Patent · US Expired

Radiographic image enhancement

US4293640A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
3References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 1980
Grant dateOct 6, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S430/168
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A process for reducing patient and personnel hazards from exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic procedures, comprising irradiating a photographic emulsion to produce an underexposed radiograph, developing and fixing the radiograph and treating the underexposed processed radiograph in a one-step copper ion image enhancement composition to intensify the image profile to a level at least equivalent to a fully exposed radiograph and subsequently darkening the enhanced image by treatment in a one-step iron ion darkening composition to blacken the image profile. The copper ion image enhancement composition and subsequent iron ion darkening composition produces a darkened or blackened image profile as is found in conventional radiographs and enables a reduction in radiation exposure to patient and personnel up to 50% and more over what is generally regarded as the usual level of radiation for a given diagnostic radiographic examination.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.