Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for capturing digital radiographic images. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for reading varying electrical charges representing a latent radiographic image stored in a unique microcapacitor matrix structure to obtain an electrical signal representing a radiogram. The microcapacitor matrix structure or element comprises a first, electrically conductive, backing layer, a second photoconductive layer, a third dielectric layer and a plurality of conductive microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element. The method comprises (a) preventing actinic radiation from impinging on the element, (b) applying an electric potential difference between the plurality of microplates and the backing layer, (c) impinging imagewise modulated X-ray radiation for a first time period onto the element, (d) after the first time period, stopping the applying step, and (e) sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

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First Claim