Kodak improves screen technology for standard radiographic films

Better chemistry makes sharper images

In the increasingly digital world of radiology, it is easy to overlook technologies that seem linked to the past. Yet film, which has served physicians for more than a century, still has some advantages over digital technology, and it continues to evolve.

Kodak announced at the RSNA meeting a new screen-film technology that promises to deliver images 20% sharper than those produced with the company's previous film products.

The new X-Sight screen features smaller phosphor particles that facilitate modulation transfer function, which improves x-ray absorption and reduces image noise. The new X-Sight screen complements Kodak's zero crossover film technology that minimizes light scatter.

The X-Sight technology helps damp out blur and noise to better visualize structures in areas of high contrast or density, according to Eileen Heizyk, worldwide marketing manager for Kodak film systems.

"By working on producing sharper images, we are continuing our investment in analog film and striving to get analog imaging where it should be," she said.

The latest iteration of X-Sight is available for window and windowless cassettes. It is being sold at the same price as the previous product.