Abstract: A radiation detector for use in imaging with ionizing radiation, comprising a crystal having a surface area and a thickness wherein the doping profile in a thickness direction of the crystal has the form &agr;M, where M is the dopant and &agr; varies with the thickness direction.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet to be employed in a radiation image double-side reading system is preferably has the following condition: radiation energy image erasability on a front side surface onto which stimulating rays are to be applied being lower than that on a back side surface in such manner that a ratio of a difference of an erasing value to a lower erasing value determined on the front side surface or on the back side surface is less than 10%.

Abstract: A radiography system is disclosed of the type having means for irradiation of an object in order to form an image of the said object or in order to detect irradiation of said object, said radiography system comprising a sensor having an exposure response function, wherein the sensor is in form of a stimulable storage phosphor plate, comprising stimulable storage phosphors, preferably having a dark-decay of more than 24 hours, wherein energy of stimulation radiation is higher than energy of emission radiation upon stimulation of said storage phosphors.

Abstract: A photostimulable phosphor screen comprising a photostimulable phosphor and a transparent outermost layer with a thickness, d, larger than 150 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The frequency of light source malfunctions is reduced and inconsistencies in exposure are controlled in a readout exposure apparatus for reading out radiation image data recorded as an electrostatic image on an image detecting device. The readout exposure device includes a light source having a plurality of LED chips, a first optical element for improving the quality of the light output, and a second optical element for focusing the light passing through the first optical element on the face of the image detecting device through two cylindrical lenses. The light output from each LED chip is focused in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the light source. By irradiation of the image detecting device by the light not focused along the lengthwise direction of the light source, a plurality of pixels are simultaneously exposed by the light emitted from each light emitting point.

Abstract: Data identifying a radiographic image are entered manually into an identification station. Then, the radiographic image is transferred by radio frequency transmission from the identification station to a radio frequency tag provided on a cassette conveying a photo stimulable phosphor screen in which a radiographic image has been stored.

Abstract: A method for preparing a radiographic intensifying screen or a radiation image conversion panel is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon a phosphor layer, the method comprising the steps of (i) mixing a phosphor and a resin exhibiting a glass transition temperature of Tg1 to form a phosphor layer, (ii) subjecting the phosphor layer to compression, and (iii) making a glass transition temperature of the phosphor layer Tg2, wherein the Tg1 and the Tg2 meet the following requirement: Tg1<Tg2. Tg1 is within the range of −50° C. to 25° C., and Tg2 is 30° C. to 130° C.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining imaging quality in a computed radiography (CR) system includes providing a substrate having fluorescent test pattern disposed thereon. The substrate is disposed in place of the standard storage-phosphor screen and scanned as if reading out a storage screen. The detected signals form a read-out image which is then compared against the test pattern to judge image quality.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is scanned with stimulating rays in a main scanning direction and moved in a sub-scanning direction, which is approximately normal to the main scanning direction. A read-out device photoelectrically detects the light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with the stimulating rays in the main scanning direction, to obtain an image signal representing the radiation image. A light guiding mirror for reflecting the emitted light toward the read-out device is located to extend in the main scanning direction at a position in the vicinity of a position on the stimulable phosphor sheet, which position is scanned with the stimulating rays in the main scanning direction. The light guiding mirror is supported by a support member, which is formed from a metallic material and is electrically isolated from a ground, or which is formed from an electrical insulating material.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet giving a high sensitivity and a high sharpness in a radiation image recording and reproducing method is composed of a stimulable phosphor-containing partition which divides the phosphor sheet along its plane into small sections, and stimulable phosphor-incorporated area which is divided with the partition and which has a reflectivity with respect to stimulating rays differing from a reflectivity with respect to the stimulating rays of the partition.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet giving a high sensitivity and a high sharpness in a radiation image recording and reproducing method is composed of a partition containing a phosphor that emits a light in a UV or visible region upon absorbing the applied radiation which divides the phosphor sheet on its plane into small sections, and stimulable phosphor-incorporated area which is divided with the partition and which has a reflectivity to stimulating rays differing from a reflectivity to the stimulating rays of the partition.

Abstract: There is described a radiation image reading apparatus, which includes a memory to memorize information regarding each of a plurality of subjects as reservation data for each subject, a plurality of slots into each of which a recording medium recording a radiation image can be loaded, a selector to select at least one reservation data for a subject from the plural reservation data, a correlating unit to correlate the selected reservation data with at least one of the plurality of slots, a registration list preparing unit to preparing a registration list based on the selected reservation data and a display to display the registration list.

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.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus for detecting radiation provided with phosphor comprises the steps of forming a phosphor layer integrally with a meshed partition plate having partitions per pixel of the semiconductor apparatus for detecting radiation, and of separating the phosphor per pixel by removing the phosphor on the partitioning portion of the partition plate by the irradiation of laser beam in the form of grooves together with the surface layer of the partitioning portions in order to make the phosphor thick to obtain a higher sensitivity, and also to make pixel pitches finer to enhance resolution, thus obtaining exact images without creating any cross talks between pixels.

Abstract: An identification station into which data identifying a medical image are input and by means of which the identification data are associated with the medical image, is provided with a speech recognition subassembly and a microphone to allow data input through speech recognition.

Abstract: Accessories for a device used for reading a latent image recorded on an image plate by means of X-radiation. The device comprises: a drum element (8), having a concave peripheral surface (7); drive means (20) for rotating (R) the drum element at such a speed that a flexible image plate (1) located inside the drum element against the peripheral surface substantially retains the shape thereof; a light source (14) for focusing a stimulating light on the image plate (1), a light detector (17) for detecting the emitted light, as well as means (27) for moving the stimulating light and the light detector relative to the image plate in a direction (M) of said axis. The accessories comprise at least two balancing blocks (4, 5), which constitute permanent parts of the drum element and are located at a distance from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A first image signal representing a radiation image of an object is obtained by exposing a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, the emitted light being detected. A second image signal representing the radiation image is thereafter obtained by again exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to stimulating rays, the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet being detected. Read-out conditions, under which the second image signal is to be obtained, and/or image processing conditions, under which the second image signal having been obtained is to be image processed, are adjusted on the basis of the first image signal. A storage device stores information representing a standard pattern of radiation images.

Abstract: A label is provided, comprising a means wherein penetrating radiation leaves a human- or machine-readable semi-permanent or permanent mark. Preferably said means is a storage phosphor. A method for using such a label for checking if an articles has been inspected by penetrating radiation and a method for using such a label as personal monitoring are also provided.

Abstract: A radiation imaging device including a photostimulable phosphor which is a glass including active cations that release light having a wavelength in the blue colour or ultra-violet region when those parts of the glass which have been stimulated by radiation, and a radiation source to irradiate the phosphor and an excitation light source to photostimulate the phosphor. The radiation source may be X-rays, .gamma.-rays, .alpha.-rays, .beta.-rays, electron beams, neutron beams, ion beams, ultra-violet rays having an energy equal to or greater than the band gap of the glass are excited by visible or infra-red light. Ce.sup.3+, Eu.sup.2+ can be used as the active cation, and are preferably included in an amount of 10 mole % or less of all the cations, and particularly preferably in an amount in the range of 0.001 to 2 mole %.

Abstract: A high resolution x-ray imaging device based on a storage phosphor layer. The storage phosphor layer is sandwiched between two arrays of electrodes. In one embodiment of the device, the arrays are orthogonal arrays of linear electrodes, one of the arrays being transparent to the phosphorescence emitted by the storage phosphor. To read a pixel of a latent image stored in the storage phosphor layer, a voltage difference is established between two crossed electrodes that exceeds the threshold voltage of the storage phosphor material. The emitted light is detected by a device such as a CCD array that has coarser resolution than the crossed electrode array: the resolution of the imaging device of the present invention is the electrode width. Preferably, the electrodes are addressed for activation by optical scanning of photoconductive strips adjacent and perpendicular to the electrodes.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel comprising a support having thereon a phosphor layer containing a binder and a stimulable phosphor, wherein, when the phosphor layer is excited by being exposed to light at a maximum excitation wavelength (.lambda.1) of the phosphor, a maximum peak intensity of instantaneous emission (Int.) emitted from the phosphor layer satisfies the following:500.ltoreq.Int..ltoreq.5000provided that the Int. is a maximum emission intensity at a wavelength within the range of 185 to 800 nm, except for wavelengths of .lambda.1 and 2.times. .lambda.1, and the Int. being expressed as a relative value, based on a peak intensity of Raman scattering of water excited with light at a wavelength of 350 nm being 1.

Abstract: A method for verifying the modulation depth of a digital radiographic read out system. The system reads a radiation image by line-wise scanning a photostimulable phosphor screen that has been exposed to the radiation image. The radiation image includes an image of a phantom that has at least one x-ray opaque grating with parallel lines and a stepwise evolving spatial frequency. SWR values are determined by analyzing the x-ray image of the phantom. These SWR values are compared with acceptance values and the results of the comparison are used to adjust the scanning read out system.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto an associated respective CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of the separate images.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image of an object has been stored, is scanned with a laser beam of a predetermined output power, which causes the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, and the emitted light is photoelectrically detected with a predetermined sampling time. A response speed r ?sec! of the stimulable phosphor constituting the stimulable phosphor sheet, the laser beam output power p ?W!, a picture element size s ?m!, and the sampling time t ?sec! are set such that they may satisfy Formulas (1), (2), and (3):r/(s.multidot.t)<5,000 (1)t/s.sup.2 <80 (2)p.multidot.t/s.sup.2 >1 (3)The radiation image having been stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet is thereby read out quickly and such that a reproduced image having good image quality may be obtained.

Abstract: By means of a read/write terminal patient identification data stored in a touch memory, an EEPROM, a bar code label or an RF tag are read or identification data are retrieved from a hospital identifictaion system (HIS). On the read/write terminal an examination type is selected from a displayed list of examination types. The patient identification data and the identifier of the selected examination type are associated, stored and transferred onto an RF tag provided on a cassette conveying a photostimulable phosphor screen or onto an RF tag that is attachable to the cassette. After exposure of the screen to X-rays, the RF tag and the photostimulable phosphor screen are read out and the radiation image read out of the screen is processed in accordance with processing parameters associated with the selected examination type.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a phosphor layer comprising a stimulable phosphor and a binder, wherein the binder comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a softening or melting point of 30.degree. to 150.degree. C . and a modulus of elasticity of not more than 0.3 kgf/mm.sup.2 is resistant to production of cracks in its repeated use in a radiation image recording and reproducing method.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is described with a transport device for conveying a cassette past a scanning and erasing station, which transport device comprises a scanning carriage (31), a carriage carrier (63) on the top surface of the carriage near its leading end, an endless belt (26) which has an upper stretch which runs through a groove in the top surface of the carriage, belt carrier device (60) on said endless belt, a coupling mechanism (64) for coupling the upper stretch of the belt to the carriage, and control unit (86, 78) for controlling the operation of said coupling mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: A radiographic image read out system having on-line performance verification. A number of parameters to be used in a test program are stored together with (a) limiting value(s) for (a) characteristic value(s) resulting from application of the test program. An image signal of a phantom is processed according to the test program to determine at least one characteristic value. At least one limiting value for each determined characteristic value is retrieved from storage and a hard copy of the image of the phantom along with the at least one characteristic value in relation to the limiting value(s) is produced.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent detecting method includes the steps of uniformly irradiating with radiation a stimulable phosphor sheet formed with a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which can store an energy of radiation and be stimulated by visible light to emit the energy of radiation in a form of light, thereby storing energy of radiation uniformly therein, selectively labeling a biopolymer with a labeling substance which can produce chemiluminescent light by contact of itself and a chemiluminescent substance, causing the biopolymer labeled with the labeling substance and the chemiluminescent substance to come into contact with each other, and exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to chemiluminescent light produced by the contact of the biopolymer labeled with the labeling substance and the chemiluminescent substance.

Abstract: A system for supplying a processed radiographic image to a remote device. The system is disclosed for supplying a radiographic image obtained by reading an exposed photostimulable phosphor screen that has been processed in a processing station to a remote device such as a display device that is connected with said processing station via a network and a distributed network filing system.

Abstract: An image plate coated with a photostimulable element and a method of testing a digital device for scanning such plate with respect to various system parameters.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel preferably employable for a double-side reading system has a colored stimulate phosphor layer in which a ratio of weight of phosphor particles to binder is so adjusted as to vary in the direction of depth of the phosphor layer under the condition that a ratio of weight of phosphor particles to binder in a portion up to 1/5 of the depth of the layer from one surface of the layer is lower than the ratio of weight of phosphor particles to binder in the phospher layer, and the portion is colored more deeply than other portion of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image plate (1) for intraoral dental radiography which can be closed within a cover through which X-rays can pass, where the plate is retained during the X-raying and from where the plate can be removed after the X-raying in order to read the picture. According to the invention the edges of the image plate (1) are equipped with a protective frame (2) projecting from the plane of the plate surface at least on the image side of the plate. The frame may be formed as a continuous cover frame (2) surrounding the edges of the frame, consisting of two opposite frame-like portions (7) pressed together and optionally identical. The purpose of the frame (2) is to protect the image plate (1) against scratches or similar damages as the plate is being handled and read.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for controlling the amount of irradiation effectively emitted by a source of penetrating radiation in a system wherein radiation emitted by said source and attenuated by an object is stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen. An indication of the effectively emitted radiation amount is obtained by means of a difference of a specific signal value and a predetermined signal value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining .beta.-ray emitters to determine radioactivity of tritium with a high sensitivity and without contamination of a radiation recording plate with radioactivity, wherein a plastic microplate is provided having a number of flat bottomed wells interconnected by a plurality of shallow vent channels having a depth ranging from about 2 mm to 6 mm formed therein. The radiation recording plate is disposed facing tile microplate through a spacer. A metal exposure container which is sealed accommodates the resulting assembly of the microplate, spacer and the radiation recording plate.

Abstract: An automated method for analyzing the photometric calibration and image quality performance characteristics of a high resolution storage phosphor reader. A custom fabricated, lead mask test target is secured to a storage phosphor and exposed using a standard medical x-ray source. A storage phosphor reader, to be calibrated, reads the exposed storage phosphor to produce a digital x-ray image. The digital x-ray image is analyzed by means of a computer algorithm which presents analytic results in text and graphical form to isolate reader problems and to quantify calibration status of the reader.

Abstract: An area detection device for use with X-ray or ultraviolet radiation wherein light from an integrating device is passed through an optical fiber to fall on a phosphor-containing film which is capable of storing a diffraction pattern formed by the transmission of X-rays or ultraviolet radiation through a sample when the diffraction pattern is projected onto the film and also being capable of fluorescing in correspondence to the diffraction pattern. Fluoresced light from the film is directed back along the fiber and into the integrating device and is fed from the integrating device to a photomultiplier which sends a signal from which the diffraction pattern can be detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a source of visible and ultraviolet radiation that provides a focused beam for performing chemical analysis of a test element having a biological fluid deposited thereon.

Abstract: A method of erasing energy stored in a photostimulable Eu.sup.2+ doped alkaline earth halide phosphor medium, wherein in said method after imagewise exposure of said medium to penetrating radiation and read out of stored energy by photostimulation with light in the wavelength range of 430 to 550 nm, said phosphor medium is exposed in a single erasure step with light mainly within the 370 to 530 nm range containing two distinct or separate emission bands, one of which is peaking at or near 400 nm and the other at or near 500 nm.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, a phosphor sheet (70), represented by the formula Gd.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Tb.sup.3+, is located facing a stimulable phosphor sheet (10) in such a manner that when it is exposed to x-rays (44) it produces fluorescence (71) having a wavelength that fall within the stimulation wavelength range of the stimulable phosphor. When the stimulable phosphor sheet (10) is exposed to the fluorescence (71), part of the energy stored on the layer of stimulable phosphor during its exposure to the x-rays (44) is released. In this manner, the stimulable phosphor sheet (10) is approximately simultaneously subjected to the operation for recording the radiation image and the operation for slightly erasing the energy store thereon during its exposure to the x-rays (44).

Abstract: Scanning apparatus for scanning a cassette of the type used form photo-stimulable phosphor luminescence (PSL) radiography that includes a rigid base plate carrying a PSL layer thereon and a cover adapted to be releasably secured to the base plate in overlying relation to the PSL layer, in which a cassette is removed one-by-one from an input stack of a number of cassettes arranged with the plates thereof in generally vertical orientation and transported to a separating station for removal of the cover, to a scanning station for scanning of a PSL image thereon, to an erasing station for erasing the scanned image, and to a re-assembly station for re-assembly of the cover and base plate, all while the base plate is maintained in generally vertical orientation and preferably is displaced only within its own plane. The re-assembled cassettes are stacked vertically in an output stack for removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: An autoradiographic gene-screening method employing a hybridization process, which comprises:(1) a step of transferring at least a portion of nucleic acids, fragments thereof or derivatives thereof resolved on a medium onto a transfer support to fix them thereonto;(2) a step of hybridizing the nucleic acids, fragments thereof or derivatives thereof fixed onto said transfer support with radioactively labeled probes; and(3) a step of obtaining locational information on the radioactively labeled substances on said transfer support, which comprises placing said transfer support having been subjected to the hybridization and a stimulable phosphor sheet in layers for a given period of time to cause said sheet to absorb at least a portion of radiation energy emitted by the radioactively labeled substances on said transfer support, exciting said stimulable phosphor sheet with an electromagnetic wave to release the radiation energy stored in said sheet as stimulated emission, and detecting the stimulated emission.

Abstract: An autoradiographic process for obtaining information on one or two dimensional location of radioactively labeled substances contained in a sample selected from the group consisting of tissue of an organism and a medium containing tissue of an organism and/or substances such as DNA originating from an organism,which comprises:placing said sample and a stimulable phosphor sheet having a phosphor layer comprising a stimulable phosphor dispersed in a binder together in layers for a certain period to cause said phosphor sheet to absorb at least a portion of radiation energy emitted by the radioactively labeled substances in said sample;scanning said phosphor sheet with an electromagnetic wave to release at least a portion of radiation energy stored in said phosphor sheet as stimulated emission; anddetecting the stimulated emission to obtain locational information on the radioactively labeled substances in the sample.