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US4903288A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Radiation monitor

Assignee: Plantech Radiology Ltd
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Filing: 1988-03-02
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-03-02
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Abstract

Abstract A device for attachment to an X-ray film cassette to indicate whether or not the film has been exposed to X-radiation comprises a phosphor screen (12) which fluoresces on exposure to X-radiation. A photocell (14) detects the light emitted by the screen and generates a control signal which is used to alter the display status of a liquid crystal display (24) from a first condition which indicates that the film in the cassette has not been exposed to X-radiation to a second condition where it indicates that exposure has taken place. A latch circuit (20) is used to retain the altered display even after exposure to X-radiation ceases. The device therefore gives a clear indication of whether or not the film in the cassette has been exposed to X-radiation. The circuit is powered from a nickel cadmium cell (26), the power supply circuit of which incorporates a micro switch (28). The micro-switch is positioned such that when photographic film is present in the cassette and the cassette is closed, the film bears against the micro-switch to close the latter, thus allowing power to be supplied to the circuit. In the absence of film, the micro-switch (28) is open, as a result of which the liquid crystal display is blank giving a clear indication that there is no film in the cassette.

Inventors

  • 👤 Raymond G. McAllister

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 15:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/26; G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/04; G03B2206/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 137 words
A device for indicating the state of exposure to x-radiation of an X-ray cassette of the type having an outer holder and an inner, removable photographic film, the device comprising: visual indicator means having a first visual state for indicating the presence of unexposed film, a second visual state for indicating the presence of exposed film and a third visual state for indicating the absence of film; a power supply circuit for supplying power to said indicator means; first means operable in response to the incidence of x-radiation to provide a control signal for altering the status of said indicator means; and switch means in said power supply circuit, said switch means being positioned such that in the presence of photographic film in said cassette, said film bears on said switch means to close said switch means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 137 words
A device for indicating the state of exposure to x-radiation of an X-ray cassette of the type having an outer holder and an inner, removable photographic film, the device comprising: visual indicator means having a first visual state for indicating the presence of unexposed film, a second visual state for indicating the presence of exposed film and a third visual state for indicating the absence of film; a power supply circuit for supplying power to said indicator means; first means operable in response to the incidence of x-radiation to provide a control signal for altering the status of said indicator means; and switch means in said power supply circuit, said switch means being positioned such that in the presence of photographic film in said cassette, said film bears on said switch means to close said switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a screen coated with a material which emits radiation of a preselected wavelength on exposure to x-radiation and a sensor for generating a signal in response to said emitted radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 when said material is a phosphor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 when said material is calcium tungstate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator means is operable to provide an audible signal in response to said control signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3703272A Cited
US4070582A Cited
DE2812929A1 Cited
US4248172A Cited
US4394772A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-02-19 1993-08-21 1994-02-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-02-19 1997-08-21 1998-02-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-02-19 2001-08-21 2002-02-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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