Filing device for developed X-ray film

A device is provided for filing a developed X-ray film such as a developed dental X-ray film. The filing device is formed of a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet has scale marks applied thereon, and is arranged such that a particular site, such as a tooth, in the X-ray film can be diagnosed using the scale marks. The filing device makes it possible to determine with precision and ease the size, relative position or the like of the particular site without removal of the X-ray film from the filing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 a) Field of the Invention
 This invention relates to a filing device for one or more developed X-ray
 films (hereinafter called a "developed X-ray film filing device").
 b) Description of the Related Art
 X-ray photography is widely used especially in the medical field. Exposed
 X-ray films are developed, and are then stored in or on X-ray film filing
 devices such as files, folders and slide mounts.
 Such X-ray film filing devices include those making use of sheets having
 light-transmitting properties. Filing devices of this type, with films
 still filed in or on the devices, permit diagnosis or observation of the
 films by illuminating the films at the back sides thereof.
 Upon diagnosis or observation of a particular site, such as a tooth, in an
 X-ray film filed in or on an X-ray film filing device of this type,
 precise determination of the size or relative position of the site
 requires to remove the film from the filing device and then to affect the
 diagnosis or observation by using another instrument or device.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 With the foregoing inconvenience in view, the present invention has as an
 object thereof the provision of an X-ray film filing device which permits
 precise and easy diagnosis or observation of the size, relative position
 or the like of a particular site in an X-ray film while the X-ray is still
 filed in or on the filing device.
 To achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a
 developed X-ray film filing device for filing a developed X-ray film,
 which is composed of a transparent sheet having scale marks applied
 thereon. The transparent sheet is arranged such that a particular site
 appeared in the X-ray film can be diagnosed using the scale marks.
 Filing of the X-ray film in or on the filing device allows a viewer to
 observe the X-ray film and the scale marks in an overlapped state, so that
 the size or relative position of the particular site can be precisely and
 easily determined without removal of the X-ray film from the filing
 device. Further, measurements can also be performed with ease on teeth
 (root canal lengths and the like).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 With reference to the accompanying drawings, the developed X-ray film
 filing devices according to the first to seventh embodiments of the
 present invention will hereinafter be described. Although the filing
 devices according to these embodiments are for developed dental X-ray
 films, filing devices according to the present invention are not limited
 for use with such developed dental X-ray films but are usable for other
 developed medical X-ray films.
 (First Embodiment)
 Referring first to FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F, the developed X-ray film filing
 device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be
 described. The X-ray film filing device, which is designated generally at
 numeral 2, is made of a sheet 4 having light-transmitting property (for
 example, transparent PVC sheet), and on the sheet 4, cross-ruled scale
 marks 6 have been applied at 1 mm intervals, for example, by printing or
 the like. In the sheet 4, four cuts 8 are formed to hold a dental X-ray
 film (3.times.4 cm) by inserting the film at parts thereof. A data sticker
 10 is applied on the sheet 4 at a location other than a location where the
 X-ray film is held in place. For example, the name and sex of a patient,
 the date and site of photography, etc. may be written on the data sticker
 10.
 FIGS. 1D through 1F illustrate the X-ray film filing device 2 in use. The
 dental X-ray film 12 is held in place with corners thereof inserted in the
 cuts 8. The film 12 may be held on the side of the sticker 10 as shown in
 FIG. 1E or may be held on the side opposite to the sticker 10 as depicted
 in FIG. 1F.
 Owing to the application of the scale marks 6 to the sheet 4 as described
 above, the dental X-ray film 12 can be observed in a state overlapped with
 the scale marks 6. This makes it possible to more precisely determine
 conditions of individual teeth, relative positions of teeth, and the like.
 Further, measurements of each tooth (root canal length and the like) are
 also feasible. The color of the scale marks 6 is not limited specifically,
 and a suitable color can be chosen depending on the shade of the developed
 film 12. In the case of a general monochrome film, use of gray scale marks
 permits easy observation owing to their good matching with the film.
 When a measurement is desired from a specific point as an origin in the
 film 12, it is only necessary to adjust the position of the film 12 such
 that one of the scale marks 6 or one of crossing points of the scale marks
 6 is brought into registration with the origin. If a higher degree of
 preciseness is desired for a measurement, it is only necessary to apply
 the scale marks 6 at smaller or finer intervals. The scale marks 6 are not
 limited to such cross-ruled scale marks, and scale marks in another
 pattern (scale marks in the form of a cobweb or the like) can be used.
 (Second Embodiment)
 With reference to FIG. 2A through FIG. 2E, the developed X-ray film filing
 device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be
 described next. The X-ray film filing device, which is indicated generally
 at numeral 14, is composed of a first sheet 16 having light-transmitting
 property, a second sheet 18 having light-transmitting property, and a
 third sheet 20. The second-sheet 18 and the first sheet 16 have been
 formed by folding a single piece of sheet having light-transmitting
 property. Except for a free end portion 18a, the second sheet 18 is
 secured (for example, fusion-bonded) at side portions 18b thereof on the
 first sheet 16, whereby a bag-shaped, X-ray film pocket 22 is formed. The
 third sheet 20 is secured at an end portion thereof 20a on the first sheet
 16, and its opposite end 20b covers an inlet 22a of the X-ray film pocket
 22. On the third sheet 20, a data blank similar to the data sticker 10 in
 FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F is formed. An adhesive 17 is coated on the back
 side of the first sheet 16 at an upper end portion thereof. The adhesive
 17 is covered by a release film 19. By peeling off the release film 19,
 the X-ray film filing device 14 can be adhered, for example, on a dental
 chart or the like with the adhesive 17.
 The first sheet 16 is applied with cross-ruled scale marks 6 similar to
 those applied on the sheet 4 shown in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1F. The
 cross-ruled scale marks 6 may be applied to the second sheet 18.
 FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate the X-ray film filing device 14 in use. The
 dental X-ray film 12 does not fall off from the X-ray film filing device
 14, because it is placed within the film pocket 22 and is covered by the
 third sheet 20. The application of the scale marks 6 to the sheet 16 or 18
 makes it possible to observe the dental X-ray film 12 in a state
 overlapped with the scale marks 6 and hence to bring about similar
 advantageous effects as the first embodiment.
 As is illustrated in FIG. 2A, a plurality of X-ray film filing devices 14
 may be formed side by side on an elongated sheet 24, and perforations may
 be formed between the individual X-ray film filing devices 14 such that
 they can be cut off individually.
 (Third Embodiment)
 With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a description will now be made of the
 developed X-ray film filing device according to the third embodiment of
 the present invention. The X-ray film filing device, which is designated
 generally at numeral 26, is provided with a first sheet 28 having
 light-transmitting property and plural second sheets 30 having
 light-transmitting property. These second sheets 30 are secured on the
 first sheet 28, whereby a number of X-ray film pockets 32 are formed. As
 is shown in FIG. 3, these X-ray film pocket 32 are divided into three rows
 by fusion-bonded portions 35 which have been formed continuously extending
 in a horizontal direction. In each row, five film pockets 32 are formed.
 These five film pockets 32 are divided by fusion-bonded portions 33,
 respectively.
 Data blanks 34 similar to the data sticker 10 in FIGS. 1A through 1F are
 formed by printing on the first sheet 28 at locations other than the X-ray
 film pockets 32. The first sheet 28 is applied with cross-ruled scale
 marks 6 which are similar to those applied on the sheet 4 in FIGS. 1A, 1B
 and 1D. The scale marks 6 may be applied to the second sheets 30.
 In FIGS. 3 and 4, the dental X-ray film 12 is placed in the X-ray film
 pocket 32 in the bottom row to show an illustrative example of use. The
 application of the scale marks 6 to the first sheet 28 or the second sheet
 30 makes it possible to observe the dental X-ray film 12 in a state
 overlapped with the scale marks 6 and hence to bring about similar
 advantageous effects as the first embodiment.
 In FIG. 3, the plural film pockets 32 are formed on the single piece of
 sheet. A single film pocket may however be formed on a single piece of
 sheet. The data blanks 34 may be arranged depending on the application
 purposes and in some instances, may be omitted.
 Referring next to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the developed X-ray film filing device
 according to the modification of the third embodiment will be described.
 In this modification, a first sheet 29 is provided with corrugations 29a
 such that inlets 32a of pockets 32 are constricted, in other words, made
 narrower by the corrugations 29a to prevent films from falling out of the
 pockets 32. The corrugations 29a can be formed, for example, by causing
 the sheet 29 to undergo thermal deformation. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, elements
 of structure similar to those shown in FIG. 4 are designated by like
 reference numerals. The corrugations 29a are formed of three ridges. It is
 however to be noted that no particular limitation is imposed on the number
 of ridges and even a single ridge may be used. It is also to be noted that
 no particular limitation is imposed on the configuration of the ridges. In
 essence, these ridges may be of any configuration insofar as they can
 constrict or close the inlet 32a of the pocket 32. To prevent a film from
 falling out, a sheet has heretofore been arranged covering the film pocket
 32 (for example, the sheet 20 in FIGS. 2A through 2E). The design of FIGS.
 5A and 5B makes it possible to prevent an X-ray film from falling out and
 hence to assure filing of the X-ray film by simply deforming the first
 sheet 29 without needing arrangement of any special member.
 (Fourth Embodiment)
 With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the developed X-ray film filing device
 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
 described. The X-ray film filing device, which is indicated generally at
 numeral 36, is a film filing device which can also file a document such as
 a dental chart. The X-ray film filing device 36 is formed by folding a
 transparent sheet 38 in half, and a document pocket 42 for filing a
 document such as a dental chart 40 is formed on one 38a of a two-page
 spread of the sheet 38 by folding an end portion 38b of the sheet 38. A
 lower end portion 38c of the end portion 38b is fusion-bonded. The other
 one 38d of the two-page spread of the sheet 38 is provided with
 cross-ruled scale marks 6 and also with plural cuts 8 in which X-ray films
 can be inserted at parts thereof for holding the X-ray films there.
 FIG. 6B shows the film filing device 36 in use. The dental chart 40 is
 filed in the document pocket 42, and on the other one 38d of the two-page
 spread, films 12 are held in the cuts 8.
 Use of the above-described film filing device 36 makes it possible to store
 a document, such as a dental chart, and films together in the same file,
 and in addition, the application of the scale marks 6 to the sheet 38
 makes it possible to observe each dental X-ray film 12 in a state
 overlapped with the scale marks 6. It is therefore possible to obtain
 similar advantageous effects as the first embodiment. In this embodiment,
 each film 12 is held in place by the cuts 8. The holding method of each
 film 12 is however not limited to the use of the cuts, and each film 12
 may be secured on the sheet, for example, by using an adhesive tape or the
 like.
 (Fifth Embodiment)
 Referring to FIG. 7A through FIG. 7E, the developed X-ray film filing
 device according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The X-ray film
 filing device of this embodiment, which is designated generally at numeral
 44, is used as a slide for projection. The X-ray film filing device 44 is
 composed of two mount members 46, which define openings 45 therethrough
 and are adapted to hold the X-ray film 12 therebetween, and transparent
 sheets 48 covering the openings 45, respectively. The transparent sheet 48
 are adhered on the corresponding mount members 46, respectively. These two
 mount members 46 are provided at end portions thereof with concavities and
 convexities, respectively. By fitting these concavities and convexities
 with each other, the two mount members 46 are united together.
 As is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7D, scale marks 6 are applied to one of the
 sheets 48, said one sheet 48 being positioned on a front side, in a
 similar manner as in the sheet 4 in FIGS. 1A through 1F. In contrast, the
 scale marks 6 may also be applied to the other sheet 48 which is
 positioned on a rear side.
 Owing to the application of the scale marks 6 on one of the sheets 48, use
 of the above-described film filing device 44 makes it possible to project
 an image of the dental X-ray film 12 in a state overlapped with the scale
 marks 6, thereby bring about similar advantageous effects as the first
 embodiment.
 (Sixth Embodiment)
 Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8C, the developed X-ray film filing device
 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be
 described. The X-ray film filing device, which is indicated generally at
 numeral 52, has a transparent sheet 54 (for example, a transparent PVC
 sheet), and a window 58 with cross-ruled scale marks 6 applied at 1 mm
 intervals by printing or the like is formed on a front side of the sheet
 54 (i.e., the side shown in FIG. 8A). The front side of the sheet 54 is
 colored at an area other than the area of the window 58 and in this
 embodiment, is printed in a dark color (for example, in a gray color
 somewhat darker than the color of a dental X-ray film F, or in a black
 color) to form a printed area 60. The window 58 is formed slightly smaller
 than the dental X-ray film F (3.times.4 cm).
 In an upper part of the area 60 printed in the dark color, a data blank 62
 is printed, for example, in a white color.
 On a rear side of the sheet 54 (i.e., the side shown in FIG. 8C), an
 adhesive layer 64 is formed by applying an adhesive to the area other than
 the window 58. The adhesive layer 64 may be covered with a sheet of
 release paper (not shown) as needed.
 A description will next be made about a method for using the filing device
 52. As is shown in FIG. 8C, the X-ray film F is first applied to the
 adhesive layer 64 on the rear side of the X-ray film filing device 52 such
 that the X-ray film F is registered with the window 58. The X-ray film
 filing device 52 is then bonded to a transparent or translucent mount 66
 as shown in FIG. 9. The X-ray film F is secured in a state held between
 the film filing device 52 and the mount 66.
 The filing of the dental X-ray film F in the manner described above makes
 it possible to firmly secure the film F on the mount 66 and to observe it
 in a state overlapped with the scale marks 6. As a consequence, the
 condition of each tooth, relative positions of teeth, or the like can be
 precisely determined. Further, measurements of each tooth (root canal
 length and the like) are also feasible. The color of the scale marks 6 is
 not limited specifically, and a suitable color can be chosen depending on
 the shade of the developed film F.
 When a measurement is desired from a particular point as an origin in the
 film F, it is only necessary to position the film F such that one of the
 scale marks 6 or one of crossing points of the scale marks is brought into
 registration with the origin. This makes it possible to measure a length
 precisely. If a higher degree of preciseness is desired for a measurement,
 it is only necessary to apply the scale marks 6 at smaller or finer
 intervals. The scale marks 6 are not limited to such cross-ruled scale
 marks, and scale marks in another pattern (scale marks in the form of a
 cobweb or the like) can be used.
 (Seventh Embodiment)
 Referring to FIGS. 10A through 10C and FIG. 11, the developed X-ray film
 filing device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention
 will be described. In this embodiment, the X-ray film filing device which
 is designated generally at numeral 68 is provided in adjacent to the
 window 58 with a cover sheet 70 having light-transmitting property
 (transparency or translucence) such that the cover sheet 70 may be folded
 to cover the window 58. The remaining construction is the same as the
 corresponding construction in FIGS. 8A through 8C. The cover sheet 70 is
 folded backward along a folding line 72 which is indicated by a dashed
 line. As is depicted in FIG. 11, the film F is held between the sheet 54
 and the cover sheet 70, and the cover sheet 70 is bonded to the adhesive
 layer 64 to secure the film F.
 The filing of the dental X-ray film F in the manner described above makes
 it possible to secure the film F and to observe it in a state overlapped
 with the scale marks 6 without needing using the mount 66 as in the sixth
 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9. The filing device 68 according to the
 seventh embodiment of the present invention can bring about similar
 advantageous effects as the filing device shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C.
 Further, the film filing device 68 can also be used as a slide for
 projection.
 In the seventh embodiment described above, the window 58 was formed
 integrally with the sheet 54. The present invention is however not limited
 to such integral formation, and the window 58 and the sheet 54 may be
 formed as discrete members. The window 58 and the adhesive layer 64 may be
 arranged on the same side of the sheet 54 although they were arranged on
 the different sides of the sheet 54 in the above-described seventh
 embodiment.