Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J29/00—Details of cathode-ray tubes or of electron-beam tubes of the types covered by group H01J31/00
  • H01J29/02—Electrodes; Screens; Mounting, supporting, spacing or insulating thereof
  • H01J29/10—Screens on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted or stored
  • H01J29/36—Photoelectric screens; Charge-storage screens
  • H01J29/38—Photoelectric screens; Charge-storage screens not using charge storage, e.g. photo-emissive screen, extended cathode
  • H01J29/385—Photocathodes comprising a layer which modified the wave length of impinging radiation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
  • G03C1/00—Photosensitive materials
  • G03C1/494—Silver salt compositions other than silver halide emulsions; Photothermographic systems ; Thermographic systems using noble metal compounds
  • G03C1/498—Photothermographic systems, e.g. dry silver
  • G03C1/49881—Photothermographic systems, e.g. dry silver characterised by the process or the apparatus
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
  • G03C5/00—Photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents
  • G03C5/16—X-ray, infrared, or ultraviolet ray processes
  • G03C5/17—X-ray, infrared, or ultraviolet ray processes using screens to intensify X-ray images
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • G21K—HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
  • G21K4/00—Conversion screens for the conversion of the spatial distribution of X-rays or particle radiation into visible images, e.g. fluoroscopic screens
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
  • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
  • H01J31/50—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
  • G03C5/00—Photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents
  • G03C5/16—X-ray, infrared, or ultraviolet ray processes
  • G03C2005/168—X-ray material or process
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S430/00—Radiation imagery chemistry: process, composition, or product thereof
  • Y10S430/167—X-ray

Definitions

• This invention relates to new and improved fluorescent or phosphor screens (or radiographic phosphor panels) used in imaging from X- radiation in radiography.
• it relates to screens having highly reflective supports that provide improved reflectivity particularly at shorter wavelengths.
• BACKGROUND OF THE I VENTION The use of radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsions for medical diagnostic imaging can be traced to Roentgen's discovery of X-radiation by the inadvertent exposure of a silver halide film. Eastman Kodak Company then introduced its first product to be exposed by X-radiation in 1913. In conventional medical diagnostic imaging the object is to obtain an image of a patient's internal anatomy with as little X-radiation exposure as possible.
• the fastest imaging speeds are realized by mounting a dual-coated radiographic element between a pair of fluorescent intensifying screens for imagewise exposure. 5% or less of the exposing X-radiation passing through the patient is adsorbed directly by the latent image forming silver halide emulsion layers within the dual-coated radiographic element. Most of the X-radiation that participates in image formation is absorbed by phosphor particles within the fluorescent screens. This stimulates light emission that is more readily absorbed by the silver halide emulsion layers of the radiographic element.
• the need to increase the diagnostic capabilities of radiographic imaging assemblies (film and screen) while minimizing patient exposure to X- radiation has presented a significant, long-standing challenge in the construction of both radiographic films and intensifying screens.
• radiographic intensifying screens In constructing radiographic intensifying screens, the desire is to achieve the maximum longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation emission possible for a given level of X-radiation exposure (that is realized as maximum imaging speed) while obtaining the highest achievable level of image definition (that is, sharpness or resolution). Since maximum speed and maximum sha ⁇ ness in the screens are not compatible features, most commercial screens represent the best attainable compromise for their intended use. Examples of radiographic element constructions for medical diagnostic pu ⁇ oses are provided by U. S.
• Conventional supports for intensifying screens include cardboard and plastic films such as cellulose ester, polyester, polyolefin, and polystyrene films. The polymeric films can be loaded with absorbing or reflective dyes or pigments as desired.
• the choice of a support for the intensifying screens illustrates the mutually exclusive choices that are considered in screen optimization. It is generally recognized that supports have a high level of abso ⁇ tion of emitted longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation produce the sha ⁇ est radiographic images.
• the screens that produce the sha ⁇ est images are commonly constructed with black supports or polymeric supports loaded with carbon black. In these constructions, sha ⁇ ness is improved at the expense of photographic speed because a portion of the otherwise available, emitted longer wavelength radiation is not directed to the adjacent radiographic film.
• the best reflective supports known in the art have degraded image sha ⁇ ness in relation to imaging speed so as to restrict their use to situations wherein image sha ⁇ ness is less demanding.
• U.S. Patent 4,912,333 (Roberts et al.) describes the use of stretch cavitation microvoided supports composed of a continuous polymeric phase, immiscible microbeads dispersed therein, and reflective microvoids (also called “lenslets”) for fluorescent intensifying screens.
• the microbeads are composed of polymeric materials with specific refractive indices. Cellulose acetate microbeads are particularly useful.
• the present invention provides a phosphor screen that comprises an inorganic phosphor capable of absorbing X-rays and emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 300 nm, the inorganic phosphor being coated in admixture with a polymeric binder in a phosphor layer onto a flexible support, the flexible support comprising a reflective substrate comprising a continuous polyester first phase and a second phase dispersed within the continuous polyester first phase, the second phase comprised of microvoids containing barium sulfate particles.
• this invention provides a radiographic imaging assembly comprising: a) a photosensitive silver halide-containing film comprising a support having first and second major surfaces, the photosensitive silver halide-containing film having disposed on at least the first major support surface, one or more photosensitive emulsion layers, and b) a phosphor screen that comprises an inorganic phosphor capable of absorbing X-rays and emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 300 nm, the inorganic phosphor being coated in admixture with a polymeric binder in a phosphor layer onto a flexible support, the flexible support comprising a reflective substrate comprising a continuous polyester first phase and a second phase dispersed within the continuous polyester first phase, the second phase comprised of microvoids containing barium sulfate particles.
• a method of providing a radiographic image comprises: A) directing imaging X-radiation through a phosphor screen that comprises an inorganic phosphor capable of absorbing X-rays and emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 300 nm, the inorganic phosphor being coated in admixture with a polymeric binder in a phosphor layer onto a flexible support, the flexible support comprising a reflective substrate comprising a continuous polyester first phase and a second phase dispersed within the continuous polyester first phase, the second phase comprised of microvoids containing barium sulfate particles, thereby causing the electromagnetic radiation to impinge on a photosensitive silver halide-containing film comprising a support having first and second major surfaces, the photosensitive silver halide-containing film having disposed on at least the first major support surface, one or more photosensitive emulsion layers, to form a latent image in the film, and B) developing the latent image in the film.
• the screen of the present invention has a support that has increased reflectivity, especially in the region of from 350 to 450 nm where the phosphor is sensitive.
• This support includes one or more layers, at least one layer containing specific particles, that is barium sulfate, in the microvoids of a continuous polyester phase.
• the improvement in reflectivity of a phosphor screen of the present invention over phosphor screens of the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein Curve A represents the reflectance spectrum for a conventional non- microvoided poly(ethylene terephthalate) support used in many conventional screens including Kodak Lanex ® Regular Screen (Eastman Kodak Company).
• Curve B represents the reflectance spectrum for a non-microvoided MelinexTM 339 polyester film (available from DuPont-Teijin Films)
• Curve C ⁇ represents the reflectance spectrum for a microvoided poly(ethylene terephthalate) support that contains no reflective inorganic particulate materials.
• Curve D represents the reflectance spectrum for a support of the present invention.
• the combination of reflective lenslets (microvoids) formed around the highly reflective barium sulfate particles, particularly in the near UV range, demonstrates the unexpected additive reflective properties in the very highly reflective film of the present invention (Curve D).
• the phosphor screen of this invention also includes a radiation absorbing layer between the support and the phosphor layer. This absorbing layer is capable of absorbing radiation at a first wavelength (for example between 6O0 and 700 nm) and transmitting radiation at a second wavelength (for example between 350 and 450 nm).
• FIGURE 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a support comprising a single reflective substrate.
• FIGURES 2-4 are enlarged cross-sectional views of various supports comprising a reflective substrate and an additional layer.
• FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a support comprising two reflective substrates on either side of an additional microvoided polyester layer.
• FIGURE 6 is a graphical representation of % reflectance vs. wavelength for various supports used in phosphor screens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• the term “dual-coated” is used to define a radiographic material having one or more imaging layers disposed on both the front- and backsides of the support.
• a “single-coated” radiographic material has one or more imaging layers on one side of the support only.
• the radiographic materials used in the present invention can be “single-coated” or “dual-coated.”
• fluorescent intensifying screen refers to a "prompt- emitting" phosphor screen that absorbs X-radiation and immediately emits light upon exposure.
• storage fluorescent screens refer to phosphor screens that can "store” the exposing X-radiation for emission at a later time when the screen is irradiated with other radiation (usually visible light).
• the "phosphor screens” of the present invention can be either “fluorescent intensifying screens” or “storage fluorescent screens”, but preferably they are “fluorescent intensifying screens”.
• the terms “front” and “back” refer to layers, films, or phosphor screens nearer to and farther from, respectively, a source of X-radiation.
• the term “rare earth” is used to indicate chemical elements having an atomic number of 39 or 57 through 71. Research Disclosure is published by Kenneth Mason Publications, Ltd., Dudley House, 12 North St., Emsworth, Hampshire P010 7DQ England. This publication is also available from Emsworth Design Inc., 147 West 24th Street, New York, N . 10011.
• the phosphors screens of this invention are typically designed to absorb X-radiation and to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 300 nm. These screens can take any convenient form providing they meet all of the usual requirements for use in radiographic imaging. Examples of conventional, useful fluorescent intensifying screens and methods of making them are provided by Research Disclosure, Item 18431, cited above, Section LX. X-Ray Screens/Phosphors, and U.S. Patents 5,021,327 (Bunch et al.), 4,994,355 (Dickerson et al.), 4,997,750 (Dickerson et al.), and 5,108,881 (Dickerson et al.).
• the fluorescent or phosphor layer contains phosphor particles and a binder, optimally additionally containing a light scattering material, such as titania or light absorbing materials such as particulate carbon, dyes or pigments.
• a binder or mixture thereof
• the binder is an aliphatic polyurethane elastomer or another highly transparent elastomeric polymer.
• Any conventional or useful prompt-emitting or storage phosphor can be used, singly or in mixtures, in the phosphor screens used in the practice of this invention.
• useful phosphors are described in numerous references relating to fluorescent intensifying and storage screens, including but not limited to, Research Disclosure, Vol.
• Useful of phosphors include, but are not limited to, calcium tungstate (CaWO_ ⁇ ), activated or unactivated lithium stannates, niobium and/or rare earth activated or unactivated yttrium, lutetium, or gadolinium tantalates, rare earth (such as terbium, lanthanum, gadolinium, cerium, and lutetium)-activated or unactivated middle chalcogen phosphors such as rare earth oxychalcogenides and oxyhalides, and terbium-activated or unactivated lanthanum and lutetium middle chalcogen phosphors. Still other useful phosphors are those containing hafnium as described for example in U.S.
• Some preferred rare earth oxychalcogenide and oxyhalide phosphors are represented by the following formula (1): , M' (w . n) M" n O w X' (1)
• M' is at least one of the metals yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), gadolinium (Gd), or lutetium (Lu)
• M" is at least one of the rare earth metals, preferably dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), holmium (Ho), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), tantalum (Ta), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), or ytterbium (Yb)
• X' is a middle chalcogen (S, Se, or Te) or halogen
• n is 0.002 to 0.2
• w is 1 when X' is halogen or 2 when X' is a middle chalcogen.
• rare earth-activated lanthanum oxybromides include rare earth-activated lanthanum oxybromides, and terbium-activated or thulium-activated gadolinium oxides such as Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb.
• Other suitable phosphors are described in U.S. Patents 4,835,397 (Arakawa et al.) and 5,381,015 (Dooms), and including for example divalent europium and other rare earth activated alkaline earth metal halide phosphors and rare earth element activated rare earth oxyhalide phosphors. Of these types of phosphors, the more preferred phosphors include alkaline earth metal fluorohalide prompt emitting phosphors.
• Another class of useful phosphors includes rare earth hosts such as rare earth activated mixed alkaline earth metal sulfates such as europium-activated barium strontium sulfate.
• Further useful phosphors are those containing doped or undoped tantalum such as YTaO 4 , YTaO 4 :Nb, Y(Sr)TaO , and Y(Sr)TaO 4 :Nb. These phosphors are described in U.S. Patents 4,226,653 (Brixner), 5,064,729 (Zegarski), 5,250,366 (Nakajima et al.), and 5,626,957 (Benso et al.).
• the fluorescent intensifying screens of this invention preferably have as a phosphor, a gadolinium oxysulfide:terbium (that is, terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide) or a europium-doped barium fluorobromide.
• the coverage of phosphor in the dried phosphor layer is from 250 to 450 g/m , and preferably from 300 to 400 g/m 2 .
• An optional but preferred component of the phosphor screens of this invention is a protective overcoat layer disposed over the phosphor layer.
• This protective overcoat layer can comprise one or more polymer binders normally used for this pu ⁇ ose, such as a cellulose ester (for example cellulose acetate).
• the protective layer includes a miscible blend of "first" and "second” polymers.
• This miscible blend can include two or more of each type of polymer.
• the first polymer is a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co- tetrafluoroethylene) wherein the recurring units derived from the vinylidene fluoride monomer can compose from 20 to 80 mol % (preferably from 40 to 60 mol %) of the total recurring units in the polymer, and the remainder of the recurring units are derived from tetrafluoroethylene.
• PVF poly(vinylidene fluoride-co- tetrafluoroethylene) wherein the recurring units derived from the vinylidene fluoride monomer can compose from 20 to 80 mol % (preferably from 40 to 60 mol %) of the total recurring units in the polymer, and the remainder of the recurring units are derived from tetrafluoroethylene.
• PVF poly(vinylidene fluoride-
• PVF is available as Kynar 7201 from Atofina Chemicals, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA).
• the second polymer is a poly(alkyl acrylate or methacrylate).
• examples of such polymers include, but are not limited to, poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly( ethyl acrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), and poly(chloromethyl methacrylate).
• the poly(l- or 2-carbon alkyl acrylates or methacrylates) including, but not limited to, poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl methacrylate) are preferred. These polymers are readily prepared using known monomeric reactants and polymerization conditions, and can also be obtained from several commercial sources.
• the protective overcoat layer can also include various matte particles, lubricants, micronized waxes, and surfactants, if desired.
• Useful matte particles include both inorganic and organic particles that generally have a particle size of from 4 to 20 ⁇ m. Examples of suitable matte particles include, but are not limited to, talc, silica particles or other inorganic particulate materials, and various organic polymeric particles that are known for this pu ⁇ ose in the art.
• the amount of matte particles present in the protective overcoat layer can be up to 10% (based on total layer dry weight).
• the protective overcoat layer may also include one or more lubricants in an amount of up to 10% (based on total dry layer weight).
• lubricants can be either in solid or liquid form and include such materials as surface active agents, silicone oils, synthetic oils, polysiloxane-polyether copolymers, polyolefm-polyether block copolymers, fluorinated polymers, polyolefins, and what are known as micronized waxes that are preferred.
• the protective overcoat layer generally has a dry thickness of from 3 to 15 ⁇ m, and a preferred dry thickness of from 5 to 13 ⁇ m.
• the phosphor screens of the present invention have a support that is a single- or multi-layer reflective sheet.
• the support used for the phosphor screens is a single layer reflective substrate with the noted components and characteristics. This particular embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 wherein the support is composed of reflective substrate 11 that comprises continuous polyester phase 12 and microvoids 14 containing barium sulfate particles 16 dispersed therein.
• the support comprises at least one other layer that is arranged adjacent the reflective support. This additional layer(s) can be co-extruded with the reflective substrate or adhered to it in a suitable manner.
• FIG. 2 One embodiment of this type is shown in FIG. 2 wherein support 10 comprises reflective substrate 11 and adjacent layer 18. Still another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 wherein support 30 comprises reflective substrate 11 and adjacent layer 20 that includes continuous polyester phase 22 and microvoids 24 dispersed therein.
• FIG. 4 An alternative to the previous embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 wherein support 40 comprises reflective substrate 11 and adjacent layer 26 that includes continuous polyester phase 28 and microvoids 46 containing particles 32 other than barium sulfate dispersed therein.
• FIG. 4 A preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG.
• support 50 comprises a first reflective substrate 11, an adjacent layer 34 that includes continuous polyester phase 36 and microvoids 38 that may or may not include particles (but definitely not barium sulfate particles), and a second reflective substrate 42 that includes continuous polyester phase 44 and microvoids 46 containing barium sulfate particles 48.
• two reflective substrates as defined herein are used to "sandwich" a microvoided polyester layer that may or may not include particles in the microvoids. If particles are present, however, they are not barium sulfate particles.
• the two reflective substrates can be the same or different in polyester composition, volume and size of microvoids, and size and amount of barium sulfate. Further details of microvoided polyester layers are provided below.
• the support described herein is capable of reflecting at least 90%
• the continuous polyester first phase of the reflective substrate provides a matrix for the other components of the reflective substrate and is transparent to longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation.
• This polyester phase can comprise a film or sheet of one or more thermoplastic polyesters, which film has been biaxially stretched (that is, stretched in both the longitudinal and transverse directions) to create the microvoids therein around the barium sulfate particles.
• any suitable polyester can be used as long as it can be cast, spun, molded, or otherwise formed into a film or sheet, and can be biaxially oriented as noted above.
• the polyesters have a glass transition temperature of from 50 to 150° C (preferably from 60 to 100°C) as deteirnined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).
• Suitable polyesters include those produced from the reaction of aromatic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids of 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aliphatic or aromatic glycols having 2 to 24 carbon atoms.
• dicarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phfhalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, fumaric acid, 1 ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.
• useful polyols include, but are not limited to, diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediols, pentanediols, hexanediols, 1,4- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.
• Suitable polyesters that can be used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, poly(l,4-cyclohexylene dimethyl ene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), and poly( 1 ,3- cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate). Poly(l,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) is most preferred.
• the ratio of the refractive index of the continuous polyester first phase to the second phase is from 1.4:1 to 1.6:1.
• Barium sulfate particles are inco ⁇ orated into the continuous polyester phase as described below. These particles generally have an average particle size of from 0.3 to 2 ⁇ m (preferably from 0.7 to 1.0 ⁇ m).
• these particles comprise from 35 to 65 weight % (preferably from 55 to 60 weight %) of the total dry reflective substrate weight, and from 15 to 25% of the total reflective substrate volume.
• the barium sulfate particles can be inco ⁇ orated into the continuous polyester phase by various means. For example, they can be inco ⁇ orated during polymerization of the dicarboxylic acid(s) and polyol(s) used to make the continuous polyester first phase. Alternatively and preferably, they are inco ⁇ orated by mixing them into pellets of the polyester and extruding the mixture to produce a melt stream that is cooled into the desired sheet containing barium sulfate particles dispersed therein.
• the microvoids containing the barium sulfate particles comprise a second phase dispersed within the continuous polyester first phase.
• the microvoids generally occupy from 35 to 60% (by volume) of the dry reflective substrate.
• the microvoids can be of any particular shape, that is circular, elliptical, convex, or any other shape reflecting the film orientation process and the shape and size of the barium sulfate particles.
• microvoids The size and ultimate physical properties of the microvoids depend upon the degree and balance of the orientation, temperature and rate of stretching, crystallization characteristics of the polyester, the size and distribution of the barium sulfate particles, and other considerations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
• the microvoids are formed when the extruded sheet containing barium sulfate particles is biaxially stretched using conventional orientation techniques.
• the reflective substrates used in the practice of this invention are prepared by: (a) blending barium sulfate particles into a desired polyester as the continuous phase, (b) forming a sheet of the polyester containing barium sulfate particles, such as by extrusion, and (c) stretching the sheet in one or transverse directions to form microvoids around the barium sulfate particles.
• the present invention does not require but permits the use or addition of various organic and inorganic materials such as pigments, anti-block agents, antistatic agents, plasticizers, dyes, stabilizers, nucleating agents, and other addenda known in the art to the reflective substrate.
• the flexible support substrate can have a thickness (dry) of from 75 to 400 ⁇ m (preferably from 150 to 225 ⁇ m). If there are multiple reflective substrates in the support, their thickness can be the same or different.
• the reflective substrate can be the sole layer of the support for the phosphor screen, but in some preferred embodiments, additional layers are formed or laminated with one or more reflective substrate to form a multi-layer or multi-strata support.
• the support further comprises an addition layer such as a second microvoided polyester layer that has similar composition as the reflective substrate except that barium sulfate particles are omitted.
• the second polyester layer is ananged adjacent the reflective substrate, but opposite the phosphor layer.
• the reflective layer is closer to the phosphor layer than the microvoided polyester layer.
• FIGS. 2-4 noted above illustrate some of these embodiments.
• the second microvoided polyester layers can comprise microvoids in an amount of from 35 to 60% (by total layer volume).
• the additional polyester layers (with or without microvoids) can have a dry thickness of from 30 to 200 ⁇ m (preferably from 50 to 70 ⁇ m).
• the polyester(s) in the additional layer can be same or different as those in the reflective substrate.
• These additional microvoided polyester layers can also include organic or inorganic particles in the microvoids as long as those particles are not barium sulfate.
• Useful particles includes polymeric beads (such as cellulose acetate particles), crosslinked polymeric microbeads, immiscible polymer particles (such as polypropylene particles), and other particulate materials known in the art that will not interfere with the desired reflectivity of the support required for the present invention.
• some additional embodiments comprise a radiation absorbing layer between the support and the phosphor layer. This radiation absorbing layer is capable of absorbing substantially all of the radiation at a first wavelength while transmitting substantially all of the radiation at a second wavelength.
• substantially all is meant at least 50% and preferably at least 80% for both the absorption and transmittance, although the percentages need not be the same for abso ⁇ tion as for transmittance.
• the first wavelength is within the range of from 600 to 700 nm.
• the second wavelength is from 350 to 450 nm. Abso ⁇ tion and transmittance of the appropriate wavelengths is generally accomplished using one or more organic or inorganic colorants that collectively provide the desired hue in the radiation absorbing layer.
• the colorants are generally blue dyes or pigments, of which there are numerous possible compounds that can be dispersed within a suitable binder and coated out of an appropriate solvent(s) onto the support or an adhering layer (such as a subbing or priming layer).
• Useful colorants include inorganic colorants such as ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cerulean blue, chromium oxide, a pigment of TiO 2 -ZnO-CoO- NiO system, and others known in the art.
• Organic colorants include Zapon Fast Blue 3G (Hoescht AG), Estrol Brill BlueN-3RL (Sumitomo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), Sumiacryl Blue F-GSL (Sumitomo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), D&C Blue No. 1 (National Aniline Co., Ltd.), Spirit Blue (Hodogaya Kagaku Co., Ltd.), Oil Blue No.
• Kiton Blue A (Ciba Geigy AG), Aizen Cathilon Blue GLH (Hodogaya Kagaku Co., Ltd.), Lake Blue A.F.H. (Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Rodalin Blue 6GX (Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Primocyanine 6GX (Inahata Sagyo Co., Ltd.), Brillacid Green 6BH (Hodogaya Kagaku Co., Ltd.), and Cyanine Blue BNRS and Lionol Blue SL (both Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.).
• a particularly useful organic blue-absorbing colorant is the water- soluble 1,4-benzenedisulfonic acid, 2-(3-acetyl-4-(5-(3-acetyl-l-(2,5- disulfophenyl)l,5-dihydro-5-oxo-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)-l,3-pentasodium salt that can be represented by the following Structure (DYE):
• the colorant(s) are present in the radiation absorbing layer in an amount sufficient to provide the desired abso ⁇ tion of the first wavelength and transmittance of the second wavelength. Routine experimentation may be needed by a skilled artisan to find the appropriate amount (g m 2 ) for a given colorant, colorant/binder dispersion, and combination of first and second wavelengths.
• Useful binders for the radiation absorbing layer include gum arabic, a protein such as gelatin or a gelatin derivative, a polysaccharide such as dextran, polyvinyl butyral other polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl acetate, nitrocellulose, ethylcellulose, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate) and similar polyacrylates, vinyl chloride- vinyl acetate copolymers, polyurethane, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, and others that would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• Polyvinyl alcohols are particularly useful for water-based formulations containing water-soluble or water-dispersible colorants.
• the radiographic materials useful in the practice of this invention can be "wet" radiographic films that are normally processed in “wet” processing solutions (developer, fixing, wash) or “dry” photosensitive thermally- developable materials (also known as photothermographic materials) that are processed in a “dry” state using thermal energy.
• Each type of radiographic material is described in more detail below.
• Each usually includes a flexible support having disposed on both sides thereof, one or more photosensitive silver halide-containing emulsion layers and optionally one or more non- photosensitive layer(s).
• the imaging emulsions in the various layers can be the same or different and can comprise mixtures of various silver halides and other components.
• the support of the radiographic materials can take the form of any conventional radiographic film support that is light transmissive.
• Useful supports for the films of this invention can be chosen from among those described in Research Disclosure, September 1996, Item 38957 (Section XV Supports) and Research Disclosure, Vol. 184, August 1979, Item 18431 (Section XII. Film Supports) and preferably include various polycarbonates and polyesters [such as poly(ethylene terephthalate)].
• the support is preferably a transparent film support. In its simplest possible form the transparent film support consists of a transparent film chosen to allow direct adhesion of the imaging or other layers disposed thereon.
• the imaging and other layers are "hydrophilic" in nature and include various hydrophilic binder materials that are well known in the art. More commonly, the transparent film is itself hydrophobic and subbing layers may be coated thereon to facilitate adhesion of the hydrophilic imaging layers. Typically the film support is either colorless or blue tinted (tinting dye being present in one or both of the support film and the subbing layers).
• the film support is either colorless or blue tinted (tinting dye being present in one or both of the support film and the subbing layers).
• At least one non-photosensitive layer is included with the one or more imaging layers on each side of the film support.
• This layer may be called an interlayer or overcoat, or both. It is also preferred that the radiographic materials be duplitized (that is coated with one or more imaging layers on each side of the support).
• Useful radiographic materials can comprise silver halide grains that have any desirable mo ⁇ hology including, but not limited to, cubic, octahedral, tetradecahedral, rounded, spherical, tabular, or other mo ⁇ hologies, or be comprised of a mixture of two or more of such mo ⁇ hologies.
• the "frontside" of the support comprises one or more silver halide emulsion layers, one of which contains predominantly tabular grains (that is, more than 50 weight % of all grains).
• the tabular silver halide grains particularly include predominantly (at least 70 mol %) bromide, and preferably at least 90 mol % bromide, based on total silver in the emulsion layer. In addition, these tabular grains can have up to 5 mol % iodide, based on total silver in the emulsion layer.
• the tabular silver halide grains in each silver halide emulsion unit (or silver halide emulsion layers) can be the same or different, or mixtures of different types of tabular grains.
• the tabular grains can have an aspect ratio of 10 or more, and preferably from 15 to 45.
• the emulsions used in the radiographic materials can be doped with any of conventional dopants to increase the contrast.
• the backside of the support can also include one or more silver halide emulsion layers, preferably at least one of which comprises tabular silver halide grains. Generally, at least 50% (and preferably at least 70%) of the silver halide grain projected area in this silver halide emulsion layer is provided by tabular grains having an average aspect ratio greater than 5, and more preferably greater than 10. The remainder of the silver halide projected area is provided by silver halide grains having one or more non-tabular mo ⁇ hologies.
• the tabular grains are predominantly (at least 90 mol %) bromide based on the total silver in the emulsion layer and can include up to 5 mol % iodide.
• the tabular grains are pure silver bromide.
• Patents 4,414,310 (Dickerson), 4,425,425 (Abbott et al.), 4,425,426 (Abbott et al.), 4,439,520 (Kofron et al.), 4,434,226 (Wilgus et al.), 4,435,501 (Maskasky), 4,713,320 (Maskasky), 4,803,150 (Dickerson et al.), 4,900,355 (Dickerson et al.), 4,994,355 (Dickerson et al.), 4,997,750 (Dickerson et al.), 5,021,327 (Bunch et al.), 5,147,771 (Tsaur et al.), 5,147,772 (Tsaur et al.), 5,147,773 (Tsaur et al.), 5,171,659 (Tsaur et al.), 5,252,442 (Dickerson et al.), 5,370,977 (Zie
• the backside ("second major support surface") of the radiographic materials can also include an antihalation layer disposed over the silver halide emulsion layer(s).
• This layer comprises one or more antihalation dyes or pigments dispersed on a suitable hydrophilic binder (described below).
• antihalation dyes or pigments are chosen to absorb whatever radiation the film is likely to be exposed to from a fluorescent intensifying screen.
• pigments and dyes that can be used as antihalation pigments or dyes include various water-soluble, liquid crystalline, or particulate magenta or yellow filter dyes or pigments including those described for example in U.S.
• Patents 4,803,150 (Dickerson et al.), 5,213,956 (Diehl et al.), 5,399,690 (Diehl et al.), 5,922,523 (Helber et al.), and 6,214,499 (Helber et al.), and Japanese Kokai 2- 123349, all of which are cited herein for pigments and dyes useful in the practice of this invention.
• One useful class of particulate antihalation dyes includes nonionic polymethine dyes such as merocyanine, oxonol, hemioxonol, styryl, and arylidene dyes as described in U.S.
• Patent 4,803,150 (noted above) that is cited herein for the definitions of those dyes.
• the magenta merocyanine and oxonol dyes are preferred and the oxonol dyes are most preferred.
• a general summary of silver halide emulsions and their preparation is provided by Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section I. Emulsion grains and their preparation). After precipitation and before chemical sensitization the emulsions can be washed by any convenient conventional technique using techniques disclosed by Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section III. Emulsion washing). The emulsions can be chemically sensitized by any convenient conventional technique as illustrated by Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section TV. Chemical Sensitization).
• Sulfur, selenium or gold sensitization (or any combination thereof) is specifically contemplated.
• Sulfur sensitization is preferred, and can be carried out using for example, thiosulfates, thiosulfonates, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, thioethers, thioureas, cysteine or rhodanine.
• a combination of gold and sulfur sensitization is most preferred.
• the silver halide emulsions can include one or more suitable spectral sensitizing dyes, for example cyanine and merocyanine spectral sensitizing dyes, including the benzimidazolocarbocyanine dyes described in U.S.
• Patent 5,210,014 (Anderson et al.).
• the useful amounts of such dyes are well known in the art but are generally within the range of from 200 to 1000 mg/mole of silver in the emulsion layer.
• at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers comprises a combination of one or more first spectral sensitizing dyes and one or more second spectral sensitizing dyes that provide a combined J-aggregate abso ⁇ tion within the range of from 540 to 560 nm (preferably from 545 to 555 nm) when absorbed on the cubic silver halide grains.
• the one or more first spectral sensitizing dyes are anionic benzimidazole-benzoxazole carbocyanines and the one or more second spectral sensitizing dyes are anionic oxycarbocyanines.
• Instability that increases minimum density in negative-type emulsion coatings (that is fog) can be protected against by inco ⁇ oration of stabilizers, antifoggants, antikinking agents, latent-image stabilizers and similar addenda in the emulsion and contiguous layers prior to coating.
• Such addenda are illustrated by Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section VII.
• one or more silver halide emulsion layers include one or more covering power enhancing compounds adsorbed to surfaces of the silver halide grains.
• Such compounds include, but are not limited to, 5-mercapotetrazoles, dithioxotriazoles, mercapto-substituted tetraazaindenes, and others described in U.S.
• Patent 5,800,976 (Dickerson et al.) that is cited herein for the teaching of the sulfur- containing covering power enhancing compounds.
• the silver halide emulsion layers and other hydrophilic layers on both sides of the support of the radiographic materials generally contain conventional polymer vehicles (peptizers and binders) that include both synthetically prepared and naturally occurring colloids or polymers.
• the most preferred polymer vehicles include gelatin or gelatin derivatives alone or in combination with other vehicles.
• Conventional gelatino-vehicles and related layer features are disclosed in Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section II. Vehicles, vehicle extenders, vehicle-like addenda and vehicle related addenda).
• the emulsions themselves can contain peptizers of the type set out in Section II, paragraph A. Gelatin and hydrophilic colloid peptizers.
• the hydrophilic colloid peptizers are also useful as binders and hence are commonly present in much higher concentrations than required to perform the peptizing function alone.
• the preferred gelatin vehicles include alkali-treated gelatin, acid-treated gelatin or gelatin derivatives (such as acetylated gelatin, deionized gelatin, oxidized gelatin and phthalated gelatin).
• Cationic starch used as a peptizer for tabular grains is described in U.S. Patent 5,620,840 (Maskasky) and U.S. Patent 5,667,955
• hydrophobic and hydrophilic synthetic polymeric vehicles can be used also.
• materials include, but are not limited to, polyacrylates (including polymethacrylates), polystyrenes, polyacrylamides (including polymethacrylamides), dextrans as described in U.S. Patent 5,876,913 (Dickerson et al.).
• the silver halide emulsion layers (and other hydrophilic layers) in the radiographic films are generally fully hardened using one or more conventional hardeners.
• the amount of hardener in each silver halide emulsion and other hydrophilic layer is generally at least 1% and preferably at least 2%, based on the total dry weight of the polymer vehicle in each layer.
• the levels of silver and polymer vehicle in the radiographic materials used in the present invention are not critical. In general, the total amount of silver on each side of each film is at least 10 and no more than 55 mg/dm 2 in one or more emulsion layers. In addition, the total amount of polymer vehicle on each side of each film is generally at least 30 and no more than 45 mg/dm in one or more hydrophilic layers.
• the amounts of silver and polymer vehicle on the opposing sides of the support in the radiographic silver halide film can be the same or different. These amounts refer to dry weights.
• the "wet" radiographic materials useful in this invention generally include a surface protective overcoat on each side of the support that typically provides physical protection of the emulsion layers.
• Each protective overcoat can be sub-divided into two or more individual layers.
• protective overcoats can be sub-divided into surface overcoats and interlayers (between the overcoat and silver halide emulsion layers).
• the protective overcoats can contain various addenda to modify the physical properties of the overcoats. Such addenda are illustrated by Research Disclosure, Item 38957 (Section IX. Coating physical property modifying addenda, A. Coating aids, B. Plasticizers and lubricants, C. Antistats, and D. Matting agents).
• Interlayers that are typically thin hydrophilic colloid layers can be used to provide a separation between the emulsion layers and the surface overcoats.
• the overcoat on at least one side of the support can also include a blue toning dye.
• the protective overcoat is generally comprised of one or more hydrophilic colloid vehicles, chosen from among the same types disclosed above in connection with the emulsion layers.
• Protective overcoats are provided to perform two basic functions. They provide a layer between the emulsion layers and the surface of the film for physical protection of the emulsion layer during handling and processing. Secondly, they provide a convenient location for the placement of addenda, particularly those addenda that are intended to modify the physical properties of the radiographic film.
• the protective overcoats of the films of this invention can perform both these basic functions.
• the various coated layers of radiographic materials used in this invention can also contain tinting dyes to modify the image tone to transmitted or reflected light.
• “Dry” Radiographic Materials Silver-containing photothermographic materials that are developed with heat and without liquid development have been known in the art for many years. Such materials are used in a recording process wherein an image is formed by imagewise exposure of the photothermographic material to specific electromagnetic radiation (for example, visible, ultraviolet, or infrared radiation) and developed by the use of thermal energy.
• specific electromagnetic radiation for example, visible, ultraviolet, or infrared radiation
• dry silver materials generally comprise a support having coated thereon: (a) a photo catalyst (that is, a photosensitive compound such as silver halide) that upon such exposure provides a latent image in exposed grains that are capable of acting as a catalyst for the subsequent formation of a silver image in a development step, (b) a non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions, (c) a reducing composition (usually including a developer) for the reducible silver ions, and (d) a hydrophilic or hydrophobic binder.
• the latent image is then developed by application of thermal energy.
• the photothermographic materials used in this invention can be sensitized to different regions of the spectrum, such as ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.
• the photosensitive silver halide used in these materials has intrinsic sensitivity to blue light. Increased sensitivity to a particular region of the spectrum is imparted through the use of various sensitizing dyes adsorbed to the silver halide grains.
• the components needed for imaging can be in one or more thermally developable layers.
• the layer(s) that contain the photosensitive silver halide or non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions, or both, are referred to herein as thermally developable layers or photothermographic emulsion layer(s).
• the photosensitive silver halide and the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions are in catalytic proximity (that is, in reactive association with each other) and preferably are in the same emulsion layer.
• Catalytic proximity or “reactive association” means that they should be in the same layer or in adjacent layers.
• various non-imaging layers are usually disposed on the "backside” (non-emulsion side) of the materials, including antihalation layer(s), protective layers, antistatic or conductive layers, and transport enabling layers.
• variou I s layers are also usually disposed on the
• frontside or emulsion side of the support including protective topcoat layers, barrier layers, primer layers, interlayers, opacifying layers, antistatic or conductive layers, antihalation layers, acutance layers, auxiliary layers, and others readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• each side can also include one or more protective topcoat layers, primer layers, interlayers, antistatic layers, acutance layers, auxiliary layers, anti-crossover layers, and other layers readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• Photocatalyst means a photosensitive compound such as silver halide that, upon exposure to radiation, provides a compound that is capable of acting as a catalyst for the subsequent development of the image-forming material.
• Catalytic proximity or “reactive association” means that the materials are in the same layer or in adjacent layers so that they readily come into contact with each other during thermal imaging and development.
• Emsion layer means a layer of a photothermographic material that contains the photosensitive silver halide and/or non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions.
• the photothermographic material can also mean a layer of the photothermographic material that contains, in addition to the photosensitive silver halide and/or non-photosensitive source of reducible ions, additional essential components and/or desirable additives (such as the toner).
• These layers are usually on what is known as the "frontside” of the support, but in some embodiments, they are present on both sides of the support (such embodiments are known as "double-sided" photothermographic materials). In such double-sided materials the layers can be of the same or different chemical composition, thickness, or sensitometric properties.
• the photothermographic materials used in the present invention include one or more photocatalysts in the photothermographic emulsion layer(s).
• Useful photocatalysts are typically silver halides such as silver bromide, silver iodide, silver chloride, silver bromoiodide, silver chlorobromo- iodide, silver chlorobromide, and others readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Mixtures of silver halides can also be used in any suitable proportion.
• the silver halide comprises at least 70 mol% silver bromide with the remainder being silver chloride and silver iodide. More preferably, the amount of silver bromide is at least 90 mol%.
• Silver bromide and silver bromoiodide are more preferred silver halides, with the latter silver halide having up to 10 mol% silver iodide based on total silver halide.
• the shape of the photosensitive silver halide grains used in the present invention is in no way limited.
• the silver halide grains may have any crystalline habit including, but not limited to, cubic, octahedral, tetrahedral, orthorhombic, rhombic, dodecahedral, other polyhedral, tabular, laminar, twinned, or platelet mo ⁇ hologies and may have epitaxial growth of crystals thereon. If desired, a mixture of these crystals can be employed.
• Silver halide grains having cubic and tabular mo ⁇ hology are preferred.
• the silver halide grains may have a uniform ratio of halide throughout. They may have a graded halide content, with a continuously varying ratio of, for example, silver bromide and silver iodide or they may be of the core-shell type, having a discrete core of one halide ratio, and a discrete shell of another halide ratio.
• the central regions of the tabular grains may contain at least 1 mol% more iodide than the outer or annular regions of the grains.
• Core-shell silver halide grains useful in photothermographic materials and methods of preparing these materials are described for example in U.S. Patent 5,382,504 (Shor et al.).
• Iridium and/or copper doped core-shell and non-core- shell grains are described in U.S. Patents 5,434,043 (Zou et al.) and 5,939,249 • (Zou). Mixtures of preformed silver halide grains having different compositions or dopants grains may be employed.
• the photosensitive silver halide can be added to or formed within the emulsion layer(s) in any fashion as long as it is placed in catalytic proximity to the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions.
• the use of preformed silver halide grains is most prefened.
• the silver halide grains used in the imaging formulations can vary in average diameter of up to several micrometers ( ⁇ m) depending on their desired use.
• the silver halide grains have an average particle size of from 0.01 to 1.5 ⁇ m.
• the average particle size is preferable from 0.03 to 1.0 ⁇ m, and more preferably from 0.05 to O.8 ⁇ m.
• Grain size may be determined by any of the methods commonly employed in the art for particle size measurement. Representative methods are described by in "Particle Size Analysis,” ASTM Symposium on Light Microscopy, R. P. Loveland, 1955, pp. 94-122, and in C. E. K. Mees and T. H. James, The Theory of the Photographic Process, Third Edition, Macmillan, New York, 1966, Chapter 2. Particle size measurements may be expressed in terms of the projected areas of grains or approximations of their diameters.
• the silver halide grains are tabular silver halide grains that are considered "ultrathin" and have an average thickness of at least 0.02 ⁇ m and up to and including 0.10 ⁇ m.
• these ultrathin grains have an average thickness of at least 0.03 ⁇ m and more preferably of at least 0.035 ⁇ m, and up to and including 0.08 ⁇ m and more preferably up to and including 0.07 ⁇ m.
• these ultrathin tabular grains have an ECD of at least 0.5 ⁇ m, preferably at least 0.75 ⁇ m, and more preferably at least 1 ⁇ m.
• the ECD can be up to and including 8 ⁇ m, preferably up to and including 6 ⁇ m, and more preferably up to and including 5 ⁇ m.
• the aspect ratio of the useful tabular grains is at least 5:1, preferably at least 10:1, and more preferably at least 15:1.
• the tabular grain aspect is generally up to 50: 1.
• Ultrathin tabular grain size may be determined by any of the methods commonly employed in the art for particle size measurement. Representative methods are described, for example, in "Particle Size Analysis," ASTM Symposium on Light Microscopy, R. P. Loveland, 1955, pp. 94-122, and in C. E. K. Mees and T. H.
• the ultrathin tabular silver halide grains can also be doped using one or more of the conventional metal dopants known for this pu ⁇ ose including those described in Research Disclosure Item 38957, September, 1996 and U.S. Patent 5,503,970 (Olm et al.).
• Preferred dopants include iridiurn (III or IV) and ruthenium (II or III) salts.
• the one or more light-sensitive silver halides used in the photo- thermographic materials of the present invention are preferably present in an amount of from 0.005 to 0.5 mole, more preferably from 0.01 to 0.25 mole, and most preferably from 0.03 to 0.15 mole, per mole of non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions.
• the photosensitive silver halide used in the present invention may be employed without modification. However, it may be chemically sensitized with one or more chemical sensitizing agents such as compounds containing sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, a compound containing gold, platinum, palladium, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, or iridiurn, a reducing agent such as a tin halide.
• Rapid "sulf ⁇ ding" agents are also useful in the present invention. Such compounds are described, for example in U.S. Patents 6,296,998 (Eikenberry et al.), 6,322,961 (Lam et al.), and 6,576,410 (Zou et al.). Selenium sensitization is performed by adding a selenium compound and stirring the emulsion at a temperature at least 40°C for a predetermined time.
• selenium sensitizers examples include colloidal selenium, selenoureas (for example, N,N-dimethylselenourea, trifluoromethyl- carbonyl-trimethylselenourea and acetyl-trimethylselenourea), selenoa ides (for example, selenoacetamide and N,N-diethylphenylselenoamide), phosphine selenides (for example, mphenylphosphine selenide and pentafluorophenyl- triphenylphosphine selenide, and methylene-bis[diphenyl-phosphine selenide), selenophosphates (for example, tri- -tolyl-selenophosphate and tri- «-butyl seleno phosphate), selenoketones (for example, selenobenzophenone), isoselenocyanates, selenocarboxylic acids, seleno
• selenium compounds such as selenious acid, potassium selenocyanate, selenazoles and selenides can also be used as selenium sensitizers.
• Some specific examples of useful selenium compounds can be found in U.S. Patents 5,158,892 (Sasaki et al.), 5,238,807 (Sasaki et al.), and 5,942,384 (Arai et al.).
• Tellurium sensitizers for use in the present invention are compounds capable of producing silver telluride, which is presumed to serve as a sensitization nucleus on the surface or inside of silver halide grain.
• tellurium sensitizers include telluroureas (for example, tetramethyltellurourea, N,N-dimethylethylene-tellurourea and N,N'-diphenylethylenetellurourea), phosphine tellurides (for example, butyl-diisopropylphosphine telluride, tributyl- phosphine telluride, tributoxyphosphine telluride and ethoxy-diphenylphosphine telluride), diacyl ditellurides and diacyl tellurides [for example, bis(diphenyl- carbamoyl ditelluride, bis(N-phenyl-N-methylcarbamoyl) ditelluride, bis(N-phenyl-N-methylcarbamoyl) telluride and bis(ethoxycarbonyl telluride)], isotellurocyanates, telluroamides, tellurohydrazides, telluroesters (
• the amount of the selenium or tellurium sensitizer used in the present invention varies depending on silver halide grains used or chemical ripening conditions. However, it is generally from 10 "8 to 10 "2 mole per mole of silver halide, preferably on the order of from 10 "7 to 10 "3 mole.
• the conditions for chemical sensitization in the present invention are not particularly restricted. However, in general, pH is from 5 to 8, pAg is from 6 to 11, preferably from 7 to 10, and temperature is from 40 to 95°C, preferably from 45 to 85°C.
• Noble metal sensitizers for use in the present invention include gold, platinum, palladium and iridiurn. Gold sensitization is particularly preferred.
• the gold sensitizer used for the gold sensitization of the silver halide emulsion used in the present invention may have an oxidation number of 1 or 3, and may be a gold compound commonly used as a gold sensitizer. Examples thereof include chloroauric acid, potassium chloroaurate, auric trichloride, potassium dithiocyanatoaurate, [AuS 2 P( -C 4 H 9 ) 2 ]2, bis-(l ,4,5-trimethyl-
• Patent 6,423,481 (Simpson et al.).
• spectral sensitizing dyes to enhance silver halide sensitivity to ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared radiation.
• the photosensitive silver halides may be spectrally sensitized with various dyes that are known to spectrally sensitize silver halide.
• sensitizing dyes include cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, complex cyanine dyes, complex merocyanine dyes, holopolar cyanine dyes, hemicyanine dyes, styryl dyes, and hemioxanol dyes.
• Cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes and complex merocyanine dyes are particularly useful. Suitable sensitizing dyes such as those described in U.S. Patents 3,719,495 (Lea), 4,396,712 (Kinoshita et al.), 4,690,883 (Kubodera et al.), 4,840,882 (Iwagaki et al.), 5,064,753 (Kohno et al.), 5,281,515 (Delprato et al.), 5,393,654 (Burrows et al), 5,441 ,866 (Miller et al.), 5,508,162 (Dankosh),
• Patents 4,581,329 (Sugimoto et al.), 4,582,786 (Ikeda et al.), 4,609,621 (Sugimoto et al.), 4,675,279 (Shuto et al.), 4,678,741 (Ya ada et al.), 4,720,451 (Shuto et al.), 4,818,675 (Miyasaka et al.), 4,945,036 (Arai et al.), and 4,952,491 (Nishikawa et al.). Additional classes of dyes useful for spectral sensitization, including sensitization at other wavelengths are described in Research Disclosure, 1994, Item 36544, section V.
• Spectral sensitizing dyes are chosen for optimum photosensitivity, stability, and synthetic ease. They may be added before, after, or during the chemical finishing of the photothermographic emulsion.
• One useful spectral sensitizing dye for the photothermographic materials of this invention is anhydro- 5-chloro-3,3'-di-(3-sulfopropyl)naphtho[l,2-d]tlnazolothiacyanine hydroxide, triethylammonium salt.
• An appropriate amount of spectral sensitizing dye added is generally 10 "10 to 10 "1 mole, and preferably, 10 "7 to 10 "2 mole per mole of silver halide.
• the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions used in photothermographic materials can be any organic compound that contains reducible silver (1+) ions.
• it is an organic silver salt that is comparatively stable to light and forms a silver image when heated to 50°C or higher in the presence of an exposed photocatalyst (such as silver halide) and a reducing composition.
• Silver carboxylates can be used as well as any of the many known organic silver salts.
• a silver salt of a compound containing an imino group is particularly preferred in the aqueous-based photothermographic formulations used in the practice of this invention.
• Preferred examples of these compounds include, but are not limited to, silver salts of benzotriazole and substituted derivatives thereof (for example, silver methylbenzotriazole and silver 5-chloro benzotriazole), silver salts of 1,2,4-triazoles or 1 -H-tetrazoles such as phenyl- mercaptotetrazole as described in U.S. Patent 4,220,709 (deMauriac), and silver salts of imidazoles and imidazole derivatives as described in U.S. Patent 4,260,677 (Winslow et al.). Particularly preferred are the silver salts of benzo- triazole and substituted derivatives thereof. A silver salt of benzotriazole is most preferred.
• the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions can include various mixtures of the various silver salt compounds described herein, in any desirable proportions. However, if mixtures of silver salts are used, it is preferred that at least 50 mol% of the total silver salts be composed of silver salts of compounds containing an imino group as defined above.
• the photocatalyst and the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions must be in catalytic proximity (that is, reactive association). It is preferred that these reactive components be present in the same emulsion layer.
• the one or more non-photosensitive sources of reducible silver ions are preferably present in an amount of 5% by weight to 70% by weight, and more preferably, 10% to 50% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the emulsion layers.
• the amount of the sources of reducible silver ions is generally present in an amount of from 0.001 to 0.2 mol/m of the dry photothermographic material, and preferably from 0.01 to 0.05 mol/m 2 of that material.
• the total amount of silver (from all silver sources) in the photothermographic materials is generally at least 0.002 mol/m 2 and preferably from 0.01 to 0.05 mol/m 2 .
• the reducing agent (or reducing agent composition comprising two or more components) for the source of reducible silver ions can be any material, preferably an organic material that can reduce silver (I) ion to metallic silver.
• Conventional photographic developers can be used as reducing agents, including aromatic di- and tri-hydroxy compounds (such as hydroquinones, gallatic acid and gallic acid derivatives, catechols, and pyrogallols), aminophenols (for example, N-methylaminophenol), sulfonamidophenols, 7-phenylenediamines, alkoxynaphthols (for example, 4-methoxy-l-naphthol), pyrazolidin-3-one type reducing agents (for example PHENIDONE , pyrazolin-5-ones, polyhydroxy spiro-bis-indanes, indan-l,3-dione derivatives, hydroxytetrone acids, hydroxytetronimides, hydroxylamine derivatives such as for example those described in
• Patent 4,082,901 (Laridon et al.), hydrazine derivatives, hindered phenols, amidoximes, azines, reductones (for example, ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives), leuco dyes, and other materials readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• ascorbic acid reducing agents are preferred.
• An "ascorbic acid” reducing agent (also referred to as a developer or developing agent) means ascorbic acid, complexes thereof, and derivatives thereof.
• Ascorbic acid developing agents are described in a considerable number of publications in photographic processes, including U.S. Patent 5,236,816 (Purol et al.) and references cited therein.
• Useful ascorbic acid developing agents include ascorbic acid and the analogues, isomers, complexes, and derivatives thereof.
• Such compounds include, but are not limited to, D- or L-ascorbic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- 2-cyclohexen-l -one, 3,4-dihydroxy-5-phenyl-2(5H)-furanone, sugar-type derivatives thereof (such as sorboascorbic acid, ⁇ -lactoascorbic acid, 6-desoxy- L-ascorbic acid, L-rhamnoascorbic acid, imino-6-desoxy-L-ascorbic acid, glucoascorbic acid, fucoascorbic acid, glucoheptoascorbic acid, maltoascorbic acid, L-arabosascorbic acid), sodium ascorbate, niacinamide ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, isoascorbic acid (or L-erythroascorbic acid
• Patent 5,498,511 (Yamashita et al.), EP 0 585,792A1 (Passarella et al.), EP 0 573 700A1 (Lingier et al.), EP 0 588 408A1 (Hieronymus et al.), U.S. Patents 5,089,819 (Knapp), 5,278,035 (Knapp), 5,384,232 (Bishop et al.), 5,376,510 (Parker et al.), and 2,688,549 (James et al.), Japanese Kokai 7-56286 (Toyoda), and Research Disclosure, publication 37152, March 1995.
• the reducing agent composition comprises two or more components such as a hindered phenol developer and a co-developer that can be chosen from the various classes of reducing agents described below. Ternary developer mixtures involving the further addition of contrast enhancing agents are also useful. Such contrast enhancing agents can be chosen from the various classes of reducing agents described below.
• the reducing agent (or mixture thereof) described herein is generally present as 1 to 10% (dry weight) of the emulsion layer. In multilayer constructions, if the reducing agent is added to a layer other than an emulsion layer, slightly higher proportions, of from 2 to 15 weight % may be more desirable. Any co-developers may be present generally in an amount of from 0.001 % to 1.5% (dry weight) of the emulsion layer coating.
• the photothermographic materials of the invention can also contain other additives such as shelf-life stabilizers, antifoggants, contrast enhancing agents, development accelerators, acutance dyes, post-processing stabilizers or stabilizer precursors, toners, thermal solvents (also known as melt formers), humectants, and other image-modifying agents as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• Particularly useful toners are mercaptotriazoles are described in U.S. Patent 6,567,410 (noted above). Other toners can be used alternatively or included with the one or more mercaptotriazoles described above. Such compounds are well known materials in the photothermographic art, as shown in U.S.
• Patents 3,080,254 (Grant, Jr.), 3,847,612 (Winslow), 4,123,282 (Winslow), 4,082,901 (Laridon et al.), 3,074,809 (Owen), 3,446,648 (Workman), 3,844,797 (Wille s et al.), 3,951,660 (Hagemann et al.), and 5,599,647 (Defieuw et al.) and GB 1,439,478 (AGFA).
• the photocatalyst (such as photosensitive silver halide), the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions, the reducing agent composition, toner(s), and any other additives used in the present invention are added to and coated in one or more binders, and particularly hydrophilic binders.
• binders such as photosensitive silver halide
• hydrophilic binders are be used to prepare the photothermographic materials of this invention. Mixtures of different types of hydrophilic binders can also be used.
• hydrophilic binders include, but are not limited to, proteins and protein derivatives, gelatin and gelatin derivatives (hardened or unhardened, including alkali- and acid-treated gelatins, and deionized gelatin), cellulosic materials such as hydroxymethyl cellulose and cellulosic esters, acrylamide/methacrylamide polymers, acrylic/methacrylic polymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyvinyl alcohols, poly(vinyl lactams), polymers of sulfoalkyl acrylate or methacrylates, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyamides, polysaccharides (such as dextrans and starch ethers), and other naturally occurring or synthetic vehicles commonly known for use in aqueous-based photographic emulsions (see for example Research Disclosure, Item 38957, noted above).
• Cationic starches can also be used as peptizers for emulsions containing tabular grain silver halides as described in U.S. Patents 5,620,840 (Maskasky) and 5,667,955 (Maskasky).
• Particularly useful hydrophilic binders are gelatin, gelatin derivatives, polyvinyl alcohols, and cellulosic materials. Gelatin and its derivatives are most preferred, and comprise at least 75 weight % of total binders when a mixture of binders is used.
• Hydrophobic binders can be used, but preferably, they are present as no more than 50% by weight of total binders.
• hydrophobic binders include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyolefins, polyesters, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonates, methacrylate copolymers, maleic anhydride ester copolymers, butadiene-styrene copolymers, and other materials readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Copolymers (including te ⁇ olymers) are also included in the definition of polymers.
• polyvinyl acetals such as polyvinyl butyral and polyvinyl formal
• vinyl copolymers such as polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride
• Particularly suitable binders are polyvinyl butyral resins that are available as BUTVAR ® B79 (Solutia, Inc.) and PIOLOFORM ® BS-18 or PIOLOFORM ® BL-16 (Wacker Chemical Company).
• Aqueous dispersions (or latexes) of hydrophobic binders may also be used.
• Hardeners for various binders may be present if desired. Useful hardeners are well known and include vinyl sulfone compounds as described in U.S.
• Patent 6,143,487 Philip et al.
• aldehydes and various other hardeners as described in U.S. Patent 6,190,822 (Dickerson et al.).
• the hydrophilic binders used in the photothermographic materials are generally partially or fully hardened using any conventional hardener.
• Useful hardeners are well known and are described, for example, in T. H. James, The Theory of the Photographic Process, Fourth Edition, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY, 1977, Chapter 2, pp. 77-8.
• the polymer binder(s) is used in an amount sufficient to carry the components dispersed therein.
• the effective coverage of binders can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.
• a binder is used at a level of 10% by weight to 90% by weight, and more preferably at a level of 20% by weight to 70% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the layer in which it is included.
• the amount of binders in double-sided photothermographic materials may be the same or different.
• the photothermographic materials used in this invention comprise a polymeric support that is preferably a flexible, transparent film that has any desired thickness and is composed of one or more polymeric materials, depending upon their use.
• the supports are generally transparent (especially if the material is used as a photomask) or at least translucent, but in some instances, opaque supports may be useful. They are required to exhibit dimensional stability during thermal development and to have suitable adhesive properties with overlying layers.
• Useful polymeric materials for making such supports include, but are not limited to, polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate), cellulose acetate and other cellulose esters, polyvinyl acetal, polyolefins (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), polycarbonates, and polystyrenes (and polymers of styrene derivatives).
• Preferred supports are composed of polymers having good heat stability, such as polyesters and polycarbonates. Support materials may also be treated or annealed to reduce shrinkage and promote dimensional stability.
• Polyethylene terephthalate film is a particularly preferred support.
• Various support materials are described, for example, in Research Disclosure, August 1979, item 18431.
• Support materials can contain various colorants, pigments, antihalation or acutance dyes if desired.
• Support materials may be treated using conventional procedures (such as corona discharge) to improve adhesion of overlying layers, or subbing or other adhesion-promoting layers can be used.
• Useful subbing layer formulations include those conventionally used for photographic materials such as vinylidene halide polymers.
• the photothermographic materials can include antistatic or conducting layers. Such layers may contain soluble salts (for example, chlorides or nitrates), evaporated metal layers, or ionic polymers such as those described in U.S.
• Other antistatic agents are well known in the art.
• the photothermographic materials can be constructed of one or more layers on a support.
• Single layer materials should contain the photocatalyst, the non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions, the reducing composition, the binder, as well as optional materials such as toners, acutance dyes, coating aids, and other adjuvants.
• Two-layer constructions comprising a single imaging layer coating containing all the ingredients and a surface protective topcoat are generally found in the materials of this invention.
• two-layer constructions containing photocatalyst and non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions in one imaging layer (usually the layer adjacent to the support) and the reducing composition and other ingredients in the second imaging layer or distributed between both layers are also envisioned.
• each side of the support can include one or more of the same or different imaging layers, interlayers, and protective topcoat layers.
• a topcoat is present as the outermost layer on both sides of the support.
• the thermally developable layers on opposite sides can have the same or different construction and can be overcoated with the same or different protective layers.
• the photothermographic materials used in this invention include thermally developable imaging (or emulsion) layers on both sides of the support and at least one infrared radiation absorbing heat- bleachable composition in an antihalation underlayer beneath layers on one or both sides of the support.
• the radiographic imaging assemblies of the present invention are composed of a radiographic material (wet or dry) as described herein and one or more phosphor screens of the present invention, arranged in such a manner that exposing X-radiation is directed through a patient and at least one of the screens to cause the emission of radiation that exposes the radiographic material.
• Exposure and processing of the "wet" radiographic materials used in the practice of this invention can be undertaken in any convenient conventional manner.
• the exposure and processing techniques of U.S. Patents 5,021,327 and 5,576,156 are typical for processing radiographic films.
• Other processing compositions are described in U.S. Patents 5,738,979 (Fitter an et al.), 5,866,309 (Fitterman et al.), 5,871,890 (Fitterman et al.), 5,935,770 (Fitterman et al.), and 5,942,378 (Fitterman et al.).
• the processing compositions can be supplied as single- or multi-part formulations, and in concentrated form or as more diluted working strength solutions. It is particularly desirable that the "wet" radiographic silver halide films be processed within 90 seconds ("dry-to-dry") and preferably within 45 seconds and at least 20 seconds, for the developing, fixing and any washing (or rinsing) steps. Such processing can be carried out in any suitable processing equipment including but not limited to, a Kodak X-OMAT ® RA 480 processor that can utilize Kodak Rapid Access processing chemistry. Other "rapid access processors" are described for example in U.S. Patent 3,545,971 (Barnes et al.) and EP 0248,390A1 (Akio et al.).
• the black-and-white developing compositions used during processing are free of any gelatin hardeners, such as glutaraldehyde.
• "Dry" photothermographic materials useful in the present invention can be imaged in any suitable manner consistent with the type of material using any suitable imaging source (typically some type of radiation or electronic signal) to which they are sensitive.
• the materials can be made sensitive to X-radiation or radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, the visible region of the spectrum, or the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, depending upon the spectral sensitizing dyes used.
• the photothermographic materials are sensitive to radiation of from 300 to 750 nm and more preferably from 300 to 450 nm.
• the photothermographic materials are sensitive to radiation of from 750 to 1150 nm.
• Useful X-radiation imaging sources include general medical, mammographic, dental, industrial X-ray units, and other X-radiation generating equipment known to one skilled in the art. Exposure to visible light can be achieved using conventional spectrophotometers, xenon or tungsten flash lamps, or other incandescent light sources. Exposure to infrared radiation can be achieved using any source of infrared radiation, including an infrared laser, an infrared laser diode, an infrared light-emitting diode, an infrared lamp, or any other infrared radiation source readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and others described in the art.
• Thermal development conditions will vary, depending on the construction used but will typically involve heating the imagewise exposed material at a suitably elevated temperature.
• the latent image can be developed by heating the exposed material at a moderately elevated temperature of, for example, from 50°C to 250°C (preferably from 80°C to 200°C and more preferably from 100°C to 200°C) for a sufficient period of time, generally from 1 to 120 seconds. Heating can be accomplished using any suitable heating means such as a hot plate, a steam iron, a hot roller or a heating bath. The following examples are presented for illustration and the invention is not to be inte ⁇ reted as limited thereby.
• Example 1 Phosphor Screen Containing Reflective Substrate A three-layered support comprising a microvoided polyester layer formed in the middle of two barium sulfate-containing reflective substrates was prepared in the following manner.
• the dry blended resin for the middle microvoided polyester layer and the compounded resin for the upper and lower layers were dried at 65°C and fed by two plasticating screw extruders into a co-extrusion die manifold to produce a three-layered melt stream that was rapidly quenched on a chill roll after exiting from the die.
• the rate of extrusion it was possible to adjust the thickness ratio of the three layers in the cast laminate sheet.
• the thickness ratio of the three layers was adjusted at 1 :2.T with the thickness of the two outside layers being approximately 300 ⁇ m.
• the cast three-layer sheet was first oriented in the machine direction by stretching at a ratio of 3.3 and a temperature of 110°C.
• the oriented three-layer support was then stretched in the transverse direction in a tenter frame at a ratio of 3.3 and a temperature of 100°C. In this example, no heat setting treatment was applied.
• the final total film thickness was 200 ⁇ m with the top and bottom layers being 50 ⁇ m each, and the layers within the support were fully integrated and strongly bonded.
• the stretching of the heterogeneous top and bottom layers created convex microvoids around the hard BaSO 4 particles, thus rendering the reflective substrates opaque (white) and highly reflective.
• the middle polyester layer also had convex microvoids. These voids however were 10 to 20 times larger in all three dimensions than the microvoids in the upper and lower reflective substrates.
• a dispersion was prepared employing a green-emitting, terbium- doped gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor with a mean particle size of 6.8 ⁇ in the amount of 100 g of the phosphor in a solution prepared from 117 g of polyurethane binder (trademark Permuthane U-6366) at 10 % (by weight) in a 93:7 volume ratio of dichloromethane and methanol.
• the resulting dispersion was coated at a phosphor coverage of 663 g/m 2 on Support 1 A (Invention) and 675 g/m 2 on Support IB (Comparison) to provide Screens 1A (Invention) and IB (Comparison).
• a pair of Screens 1 A and a pair of Screens IB were each placed in contact on each side of a green-sensitive dual-coated radiographic film that is commercially sold under the trademark KODAK T-MAT ® radiographic film.
• the resulting imaging assemblies (1 A- Invention, IB-Control) were exposed using an X-ray-based inverse square sensitometer using an 80 kVp X-ray beam using 0.5 mm copper and 1.0 mm aluminum sheets as filters. The relative speed of each imaging assembly was determined by comparing the exposures necessary to produce a density of 1.0 plus fog on the characteristic sensitometric curve.
• each imaging assembly was exposed using an X-ray beam at 80 kVp that was filtered using 0.5 mm copper and 1 mm aluminum sheets, and the radiation passed through a "bone and beads" test object containing bone, plastic objects, steel wool, and miscellaneous objects having fine detail.
• Image sha ⁇ ness was visually compared for each imaging assembly. Setting the relative speed of the film used with Screen IB as 100, the film used with Screen 1 A exhibited a relative speed of 120. The observed image sha ⁇ ness produced by Imaging Assembly 1 A was only slightly less than that provided by Imaging Assembly IB. This again demonstrated the superiority of the phosphor screens of the present invention, taking both speed and image sha ⁇ ness into consideration.
• Example 2 Another set of phosphor screens was coated in a similar manner.
• Example 3 Phosphor Screen with Blue Layer
• a phosphor screen of the invention can be prepared similarly to that described in Example 1 except that a blue radiation absorbing layer can be inco ⁇ orated between the support and the phosphor layer.
• This radiation absorbing layer can be provided by dispersing the DYE (shown above) in polyvinyl alcohol and coating the formulation onto a support like that described in Example 1 before application of the phosphor layer and/or overcoat layer.
• the noted DYE compound is a blue dye that has maximum absorbance in the region of from about 600 to about 700 nm and minimum abso ⁇ tion in the region of from about 350 to about 450 nm.

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