Abstract: A device for reading flexible storage foils. The devices includes a foil support, a reading light source which provides a reading light beam which has a wave length suitable to excite metastable storage centers of the storage foil. Drive mechanisms are employed to provide relative movement between the reading light beam and the storage foil. A light detector is responsive to fluorescence light of the storage foil generated by the reading light beam.

Abstract: A method of reading a radiation image converting panel whereby pillar-shaped stimulatable fluorescent substances formed on a supporting member by deposition are excited by irradiating excitation light to a surface of the radiation image converting panel on which radiation energy has been stored and recorded by irradiation of the radiation; emitting the radiation energy as photostimulated fluorescent light; and reading out the photostimulated fluorescent light photoelectrically from both surfaces of the radiation image converting panel.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: A digital image signal is read out at a predetermined picture element density by causing a light beam to repeatedly scan a recording medium bearing thereon an image in a main scanning direction at a predetermined main scanning speed while moving the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction at a predetermined sub-scanning speed, thereby two-dimensionally scanning the recording medium with the light beam, photoelectrically detecting signal light emitted from the recording medium upon exposure to the light beam to obtain an analog image signal, sampling the analog image signal at a predetermined intervals, and quantizing the sampled values.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser source, a stage on which an image carrier can be placed, a light detector for detecting light released from the image carrier, and an optical head for condensing the laser beam emitted from the laser source onto the image carrier and condensing light released from the image carrier to lead it to the light detector and being two-dimensionally movable parallel to the stage, and a perforated mirror formed with a hole at a center portion thereof, and fixed in a path of the laser beam so that the laser beam can pass through the hole and light released from the image carrier and condensed by the optical head can be reflected thereby in such a manner that a path of the light is branched off from the path of the laser beam.

Abstract: A radiation image data readout apparatus in which read out is performed so that a detected light quantity for each CCD element of each CCD sensor is set at a quantity below the saturation charge quantity of each CCD element, and the level of noise is reduced. The radiation energy stored on a readout-line of a stimulable phosphor sheet is estimated, and based on the estimated quantity of radiation energy, a controller sets the readout conditions, which are formed of the charge accumulation time of the readout line and the binning conditions, and readout is performed by a line sensor according to these conditions.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel has a stimulable phosphor layer which is parted into a plurality of cells regularly arranged at least in a main scanning direction by a partition wall and has been exposed to a radiation bearing a radiation image of an object. The radiation image conversion panel is scanned by a stimulating light beam in the main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction and stimulated emission emitted from the radiation image conversion panel upon stimulation by the stimulating light beam is photoelectrically detected to make up an analog image signal and a digital image signal representing a radiation image of the object is obtained by digitizing the analog image signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for radiographic image includes a plurality of light emitting diodes two of which produce light in the optical or visible wavelengths, another one of which produces light in an infrared wavelength so that pumping light can be supplied to a variety of radiographic substrate media. The pumping light is supplied to the medium by a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array as the medium is scanned beneath the fibers. A second plurality of linear optical fibers picks up phosphorescent emissions from the radiographic medium due to the pumping light excitation and supplies the emissions to a photodiode or other optical receiver where the light intensity is translated into an electrical signal. The signal is sent to a processor which generates an image signal. The image signal may then be converted into an image representative of the latent x-ray image on the radiographic medium.

Abstract: A medical image reading apparatus comprises a controller to conduct an operation control on one of a first operation mode to execute reading a medical image after order information with regard to the reading the medical image is inputted and a second operation mode to execute reading a medical image before the order information with regard to the reading the medical image is inputted; and a reader to conduct the reading the medical image based on the operation control by the controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiographically imaging elongated objects comprising: a vertical main frame; a base mounted on said main frame; a first support on said base for supporting a first cassette containing a first storage phosphor imaging plate; a door hingedly mounted on said base for movement between open and closed positions; said door having a light-tight enclosure for supporting a second cassette containing a second storage phosphor imaging plate removably mounted within a cassette shell; and a first mechanism for removing said cassette shell from said second storage phosphor imaging plate which remains supported within said light-tight enclosure; such that, when said door is in said closed position, said second storage phosphor imaging plate overlaps said first storage phosphor imaging plate, whereby an elongated object can be radigraphically imaged onto said overlapping first and second storage phosphor imaging plates.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a phosphor layer which is composed of a phosphor having a matrix component and an activator component is prepared by the steps of forming on a substrate a lower prismatic crystalline layer composed of the matrix component by vapor deposition; and forming on the lower prismatic crystalline layer an upper prismatic crystalline layer composed of the matrix component and the activator component by vapor deposition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reading a latent image stored on a storage layer radiation screen, the apparatus comprising: a light source adapted to provide excitation light across a width of a storage layer radiation screen; and an excitation and image acquisition station comprising a mechanism for shaping the excitation light as an elongated region of excitation light across the width of the screen, optics for collecting a region of light emitted by a lateral strip of the screen excited by the elongated region of excitation light, and an elongated pixelated sensor array positioned to capture from the optics the region of light emitted by the screen; wherein the latent image stored on the screen is read by collecting and capturing light emitted from the screen as the screen moves past the excitation and image acquisition station.

Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus which provides the option of selecting whether or not radiation energy is to be erased after readout thereof has been performed, which is provided with a readout portion for reading out the image data of a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet, and an erasing means for erasing the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after readout therefrom has been performed. The apparatus also has a mode input switch for selecting and inputting the desired readout mode from among the three choices of readout-and-erase mode, readout only mode, and erase only mode, and a control means for controlling the readout means and the erasing means according to the mode that has been selected and input.

Abstract: A radiation image that has been stored in photostimulable phosphor screen comprising a divalent europium activated cesium halide is read out by stimulating the phosphor screen by means of stimulating radiation, detecting light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation and converting the detected light into a signal representation of said radiation image. After read out the phosphor screen is erased by exposing it to erasing light emitted by at least one electroluminescent lamp or by an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus provided with a reader for reading a radiation image irradiated onto a radiation image converting medium and for obtaining image information; a first inputting device for inputting a first instruction to inhibit the image information from being outputted to an external apparatus; and a second inputting device for inputting a second instruction to output the image information to the external apparatus; when the first inputting device inputs the first instruction to inhibit, even if the second inputting device inputs the second instruction to output, the image information is not outputted to the external apparatus.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel composed of a substrate and a phosphor film of an europium activated cesium bromide phosphor containing an europium element at an atomic ratio in the range of 0.0001 to 0.01 in terms of Eu/Cs and having been formed by vapor deposition shows specifically high sensitivity. The phosphor film is favorably deposited on the substrate by electron beam-evaporation method using plural evaporation sources.

Abstract: When processing a radiation image, an image signal representing a radiation image and a prospective irradiation field information representing a prospective irradiation field of the radiation image are obtained in an image information obtaining section. The prospective irradiation field information is transferred to an image output section attached to the radiation image signal or separately therefrom. An image processing to make the image in the prospective irradiation field more suitable for viewing on the transferred image signal is carried out in the image output section on the basis of the transferred prospective irradiation field information, and a radiation image is output on the basis of the processed image signal.

Abstract: Stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projector onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet. The stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed in a read-out position, and the radiation image is read out while the stimulating light projector and the line sensor are being moved relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) which includes a shielding device (22), and an X-ray cassette and an X-ray table for use with the apparatus, are disclosed. The shielding device (22) serves to shield a reader device (10) from an information recording beam (25). The reader device (10) includes a receptor (12) to receive emission radiation (17) that contains an image of the information recorded in the memory layer (15). Instead of the shielding device (22), it is also possible to provide a converter (29) that serves to convert an information-recording beam (25) into converted radiation (28) that possesses less energy than the information recording beam (25).

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor film in which acicular particles of stimulable phosphor having an aspect ratio of 1.5 or more are oriented in the direction of depth of the phosphor film gives a reproduced radiation image having increased sharpness when it is employed in a radiation image recording and reproducing method.

Abstract: The gain correction image is composed of a grid-free image regardless of the presence or absence of the grid or the kind thereof. The gain correction images are stored in the image memory unit, and, under the control of the pre-process unit and according to the result of the grid detection means, reference is made to the image process parameter table stored in the image process parameter memory unit and the matching gain correction image is downloaded from the image memory unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a stage on which an image carrier can be placed, a scanning mechanism for scanning the image carrier with the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source, thereby stimulating the image carrier with the laser beam, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the image carrier, and an optical head for leading the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source to the image carrier, irradiating the image carrier with the laser beam and leading light emitted from the image carrier to the light detector, the optical head being constituted so as to lead light emitted from a point of the image carrier located upstream of a point of the image carrier onto which the laser beam impinges with respect to a direction of scanning with the laser beam.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, and light emitted from the linear area of the sheet upon stimulation is photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. Outputs of several pixel regions of the line sensor, which are adjacent to one another along the length direction of the linear area of the sheet and have widths taken in the length direction of the linear area of the sheet such that a sum of the widths is equal to the width of one pixel in a final image, are added together in order to constitute an image signal component representing one pixel in the final image.

Abstract: A method for producing biochemical analysis data includes the steps of collecting light selectively released from a plurality of light releasable regions two-dimensionally formed to be spaced apart from each other in a sample placed on a sample stage by a plurality of light guide member each of which is disposed to face one of the plurality of light releasable regions, leading the thus collected light to a light detector and photoelectrically detecting the light by the light detector. According to this method, it is possible to produce biochemical analysis data having high quantitative characteristics by photoelectrically detecting light emitted from a plurality of light releasable regions even in the case where the plurality of light releasable regions labeled with a labeling substance are formed in a sample at a high density.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, a stimulable phosphor sheet storing thereon a radiation image is exposed to stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation by the stimulating light is detected and an image signal representing the radiation image stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet is obtained by photoelectrically converting the stimulated emission. A read-out system includes an array of a plurality of read-out heads, each including a stimulating light source which projects the stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet and a photodetector which detects the stimulated emission. A conveyor system conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet and the read-out system relative to each other in a direction intersecting the direction of the array of the read-out heads.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: A method for reproducing a radiation image is performed by the steps of: irradiating a radiation image storage panel having a pair of transparent films and a stimulable phosphor layer arranged between them and having a radiation image recorded in the phosphor layer, with stimulating rays to release radiation energy of the radiation image as light emission; photoelectrically detecting the light emission from both sides of the radiation image storage panel to obtain electric signals; and electrically processing these electric signals to reproduce the radiation image. The stimulable phosphor layer of the radiation image storage panel is composed of a binder and stimulable phosphor particles wherein at least 50% of said stimulable phosphor particles have an aspect ration of 1.0 to 1.5.

Abstract: The radiation image reading apparatus includes a reading device of a radiation image recorded in a radiation recording medium, a dose detecting device which detects a dose of radiation applied to record the radiation image, and a computing device by which linearity in radiation image reading is calculated using a plurality of radiation images with varying doses of radiation that have been read, and using detected doses of radiation applied to record the respective radiation images. The radiation image reading method is executed in the apparatus. The apparatus and method can check its linearity by a simple procedure and can adjust the linearity in accordance with the result of checking. The apparatus and method enable consistent outputting of satisfactory diagnostic images with the appropriate contrast. Therefore, the apparatus and method are suitable for use with a radiation imaging system typically using a phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel superior in luminance and sharpness is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor and a protective layer, wherein the stimulable phosphor layer exhibits a density of not less than 3.00 g/cm3, the stimulable phosphor layer being provided between the support and the protective layer.

Abstract: A radiation image detector wherein a photostimulable phosphor screen, a source of stimulating light and an array of transducer elements are enclosed within an enclosure that is hermetically closed against humidity. In one embodiment the enclosure is flushed with an inert gas such as N2 gas.

Abstract: A process for recording a radiation image on a radiation image storage panel containing stimulable phosphor particles and then reproducing the radiation image by the double side reading system is favorably performed employing a radiation image storage panel containing stimulable phosphor particles in which the stimulable phosphor particles vary in their mean particle sizes in the depth direction of the storage panel in such manner that the mean particle size on one surface side is smaller than the mean particle size on the other surface side, preferably under the condition that stimulating rays are applied onto the storage panel on the surface side having the phosphor particles of the smaller mean particle size to excite the phosphor particles in the storage panel.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic installation has a storage luminescent screen for the latent storage of an X-ray image, an X-ray exposure unit for generating an X-ray beam, a readout system for causing the storage luminescent screen to luminesce by being scanned with a radiation source, a detector for acquiring the light emitted by the storage luminescent screen, and an image playback system. In a first operating mode, the X-ray exposure unit produces X-ray images with a first dose and the readout system implements a fast readout of the image area of the storage luminescent screen with low resolution. In a second operating mode, the X-ray exposure unit produces X-ray images in a limited region with a higher dose compared to the first dose, and this region of the image area of the storage luminescent screen is read out with high resolution.

Abstract: A method for reading a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet composed of a substrate and a stimulable phosphor layer containing a latent radiation image by as of a radiation image-reading means having a stimulating light-applying unit and a stimulated emission-collecting unit having a lens and a stimulated emission-receiving plane, which is performed by the steps of applying a stimulating light onto the phosphor layer under the condition that the phosphor sheet moves along its sheet plane in relation to the stimulated emission-collecting unit; collecting a stimulated emission emitting from the area onto which the stimulating light is applied on the emission-receiving plane through the lens; and photoelectrically converting the collected emission into electric signals in the stimulated emission-collecting unit, is improved by moving the stimulable phosphor sheet in relation to the emission-collecting unit under the condition that the stimulating light-applied area of the stimulable phosphor layer is

Abstract: A method for reading radiation image information from a radiation image storage panel in which a radiation image information is recorded is performed by the steps of moving the storage panel on a plane of the storage panel with scanning on the storage panel in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the storage panel a pulse of stimulating light having a duty of 0.01 to 0.5; continuously detecting photoelectrically a stimulated emission appearing from the storage panel on the scanned surface and/or its back surface to obtain electric signals; sampling the electric signals at a timing synchronous with the scanned stimulating light pulse; and obtaining signals of the radiation image information from the sampled electric signals.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite image from first and second digital images formed by recording first and second contiguous segments of a larger radiographic image in first and second overlapping storage phosphor members, exposed to a source of X-rays wherein the image content in the overlapped region is the same in both images and the end edge of the first member is present both on the first image and as a shadow edge in the second image, the method comprising: correcting for geometric distortion in the first and second digital images; determining any rotational displacement and any vertical displacement between the first and second images by matching the first member end edge in the first image to its shadow in the second image; correcting for image orientation based on any said rotational displacement; determining any horizontal displacement between the first and second images by correlating the image content in the overlapped region of the first and second images; and stitching said first and second images

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having rigidity, which is provided with a stimulable phosphor layer and on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause the radiation image storage panel to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The light emitted from a front surface of the radiation image storage panel and the light emitted from a back surface of the radiation image storage panel are photoelectrically converted into image signals respectively. The radiation image storage panel may comprise a transparent substrate having rigidity and the stimulable phosphor layer overlaid on the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a dose of penetrating radiation absorbed by an object, including the steps of providing the object with a device for absorbing penetrating radiation, including a storage phosphor for storing energy from the penetrating radiation; at predetermined intervals, coupling the storage phosphor to a source of stimulation light in such a way that the stimulation light impinges on the phosphor; activating the source of stimulation light so as to cause the storage phosphor to emit an amount of fluorescent light in proportion to an amount of stored energy; reading the amount of fluorescent light and converting it into an electric signal value; storing electric signal value(s) obtained at the predetermined intervals and processing them so as to evaluate a total amount of radiation absorbed by the object; comparing the total amount with a predefined threshold value for obtaining a difference value; and displaying the difference value on a decentralized display.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus including a lens array and a line sensor for reading an image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet provides a read-out image of high quality which is free from a spurious pattern due to non-aperture regions of the lens array. A first memory stores an image signal representing the image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Spurious pattern signal calculating means calculates a spurious pattern signal based on positions of the non-aperture regions on the lens array. The spurious pattern signal is stored in a second memory. Image modification means reads the image signal and the spurious pattern signal from the first and second memories to calculate a processed image signal free from any spurious pattern signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The spurious pattern signal may instead be obtained by causing the apparatus to read a uniform radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite image from first and second digital images formed by recording first and second contiguous segments of a larger radiographic image in first and second overlapping storage phosphor members, exposed to a source of X-rays wherein the image content in the overlapped region is the same in both images and the end edge of the first member is present both on the first image and as a shadow edge in the second image, the method comprising: correcting for geometric distortion in the first and second digital images, determining any rotational displacement and any vertical displacement between the first and second images by matching the first member end edge in the first image to its shadow in the second image; correcting for image orientation based on any said rotational displacement; determining any horizontal displacement between the first and second images by correlating the image content in the overlapped region of the first and second images; and stitching said first and second images

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a support sheet and a phosphor layer formed on a surface of the support sheet by vapor-accumulating method, the phosphor layer is composed of prismatic crystals of phosphor aligned in the same direction, and each of the crystals has a convex surface at one end. The radiation image storage panel is favorably employed in combination with a line sensor in a radiation image recording and reproducing method.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. Light emitted from the exposed linear area of the sheet is received with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along each of a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet and a direction normal to the length direction. The sheet is moved with respect to the line light source and the line sensor and in a direction different from the length direction of the linear area of the sheet. Operation processing is performed on outputs of the photoelectric conversion devices, which outputs have been obtained at respective positions of movement and correspond to an identical site on the sheet.

Abstract: The gain correction image is composed of a grid-free image regardless of the presence or absence of the grid or the kind thereof. The gain correction images are stored in the image memory unit, and, under the control of the pre-process unit and according to the result of the grid detection means, reference is made to the image process parameter table stored in the image process parameter memory unit and the matching gain correction image is downloaded from the image memory unit.

Abstract: A radiation image information recording/reading apparatus for detecting phosphorescent light from a side opposite of radiation irradiation on a stimulable phosphor sheet is downsized. The radiation image information recording/reading apparatus comprises an image recording unit for recording radiation image information on the sheet by irradiating the radiation representing image information on the sheet, an excitation light main scan means for main scan of the sheet by excitation light, photoelectric detection means for detecting the phosphorescent light emitted from the sheet, vertical scan means, and erasing means for releasing residual energy from the sheet prior to recording another image on the sheet after reading the information from the sheet. In the apparatus, the excitation light main scan means comprises a linear light source emitting the excitation light in the form of fan beams, and the photoelectric detection means comprises a line sensor.

Abstract: An infrared imager, such as a spectrometer, includes multiple infrared photodetectors and readout circuits for reading out signals from the photodetectors. Each readout circuit includes a buffered direct injection input circuit including a differential amplifier with active feedback provided through an injection transistor. The differential amplifier includes a pair of input transistors, a pair of cascode transistors and a current mirror load. Photocurrent from a photodetector can be injected onto an integration capacitor in the readout circuit with high injection efficiency at high speed. A high speed, low noise, wide dynamic range linear infrared multiplexer array for reading out infrared detectors with large capacitances can be achieved even when short exposure times are used. The effect of image lag can be reduced.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided to obtain automated, rapid and sensitive scanning of substrate fluorescence, optical density or phosphorescence. The scanner uses a constant path length optical train, which enables the combination of a moving beam for high speed scanning with phase-sensitive detection for noise reduction, comprising a light source, a scanning mirror to receive light from the light source and sweep it across a steering mirror, a steering mirror to receive light from the scanning mirror and reflect it to the substrate, whereby it is swept across the substrate along a scan arc, and a photodetector to receive emitted or scattered light from the substrate, wherein the optical path length from the light source to the photodetector is substantially constant throughout the sweep across the substrate. The optical train can further include a waveguide or mirror to collect emitted or scattered light from the substrate and direct it to the photodetector.

Abstract: Method for reading a radiation image recorded two-dimensionally in an imaging plate using stimulable phospor as a radiation detecting medium. The image in the imaging plate is read rapidly and continuously as the plate is illuminated with radiation, and therefore is useful in understanding dynamic events based on rapid processing and real-time radiation image detection. Also, apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10,60) for reading out information stored in a phosphor carrier (15) and to an X-ray cassette (70) which contains the phosphor carrier (15) and such a device. The inventive device (10,60) has a radiation source (11;20, . . . ,29,30 . . . 39; 50,53;61) that can emit a first radiation source (16) with which the phosphor carrier (15) can be exited such that the carrier emits a second radiation (17). This second radiation (17) comprises an image of the information stored in the phosphor carrier (15). The device (10,60) additionally has a receiving means (12,62) which contains a number of point elements (PD1, . . . PDn) in order to receive the second radiation (17) emitted from the phosphor carrier (15) in a point-by-point manner. The second radiation of a point of the phosphor carrier (15) can thus be received by each one of the point elements (PD1, . . . ,PDn).

Abstract: A radiation image reading system, comprises a plurality of reading apparatus to read a radiation image and to produce image data; and an information transmitting apparatus to transmit information regarding a patient to at least a reading apparatus of the plurality of reading apparatus; wherein when the information regarding the patient transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus is canceled, the information regarding the patient is transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus to another reading apparatus other than the reading apparatus to which the information regarding the patient was firstly transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading a radiographic image is provided with a holding section for holding a medium taken out from a cassette, wherein the medium has a recording surface on which the radiographic image is stored, the hold section holding the medium such that the orientation of the recording surface is substantially vertical; and a reading section for reading the radiographic image on the recording surface of the medium held by the holding section, thereby obtaining radiographic image information from the recording surface.

Abstract: A system for scanning an imaging plate, comprising: a continuous belt drive; a first scanning head mounted to the belt drive; a second scanning head mounted to the belt drive; and a laser positioned to direct a laser beam in a beam path across the imaging plate, wherein the continuous belt drive is positioned to sequentially move each of the first and second scanning heads in a path collinear with the laser beam path when moving across the imaging plate.