Radiographic display system with cassette lock

Abstract

A nuclear imaging device comprising a plurality of scanning heads spaced apart in a predetermined configuration with the aid of a support member that permits the individual scanning heads to scan in parallel, antiparallel, and tomographic modes. The support member which is driven in both X and Y directions is mechanically connected with the stylus of a graphical X-Y plotter via a backlash linkage. Displays are provided wherein the color of the ink dot on printed paper or the intensity of the light projected on photographic film are related to the nuclear particle count in a preselectable manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a radiographic imaging system wherein an image is produced on a photographic film by means of a moving light stylus, the invention comprising: a light-tight box enclosing said photographic film, said light-tight box having an opening for admitting light from said stylus and a shield adapted to cover said opening for excluding said light;   a structure for supporting said light-tight box in relation to said stylus; and   a lock positioned on said light-tight box, said lock comprising an elongated member slidably mounted for engaging alternately said shield or said structure.   
     
     
       2. The device defined by claim 1 wherein said light-tight box is slidably mounted within said structure to permit withdrawal of said light-tight box through an opening in said structure, and said shield is slidably mounted within said light-tight box to permit withdrawal of said shield through said opening. 
     
     
       3. In combination: means for scanning a source of radiation;   a source of light connected by a mechanical linkage to said scanning means;   a photographic film container adapted to support a photographic film for illumination by said source of light, said container comprising a lock and having a slide for excluding light from the container; and   a housing for supporting said container in spaced relation to said source of light, said lock engaging said housing to secure said container within said housing and releasing said slide for exposure of said film by said source of light.   
     
     
       4. A device comprising in combination: means for scanning a source of radiation;   a source of light connected by a mechanical linkage to said scanning means;   a photographic film container adapted to support a photographic film for illumination by said source of light, said container comprising a lock and having a slide for excluding light from the container;   a housing for supporting said container in spaced relation to said source of light, said lock engaging said housing to secure said container within said housing and releasing said slide for exposure of said film by said source of light; and wherein   said source of light emits flashes of light having an intensity related in a predetermined manner to the intensity of said radiation, said device further comprising:   means for varying said predetermined manner; and   means for varying a repetition frequency of said light flashes as a function of the scanning speed of said scanning means.   
     
     
       5. The device as defined by claim 4 wherein said mechanical linkage has a predetermined amount of backlash to preclude the formation of a scalloping effect in an image formed on said photographic film by said source of light. .Iadd. 6. A radiographic imaging system comprising: means for scanning a source of radiation;   a source of light;   a photographic film container adapted to support a photographic film for illumination by said source of light, said container having a cover for excluding light from the container;   a housing for supporting said container in spaced relation to said source of light;   means for securing said container to said housing while permitting removal of said cover for exposure of said film by said light;   means coupled to said scanning means for digitally counting incidences of said radiation; and   means coupled between said counting means and said light source for providing flashes of said light according to a magnitude of the count of said counting means..Iaddend..Iadd. 7. A radiographic imaging system comprising:   means for scanning a source of radiation;   a source of light;   a photographic film container adapted to support a photographic film for illumination by said source of light, said container having a cover for excluding light from the container;   a housing for supporting said container in spaced relation to said source of light;   means for securing said container to said housing while permitting removal of said cover for exposure to said film by said light;   means coupled to said scanning means for digitally counting incidences of said radiation to activate said source of light;   means for supporting said source of light, said supporting means directing rays of said light to sequentially illuminate successive points of said film corresponding to said scanning of said radiation; and   means coupled to said supporting means for displacing one set of said sequentially illuminated points from a second set of said sequentially illuminated points to preclude the formation of a scalloping effect.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd. 8.  A radiographic imaging system comprising: means for scanning a source of radiation;   a source of light, said light source casting a spot of light having a perimeter delineating a size and shape of said light spot;   a photographic film container adapted to support a photographic film for illumination by said source of light, said container having a cover for excluding light from the container;   a housing for supporting said container in spaced relation to said source of light;   means for securing said container to said housing while permitting removal of said cover for exposure of said film by said light;   means coupled to said scanning means for digitally counting incidences of said radiation to activate said source of light; and wherein   said light source includes means for varying said perimeter of said light   
     
     
        spot. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9.  A radiographic imaging system comprising: means for scanning a subject emitting radiant energy;   a source of illuminating radiation, said source casting a spot of radiation having a perimeter delineating a size and shape of said spot;   recording media responsive to said illuminating radiation;   means for removably securing said recording media in spaced apart relation to said source of illuminating radiation, said source casting said spot of illuminating radiation upon said media;   means coupled between said scanning means and said source of illuminating radiation for digitally counting incidences of said radiant energy to activate said source; and wherein   said source of illuminating radiation includes means for varying said perimeter of said spot cast upon said media..Iaddend..Iadd. 10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said counting means includes for storing a count thereof while said counting means counts further incidences of said radiant energy..Iaddend.