Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile computed radiography (CR) unit is provided. The mobile CR unit includes a CR scanner adapted to acquire one or more images from an image recording medium, and a transport mechanism coupled to the CR scanner, the transport mechanism adapted to facilitate transport of the mobile CR apparatus between locations. In another aspect, the mobile CR unit in constructed as a single free-standing integrated device having a frame that couples together the CR scanner, a display adapted to view the one more images acquired by the CR scanner, and a plurality of wheels that allow the mobile CR unit to be transported from one location to another.

Abstract: A storage phosphor cassette for use in recording radiographic images of elongated objects. The cassette comprises a shell and a single storage phosphor plate. The shell includes first and second opposite open ends. The single storage phosphor plate is housed within the shell and is adapted to be at least partially removable from the shell through the first and second open ends. A radiation image of the elongate object can be read by extracting a first portion of the single plate through one of the two opposing ends of the cassette and scanning the first portion of the single storage phosphor plate to obtain a first partial image, and then extracting a second portion of the single plate through the other of the two opposing ends of the cassette and scanning the second portion of the single storage phosphor plate to obtain a second partial image. The first and second partial images can be combined to form the image of the elongate object.

Abstract: A method of acquiring at least one image from an image recording medium using a pulsed radiation source is provided. In one aspect, a method of scanning an image recording medium that has been exposed to X-ray radiation comprises providing first radiation along a plurality of scan traces over a surface of the image recording medium such that the first radiation does not impinge on the image recording over at least one interval along each of the plurality of scan traces. The pulsed laser source may reduce and/or eliminate cross-influence artifacts in images resulting from pulsed radiation image acquisition.

Abstract: A protective cover for various image recording media, such as film and phosphor media, and for cassettes that encase said media. The protective cover is arranged to substantially enclose the cassette during storage and/or exposure to X-rays and then removed (and perhaps disposed of) during acquisition of the latent image stored on the image recording media, for example, by an image reader such as a laser scanning device. The protective cover prevents contaminants from contacting the cassette and/or image recording media, thus extending the lifetime of the equipment.

Abstract: A method of acquiring at least one image from an image recording medium using a pulsed radiation source is provided. In one aspect, a method of scanning an image recording medium that has been exposed to X-ray radiation comprises providing first radiation along a plurality of scan traces over a surface of the image recording medium such that the first radiation does not impinge on the image recording over at least one interval along each of the plurality of scan traces. The pulsed laser source may reduce and/or eliminate cross-influence artifacts in images resulting from pulsed radiation image acquisition.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile computed radiography (CR) unit is provided. The mobile CR unit includes a CR scanner adapted to acquire one or more images from an image recording medium, and a transport mechanism coupled to the CR scanner, the transport mechanism adapted to facilitate transport of the mobile CR apparatus between locations. In another aspect, the mobile CR unit in constructed as a single free-standing integrated device having a frame that couples together the CR scanner, a display adapted to view the one more images acquired by the CR scanner, and a plurality of wheels that allow the mobile CR unit to be transported from one location to another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a medium attached to a surface of a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment, the fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a first longitudinal axis, a rotational radial laser beam rotating around the first longitudinal axis and arranged to scan said medium, and a light sensitive detector having a light acceptance direction along a second axis coinciding with the first longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment.

Abstract: For use with an optical scanning device, a reading head comprising a housing having at least one bore for accommodating therein a respective photo-multiplier tube and a non-intersecting lateral bore for accommodating therein a stimulating light source for producing a stimulating beam having a first wavelength. A focusing lens is mounted in association with the stimulating light source for focusing the stimulating beam on a film of the scanning device so as to produce stimulated fluorescent light having a second wavelength in the film at a point of contact by the stimulating beam. A window is provided within the housing for mounting therein a filter for transmitting therethrough the stimulated fluorescent light whilst substantially blocking reflections of the stimulating beam.