My chin's Xrays, need help in finding a place who can copy...

[Sandi]

:banghead: I am having a hard time finding a place that can copy an xray of my chin who had to be put down due to his malo. I want a copy for my records, whether it be digital or on film. It's the only original and it belongs to my vet but he let me borrow it to get it copied. The receptionist said that if I wanted one I should have asked at the time that they had done the original xrays, which was last year in October when we found out my chin had malo, and that she does not know where I could get it copied either.

I'm wondering if any of you know where I can get it copied/scanned? They had me sign out the xray and said that they could fax an approval to anyone who needs it.

I've tried Kinkos, Wolf/Ritz camera, costco, walgreens, kwik copy, but they've all said that they couldn't. I'd greatly appreciate your help!

 

[alli713]

So will a regular scanner work? Did you check the library? I'm not sure about local libraries but I know at my school library we had scanners for general use

 

[Sandi]

I have a brand new HP scanner at work and I tried that but it all came out black . When I talked to the guys at the camera shop where they make large reprints they said their scanner is the same. I'll call a few libraries and see what they say.

 

[lauralynne]

I'm not from Chicago, but I am a Google queen.

Says all these specialize in x-ray duplication.

Infinate Imaging
(773) 928-7250
1029 E 130th St
Chicago, IL 60628

20 20 Imaging
(815) 301-4146
930 Pyott Rd # 101
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 42.21571 -88.316437
2020IMAGING.NET

Worldwide Imaging
(630) 972-9729
551 Norman Rd
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

 

[Sandi]

Thanks Laura, I've googled myself and called most of those ads awhile ago, 2 of those 3 numbers are disconnected and the other doesn't do copying of xrays

 

[lauralynne]

Awww! Sorry!

 

[Spoof]

I know you probably want a real copy, but you can stick it on the window and take a picture of it. Just use the macro setting on your camera.

 

[Sandi]

Cool, I will try that, thanks.

 

[InkedupTara]

I know you probably want a real copy, but you can stick it on the window and take a picture of it. Just use the macro setting on your camera.

That is what I did. I placed the film on the window and took the pic, up kinda close, on Macro.

 

[Rickman]

There's a place here in town that copies blueprints, but I didn't see this 'til 5:45 and they're closed - Midwest Digital - 815-588-0943. Hope they can do it!

 

[addictedtochins]

Have you contacted the local place that does human X-rays? Maybe they can do it?

 

[equus_peduus]

True x-ray copying is expensive and difficult. I believe that my vet school used to be able to do it (not sure if they still can), but it wasn't done very frequently. Human x-ray places may be able to do it, but my assumption (which may be incorrect) is that they've mostly gone to digital by now (i.e., not have the equipment any more)

The best cheap way to get a copy of a film x-ray into a digital format is to put the film on a bright x-ray viewbox in a dark room. Use your digital camera, walk up to the film until the whole thing is in the picture, with as little light showing around it as possible (this includes the edges of the film if it's not black all the way out). Use the macro setting if necessary. Do not use zoom. Tripod is good (eliminates small hand movements). Take picture. Transfer to computer. The more extraneous light you get in the picture, the more black the x-ray will show.

 

[Sandi]

Can't find "human x-ray places". I don't have a darkroom nor an xray view box. Hmm, I guess I'll try and take some digital pics in various locations with some lighting if the sun ever decides to come out by me *shrugs*.

 

[Spoof]

When you return it to your vet's office ask to use theirs. Every office both human and pet have them. Often they are in the exam rooms you just don't recognize them as they look like cabinets.

 

[Jenn]

When I worked in dentistry, we were able to copy dental x-rays. They copy was never quite as good as the original, but still readable.

 

[equus_peduus]

Can't find "human x-ray places".

Radiology department of your local human hospital.

Pretty much all vets, even if they've gone to all digital, have at least one viewbox (because sometimes referral films come that are not in digital format). I expect most human hospitals would have at least one viewbox as well, though they might not let you use it.

 

[Claire D]

I tend to use the method EP has suggested - I take my digital camera and photograph the Xrays on the light box. It works really well but you do need a very steady hand or a mini tripod in order to prevent any blurring of the image.

 

[Sandi]

Have you contacted the local place that does human X-rays? Maybe they can do it?

After one person said to me "uhm no you can't", I decided not to go this route. I haven't had xrays done on me ever.

The best cheap way to get a copy of a film x-ray into a digital format is to put the film on a bright x-ray viewbox in a dark room. Use your digital camera, walk up to the film until the whole thing is in the picture, with as little light showing around it as possible (this includes the edges of the film if it's not black all the way out). Use the macro setting if necessary. Do not use zoom. Tripod is good (eliminates small hand movements). Take picture. Transfer to computer. The more extraneous light you get in the picture, the more black the x-ray will show.

When you return it to your vet's office ask to use theirs. Every office both human and pet have them. Often they are in the exam rooms you just don't recognize them as they look like cabinets.

Thank you very much for this idea. I have contacted my vets office and they said that it was ok for me to do this.