, by recording the x-ray image on photosensitive silver halide grains and thermally developing the thermally developable photosensitive material while being heated in the presence of a non-photosensitive silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source.
In an x-ray image forming system thermal development device is provided with a conveyance means which conveys said thermally developable photosensitive material, an exposure means which exposes photosensitive silver halide grains of said thermally developable photosensitive material, a heating means which supplies heat to both of a non-photosensitive reducible silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source in said thermally developable photosensitive material, and a control means which controls said conveyance means, said exposure means, and said heating means, and said thermally developable photosensitive material is thermally developed to obtain an x-ray image.
So the x-ray image forming system comprises
a conveyance device which conveys said thermally developable photosensitive material,
an exposure device which exposes the thermally developable photosensitive material,
a heating device which supplies heat to the thermally developable photosensitive material comprising a light sensitive silver halide grains, a non-photosensitive reducible silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source, and
a control device which controls said conveyance device, said exposure device, and said heating device.
According to the invention described, by conveying a thermally developable photosensitive material, recording an x-ray image on photosensitive silver halide grains through exposure, and thermally developing the thermally developable photosensitive material upon being heated in the presence of a non-photosensitive silver source and a reducing agent for the silver source, it is possible to quickly and surely obtain a high quality x-ray image with excellent sharpness and high resolution required, for example, for mammography, radiography of the limbs, the bones, etc., moreover, employing a low cost device.


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“Imation DryView 8700 Laser Imaging System Product Data”, Kodak Health Imaging, pp. 1-5, XP002104496, May 20, 1999.
Imation DryView Laser Imaging Film Product Data, Kodak Health Imaging, pp. 1-3, XP 002104497, Jun. 1, 1999.

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