X-ray intensifying screens including micro-prism reflective layer for exposing X-ray film, X-ray film cassettes, and X-ray film assemblies
View Patent ↗An intensifying screen for exposing X-ray film includes a screen support backing, a luminescent layer having a luminescent material that emits light in the presence of X-rays, and a reflective layer disposed between the luminescent layer and the screen support backing, the reflective layer including a plurality of micro-prisms that reflect light emitted by the luminescent material. An X-ray film cassette includes at least one intensifying screen and a housing surrounding the at least one intensifying screen.
1. An intensifying screen for exposing X-ray film, the intensifying screen comprising:
a screen support backing;
a luminescent layer including a luminescent material that emits light in the presence of X-rays;
a reflective layer disposed between the luminescent layer and the screen support backing, the reflective layer including a plurality of micro-prisms that reflect light emitted by the luminescent material,
wherein micro-prism surfaces of the plurality of micro-prisms do not reflect light that impinges on the respective micro-prism surfaces at an angle exceeding a critical angle as measured from the respective micro-prism surfaces.
2. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer is configured to reflect light emitted by the luminescent material toward an X-ray film disposed adjacent to the luminescent layer.
3. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer reflects light in a direction generally perpendicular to a surface of the screen support backing facing the reflective layer.
4. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer reflects light in a direction generally perpendicular to a surface of the luminescent layer facing the reflective layer.
5. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the luminescent layer emits visible light in response to excitation by X-rays.
6. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the luminescent material comprises a phosphor material.
7. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer comprises a polymer material.
8. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer comprises a crystalline material.
9. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer comprises a glass material.
10. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , further comprising a light-absorbing layer on a side of the plurality of micro-prisms opposite the luminescent layer.
11. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the screen support backing comprises a light-absorbing layer.
12. An X-ray film cassette comprising:
at least one intensifying screen according to claim 1 ;
a housing surrounding the at least one intensifying screen.
13. The X-ray film cassette according to claim 12 , wherein the X-ray film cassette includes two intensifying screens disposed on opposing inner surfaces of the housing.
14. An X-ray film assembly comprising:
at least one intensifying screen according to claim 1 ;
an X-ray film.
15. The X-ray film assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the X-ray film is disposed between two intensifying screens.
16. The X-ray film assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the X-ray film has an emulsion layer.
17. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the micro-prism surfaces reflect light that impinges on the respective micro-prism surfaces at an angle that is less than the critical angle as measured from the respective micro-prism surfaces.
18. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein the micro-prism surfaces reflect light that impinges on the respective micro-prism surfaces at an angle that is less than the critical angle as measured from the respective micro-prism surfaces.
19. The intensifying screen according to claim 1 , wherein light impinging on the micro-prism surfaces that is not reflected is refracted and passes through at least a portion of the reflective layer.