Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image of an object has been stored, is scanned with stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet during exposure of the stimulable phosphor sheet to radiation. The light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with the stimulating rays, is detected, and an image signal representing the radiation image of the object is acquired. The scanning of the stimulable phosphor sheet with the stimulating rays is performed from an object image-carrying edge area, in which a radiation image pattern representing the object has been stored, the object image-carrying edge area being one of edge areas of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation conversion panel allows recorded radiation image information to be read therefrom with high accuracy while reliably avoiding adverse effects of residual past radiation image information that remains in the radiation conversion panel. When a radiation conversion panel storing radiation image information therein is scanned by reading light from a reading light source, the radiation image information is read from first linear electrode layers, and scanned position information is read from a first linear electrode layer of a marker. A corrector corrects presently read radiation image information based on past radiation image information and scanned position information to acquire radiation image information free from the effect of a residue of the past radiation image information.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an apparatus and process for evaluating an image-wise exposed storage film positioned about a cylindrically-shaped member and linearly passed a cylindrically-shaped slot for interrogation by a light beam wherein a processing assembly is co-axially disposed within a processing chamber formed by the cylindrically-shaped member and wherein the processing assembly includes a plate member disposed for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the processing chamber and having a pentaprism and a fluorescence light sensor positioned proximate a contact point of the interrogating light beam with the storage film and further including converting electronics for the thus generated fluorescence light wherein after interrogation, the storage film is immediately restored in the same apparatus for subsequent reuse.

Abstract: A vacuum evaporator including a vacuum chamber and a source arranged in the vacuum chamber to supply a deposition material to a substrate on which a layer is formed. A crystal sensor measures a deposition speed of the deposition material. The crystal sensor includes an insert having a hole, and the insert is arranged in front of the crystal sensor.

Abstract: Corrective image data obtained by reading a stimulable phosphor sheet which is uniformly irradiated with a radiation are masked, and added and averaged into reference data. The ratio between the reference data and the corrective image data is generated as sensitivity correcting data. Desired radiation image information is then read from the stimulable phosphor sheet, corrected by the sensitivity correcting data, and outputted to an external image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for scanning and processing computed radiography x-ray images in order to maximize the usage of cassette options. The storage phosphor radiography imaging method of the invention employs a cassette comprising a storage phosphor screen adapted to be exposed to x-rays to store a latent x-ray image in the screen and read using a reader. The method includes the steps of: associating cassette information with the cassette using an identification member affixed to the cassette or storage phosphor screen, the cassette information comprising information relating to characteristics of the cassette relevant to the reading of the screen by the reader; prior to reading the exposed storage phosphor screen to generate a digital image signal, scanning the identification member to obtain the cassette information; and reading the exposed storage phosphor screen in accordance with the cassette information to generate the digital image signal.

Abstract: A lighting arrangement (20) comprises: a radiation source, LED chip, (22) configured to emit radiation having a first wavelength range; a phosphor, photoluminescent material, (30) configured to absorb at least a portion of said first wavelength range radiation and emit radiation having a second wavelength range; and an optical component, lens, (26) through which at least said first wavelength range radiation passes. The LED is characterized in that the phosphor is provided on a surface (28) of the optical component.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel is composed of a phosphor layer formed by a gas phase-accumulation method and a transparent protective film glued thereon via an adhesive layer, in which the adhesive layer is made of a resin material having Tg of higher than 35° C. in an amount of 40 to 100 wt. % and a resin material having Tg of not higher than 35° C. in an amount of 60 to 0 wt. %.

Abstract: A radiation detector operating at high temperatures is shown comprising a LuAP scintillating material for producing light when excited by incident radiation, a photocathode, and an electron multiplier. The photocathode is deposited directly onto the surface of the scintillating material that is oriented toward the electron multiplier. In a preferred embodiment, a metal flange is hermetically sealed to the scintillating material and this is fusion welded to the electron multiplier to create a vacuum envelope. This invention is particularly useful in high temperature noisy environments such as downhole operations to detect radiation within a well hole.

Abstract: Structural noise is accurately removed by a radiographic image correcting apparatus. A correction image data set, generated from a reference image data set obtained from a stimulable phosphor sheet onto which radiation has been uniformly irradiated, that includes at least four times the amount of structural noise compared to quantum noise, is recorded in a memory means. A correcting means corrects a radiographic image data set, employing the correction image data set recorded in the memory means.

Abstract: An X-ray reading device, for reading out X-ray information stored in a phosphor plate, includes an insertion device into which a cassette in which the phosphor plate is located, can be inserted, and an oblong insertion opening through which the phosphor plate located within the inserted cassette can be conveyed into an inside cavity of the X-ray reading device. In order to guarantee a reliable light seal with a simple closure mechanism which can accommodate different position tolerances and cassette formats, at least one closure mechanism is provided which can be moved in a longitudinal direction of the insertion opening to close at least one second section of the insertion opening.

Abstract: A breast image obtaining apparatus using a solid-sate detector, or stimulable phosphor panel capable of correctly obtaining image information up to the area closer to the chest wall of a subject. when picking up the image, the solid-state detector is moved to a place close to the side wall of the housing on the chest wall side by the moving means to pick up the image up to the area close to the chest wall, and when reading the image, it is moved to the opposite direction to secure the overrun zone between the side wall of the housing and end of the solid-state detector on the subject side. By completing acceleration or deceleration of the reading light exposure section within this zone, the scanning rate of the reading light exposure section is maintained constant across the entire region of the solid-state detector.

Abstract: A method for reading radiation image information in which a cassette is lowered while keeping each short side of the cassette extending vertically, and then inserted into a radiation image reading apparatus which has a cassette loading inlet in its upper surface and the inserted cassette is taken into the apparatus, and next the front base and the back base are disengaged in the apparatus and both are separated, and after the radiation image information is read from the stimulable phosphor sheet of the back base which are separated from the front base, and then the front base and the back base are joined and ejected from the insertion opening of the apparatus. The apparatus height is smaller than in the method in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is pulled downward from the cassette and is read, and the operation of lifting the cassette against the force of gravity up to the height of the upper surface of the apparatus becomes unnecessary at the time of inserting the cassette.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel containing: a stimulable phosphor plate having a stimulable phosphor layer on a substrate; a first protective film provided on a stimulable phosphor layer of the substrate, the first protective film not being adhered to the surface of the stimulable phosphor layer and having a peripheral area extending outside of substrate; and a second protective film provided on the opposite side of the substrate to the stimulable phosphor layer, the second protective film having a peripheral area extending outside of the substrate, wherein the peripheral area of the first protective film and the peripheral area of the second protective film are heat-sealed with each other; and the radiation image conversion panel has a dehydrating function to dehydrate a space surrounded by the first protective film and the second protective film.

Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: A radiographic image detector to detect radiation applied thereto and obtain radiographic image information, includes: an internal power supply to supply power to drive units at least upon imaging; a communication unit to perform communication with an external device; a connection terminal connectable to a connection unit which performs at least one of charging of the internal power supply and the communication with the external device; a storing unit to store at least one of an image and information; a connection detecting unit to detect whether the connection terminal is connected to the connection unit; a state checking unit to check a state of each unit; and a control unit to control the state checking unit such that the state checking unit checks the state of each unit when the connection detecting unit has detected that the connection unit is connected to the connection terminal or disconnected therefrom.

Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.

Abstract: A radiation image forming unit has a stimulable phosphor sheet and a case. The stimulable phosphor sheet includes a phosphor layer and a frame covering the four sides of the phosphor layer. The frame has a recess, and a lead sheet for blocking backward scattered rays is replaceably mounted in the recess by a double-sided tape. The radiation image forming unit may be used without the lead sheet. The lead sheet may be replaced with another lead sheet having a different thickness.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel having an energy storable phosphor layer formed by a gas phase-accumulation method, the energy storable phosphor layer gives off an emission having a luminescence width in terms of d in the range of 150 to 395 ?m when it is exposed to radiation and then excited with a stimulating light of 50 ?m half-width.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel has a phosphor layer composed of a phosphor matrix compound and an activator in combination, a subbing layer composed of the phosphor matrix compound, and a support, in which both of the subbing layer and phosphor layer have been formed by a gas phase-accumulation method and in which the subbing layer has a relative density of 60% to 98%, and a surface of the support in contact with the subbing layer shows a contact angle of less than 50° to water.

Abstract: An optical memory plate particularly suitable for identification purposes or protection against forgery and counterfeiting radiation provides inscription of data and read-out of thus stored inscription data, comprises a europium doped alkali metal halide storage phosphor layer, and, more preferably, a stimulable CsBr:Eu phosphor substantially free of alkaline earth metals.

Abstract: A radiation image reading apparatus includes an image reading section for reading a radiation image on a stimulable phosphor sheet by scanning the stimulable phosphor sheet with exciting light in a main scanning direction, and a conveying section having a windable member to hold the stimulable phosphor sheet, a supporting member to support the windable member, and a driving section to move the windable member so as to convey the stimulable phosphor sheet to the image reading section in a sub scanning direction. The apparatus further includes a vibration damping mechanism being in contact with the windable member to damp vibration of the windable member, and a vibration refraining mechanism being in contact with the vibration damping mechanism to refrain vibration of the vibration damping mechanism itself.

Abstract: A binderless storage phosphor screen comprises a vacuum deposited CsBr:Eu phosphor layer on a support, wherein the support includes a layer of amorphous carbon and optionally one or more auxilliary layers.

Abstract: A system has been described for reading out stimulable phosphor screens, plates or panels, whether or not differing from each other in phosphor composition or phosphor layer arrangement, after exposing said screens to X-rays. Said system comprises at least one source of stimulating radiation, an array of transducer elements arranged for detecting light emitted upon stimulation and for converting said light into a signal representation of said image. Said system further comprises filtering means for preventing light, emitted by said source of stimulation light, from being detected by said transducer elements, wherein said filtering means transmits light with a high transmission efficiency for emitted blue light upon stimulation and low transmission for radiation from the stimulating laser source.

Abstract: A medical image recording apparatus comprising: a recording medium to record an X-ray transmitted through a subject; and an anti-scattering member for X-rays transmitted through the recording medium or an X-ray absorbing member for the X-rays transmitted through the recording medium, wherein the anti-scattering member or the X-ray absorbing member contains a composite material containing a metal or a compound having a specific gravity of not less than 3 excluding lead or a lead compound.

Abstract: Storage phosphor particles suitable for use in coated layers of stimulable phosphor screens or panels, in favor of high relative sensitivity, advantageously contain at the surface of the phosphor particles and in their inner volume, as components composing the said phosphor, a matrix component and a dopant or activator element that is homogeneously incorporated, wherein preference is given to particles having an aspect ratio of more than 2:1 and less than 50:1, said aspect ratio being defined as a ratio of 2 largest sizes of said particles, said sizes being taken in 3 dimensions perpendicular to each other, provided that one of said 2 largest sizes is smaller than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A reading assembly includes a stimulating light beam system having a plurality of laser diodes and a CCD line sensor having a plurality of CCDs. The laser diodes and the CCDs are disposed in a predetermined range of distances from the stimulable phosphor sheet along a main direction in order to cope with a deformation of the stimulable phosphor sheet in the main direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a casing having a side panel which has a cassette loading slot defined therein for loading a cassette therein. A stimulable phosphor sheet stored in the cassette loaded in the cassette loading slot is removed from the cassette and fed vertically downwardly along a first vertical feed path. Radiation image information recorded in the stimulable phosphor sheet is read by a reader. Thereafter, the stimulable phosphor sheet is stored back into the cassette, which is then delivered toward a cassette unloading slot by a sliding displacement mechanism. The stimulable phosphor sheet is removed again from the cassette, and fed along a second vertical feed path for an eraser to erase remaining radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a phosphor layer formed by a gas phase-accumulation method, in which the phosphor layer is made of an europium activated alkali metal halide stimulable phosphor (in which the alkali metal atom is Rb and/or Cs and the halogen is Cl, Br and/or I), and the phosphor layer gives off a stimulated emission whose afterglow at 0.24 millisecond observed after excitation with a stimulating light has an intensity of 1/102.1 or less of a maximum intensity of the stimulated emission (the stimulated emission and afterglow is observed after the phosphor layer is exposed to radiation and then excited with the stimulating light).

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to nanoparticles exhibiting luminescence such as photostimulated luminescence or photoluminescence and optical switching processes based upon such properties, in more particular, the use of such photostimulated luminescence exhibiting nanoparticles and switching nanoparticle for optical storage apparatuses and sensors as well as methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage layer (4) for storing x-ray information, comprising a large number of needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L) for guiding light radiation (17 to 28, 30 to 35). An absorption zone (14A to 14N), which contains absorption material for absorbing light radiation (17 to 23, 30 to 35, 39) lies between the individual needle-shaped storage material areas (15A to 15L) and absorbs less than all of the light radiation that it receives. The invention also relates to a device for reading x-ray information from a storage layer of this type and to an x-ray cassette which has a device of this type for reading x-ray information.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet includes a stimulable phosphor layer in contact with a protective layer which is rigid and transparent. Stimulating light is projected onto the stimulable phosphor sheet from the protective layer side, stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor layer upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by imaging the stimulated emission on a line sensor by an imaging lens from the protective layer side while moving the stimulable phosphor sheet relatively to the line sensor in a direction intersecting the direction in which the line sensor extends.

Abstract: The invention presents a method of radiation dosimetry and radiation field imaging. It utilizes luminescent material based on aluminum oxide doped with carbon and magnesium (Al2O3:C,Mg) and containing aggregate oxygen vacancy defects. Storage of dosimetric information is based on ionization of the crystal matrix, generation of free electrons and capture of electrons and holes by traps and color centers. An absorbed dose is determined by non-destructive readout of fluorescence from color centers induced by radiation. The preferred mode of measurements is to illuminate the Al2O3:C,Mg phosphor with a red laser (at 635 or 650 nm) and to measure the intensity of 750 nm fluorescence. Method allows for high temperature and environmental stability of dose information. The detector material is insensitive to room light before and after the irradiation and provides a fast data rate during scanning for imaging of radiation fields.

Abstract: The type information of stimulable phosphor sheets is read from cassettes which store the stimulable phosphor sheets in cassette storage apparatus, and storage position information of the stimulable phosphor sheets is acquired. When subject information is set by ID terminals, a cassette having the type information that matches the subject information is selected from the cassette storage apparatus, and supplied to radiation image capturing apparatus. With respect to a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information has been recorded, the subject information is set in relation to identification information of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: After bearing members engage in respective recesses defined in engaging members that are fixed to sides of a stimulable phosphor sheet, openings of the recesses are closed by pressers of leaf springs, holding the stimulable phosphor sheet on the bearing members.

Abstract: A stimulating light cut filter is disposed between a radiation image convertor panel and a line sensor to transmit the stimulated emission and cut the stimulating light. The stimulating light cut filter includes an optical element which absorbs the stimulating light, and a reflecting layer which reflects the stimulating light.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a phosphor layer produced by vapor phase deposition, the phosphor layer is composed of an europium activated cesium halide stimulable phosphor and exhibits an ultraviolet light-excited emission spectrum satisfying the condition of: 0<S(400–420)<0.20 in which S(400–420) represents a ratio of an amount of a light emitted by a luminous component giving an emission peak in the region of 400 to 420 nm based on the total amount of emitted light.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus (10) for scanning radiographic media (22) comprises a housing (11) with a scanning stage (12) mounted within the housing. A scanning head is mounted on the scanning stage and the scanning stage is adapted for translational movement along an axis (16). An opening (18) in the housing receives a cassette (20) and radiographic media has a latent image (24) disposed in the cassette. The radiographic media has a ferromagnetic end (26) and the cassette consists of a closed box shape having an upper door (28) and a lower door (30). A first magnet (32) is secured to the upper door and a second magnet (34) is secured to the lower door. The polarity of the first magnet is in the same orientation as the polarity of the second magnet. A magnetic latch (36) is mounted within the scanning apparatus to hold the radiographic media at the ferromagnetic end, and the magnetic latch is mounted so that the polarity of the magnetic latch repels the polarity of the first and second magnets.

Abstract: An image storage screen or panel, suitable for use in applications related with computed radiography has a binderless needle-shaped stimulable (storage) CsBr:Eu phosphor and a substrate, wherein the substrate has a surface roughness of less than 2 ?m and a reflectivity of more than 80%.

Abstract: A method of configuring a storage phosphor reader. The method comprises the steps of: providing a database of user-selectable image processing parameters wherein the image processing parameters are grouped by geographical region; allowing an operator of the storage phosphor reader to select one of the groups of geographical regions; and applying the image processing parameters of the selected group to the storage phosphor reader to configure the reader with the image processing parameters of the selected group.

Abstract: A storage phosphor panel for storing image information and an X-ray cassette with such a storage phosphor panel are proposed. The storage phosphor panel contains a carrier layer and a storage phosphor layer, which is applied on the carrier layer. The storage phosphor panel furthermore has a contour which is configured as an autonomous part relative to the carrier layer and is connected to the carrier layer.

Abstract: A sensor including at least one element made out of a radiation detection material, capable of emitting a luminescence radiation and transparent to this radiation, and two radiation filtration screens, one thin and placed opposite one end of the element, the other thick and placed at the periphery of the element. The sensor may be coupled with a flexible optical wave guide designed to collect and convey the luminescence radiation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a network system for radiographing radiation images. The network system includes a plurality of radiation-image reading apparatus to read the radiation images stored in radiation-image storing sheets, so as to generate image data sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation images, and a plurality of controllers to register discrimination information sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation-image storing sheets. Each of the controllers can display a radiation image for confirmation, when it receives an image data set corresponding to the radiation image. A radiation-image reading apparatus reads a discrimination information set recorded on a radiation-image storing sheet loaded into the radiation-image reading apparatus.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor panel comprises a support plate, and a stimulable phosphor layer, which is overlaid on the support plate. The stimulable phosphor panel is provided with position adjusting members, each of which has a position adjusting reference surface for adjustment of a position of the stimulable phosphor panel at the time of an operation for locating the stimulable phosphor panel in a radiation image read-out apparatus, such that the position adjusting members are capable of being displaced. A spacing between the position adjusting reference surface of each of the position adjusting members and a surface of the stimulable phosphor layer is capable of being adjusted with an operation for displacing each of the position adjusting members.

Abstract: A phosphor layer of a radiation image storage panel produced by vapor phase deposition method under such condition that the phosphor layer is composed of a phosphor of a cesium chloride crystalline structure which is grown on a crystal face of (110) or (100) shows an increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus for reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet includes a stimulating light projector which projects stimulating light emitted from a stimulating light source onto the stimulable phosphor sheet through a projecting optical system so that the stimulating light is collected in a line-like area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a line sensor which detects stimulated emission emitted from the line-like area of the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light. The projecting optical system has an aspheric toric surface.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a phosphor layer produced by vapor phase deposition, the phosphor layer is composed of an europium activated cesium halide stimulable phosphor and exhibits an ultraviolet light-excited emission spectrum satisfying the condition of:

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a deposited phosphor layer, wherein the phosphor layer comprises an alkali metal halide stimulable phosphor containing a small amount of oxygen atom and is annealed after deposition has high-sensitivity and gives a reproduced radiation image of high quality.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are irradiated linearly along a main scanning direction onto a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, and light emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays is received with a line sensor via a light collecting optical system. The line sensor comprises photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the main scanning direction. An optical guide member is located between the light collecting optical system and the line sensor. The optical guide member has a reflection surface for reflecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the light collecting optical system and has spread over a range wider than a width of each of the photoelectric conversion devices, the width being taken in a sub-scanning direction, such that the photoelectric conversion devices can receive the emitted light.