Patent US2555085A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5282236A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5282236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-testing mechanism determining X-ray exposure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-04-07
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism/device (29) in association with a radiographic cassette (20) in which X-ray film (28) or the like is exposed. Upon exposure, an LED (39) continually blinks, indicating exposure to the user, thereby obviating double exposure of the film. A test and reset circuit (80) informs the user at any time of the operational status of device (29). Device (29) comprises a sensor (30), a photodiode (47), a conduit formed by a bundle (31) of optical fibers which conveys light energy from sensor (30) to photodiode (47) that converts it into an electrical current controlled by an electronic circuit (35) which includes LED (39). Circuit (35) includes a detecting and amplifying circuit (51), an oscillating circuit (68), a latching circuit (65) for maintaining blinking of LED (39), and the test-and-reset circuit (80).
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis D. Hayes
- 👤 Warren W. Welcome
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An improvement for a cassette housing a radiographic film and which includes an electronic device that is actuated upon establishment and conveyance thereto of a pulse from a radiographic beam or the like, said device including means for making operational said device by the closing of the cassette and means for indicating an exposed condition of such film with the cassette closed, the improvement comprising means for testing the operational status of the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An improvement for a cassette housing a radiographic film and which includes an electronic device that is actuated upon establishment and conveyance thereto of a pulse from a radiographic beam or the like, said device including means for making operational said device by the closing of the cassette and means for indicating an exposed condition of such film with the cassette closed, the improvement comprising means for testing the operational status of the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said electronic device includes an oscillating means, said means for making operational said device comprises a first switch, and said means for testing the operational status of the device comprises a second switch for energizing said oscillating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 2 including means for causing said second switch to close.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said causing means is a magnet cooperating with said second switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said indicating means comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein the light-emitting diode used as said indicating means is included as part of said testing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A mechanism for employment in a radiographic cassette whereby an X-ray film or the like in the cassette is indicated to be exposed, comprising a transmuting means and an electronic circuit operatively connected thereto, said circuit including means for indicating exposure of the film or the like, said electronic circuit comprising a) detector and amplifying means for the electrical current, b) a light-emitting diode for indicating exposure of the film or the like, and c) latching means by which said light-emitting diode continues to be activated, and means in said electronic means for testing the operational status of the electronic means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A mechanism for employment in a radiographic cassette whereby an X-ray film or the like in the cassette is indicated to be exposed, comprising a transmuting means and an electronic circuit operatively connected thereto, said circuit including means for indicating exposure of the film or the like, said electronic circuit comprising a) detector and amplifying means for the electrical current, b) a light-emitting diode for indicating exposure of the film or the like, and c) latching means by which said light-emitting diode continues to be activated, and means in said electronic means for testing the operational status of the electronic means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cassette of claim 7 wherein said light-emitting diode tests the operational status of the device as well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said electronic means includes a test-and-reset circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mechanism of claim 9 wherein said set-and-reset circuit utilizes said light-emitting diode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for a radiographic cassette comprising a light sensor, electronic means including a photodetector, a conduit for conveying light energy sensed by said light sensor to said photodetector that converts such energy into an electrical current, said electronic means responsive to such electrical current for indicating an exposure of an X-ray film or the like in the cassette, said electronic means including detecting, amplifying, oscillating, and latching circuits, and a test-and-reset circuit operatively connected to the oscillating circuit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for a radiographic cassette comprising a light sensor, electronic means including a photodetector, a conduit for conveying light energy sensed by said light sensor to said photodetector that converts such energy into an electrical current, said electronic means responsive to such electrical current for indicating an exposure of an X-ray film or the like in the cassette, said electronic means including detecting, amplifying, oscillating, and latching circuits, and a test-and-reset circuit operatively connected to the oscillating circuit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
14 words
The device of calim 11 wherein said conduit comprises a bundle of optical fibers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
14 words
The device of calim 11 wherein said conduit comprises a bundle of optical fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said oscillating circuit includes a light-emitting diode, said latching circuit latching onto said oscillating circuit to make said diode blinkingly flash to thereby indicate such exposure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said test-and-reset circuit utilizes said diode to test the operational status of the device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said electronic means includes a first switch for making operational said device, said test-and-reset circuit comprising a second switch for energizing an oscillator in said oscillating circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A radiographic cassette including a device for indicating exposure of a radiographic film or the like in the cassette, said device comprising means mounted in the cassette for transmuting the radiation of a pulse of an X-ray beam or the like into light energy, means for converting such light energy into an electrical current, means for conveying such light energy from said transmuting means to said converting means, and electronic means actuated by said converting means for indicating such exposure, said electronic means including means for testing the operational status of the electronic means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
A radiographic cassette including a device for indicating exposure of a radiographic film or the like in the cassette, said device comprising means mounted in the cassette for transmuting the radiation of a pulse of an X-ray beam or the like into light energy, means for converting such light energy into an electrical current, means for conveying such light energy from said transmuting means to said converting means, and electronic means actuated by said converting means for indicating such exposure, said electronic means including means for testing the operational status of the electronic means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cassette of claim 16 wherein said converting means comprises a photodetector and said electronic means comprises a) detector and amplifying means for the electrical current, b) a light-emitting diode for indicating exposure of the film or the like, and c) latching means by which said light-emitting diode continues to be activated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cassette of claim 17 wherein said conveying means comprises a conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cassette of claim 18 wherein said conduit comprises a bundle of optical fibers connecting said transmitting means to said photodetector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cassette of claim 16 wherein said light-emitting diode tests the operational status of the device as well.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cassette of claim 16 wherein said transmuting means comprises a sensor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cassette of claim 21 wherein said sensor comprises a phosphor material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cassette of claim 22 wherein said conveying means comprises a conduit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cassette of claim 23 wherein said conduit comprises a bundle of optical fibers connecting said transmuting means to said photodetector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |