Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, and light emitted by the sheet is detected with a CCD line sensor comprising photoelectric converting sections arrayed along the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays. Accumulated electric charges obtained from each set of n number of the photoelectric converting sections adjacent to one another are read together. The accumulated electric charges, which have thus been read together from the set of the photoelectric converting sections, are taken as an image signal component corresponding to one pixel. The value of n is set in accordance with image recording information and/or diagnostic information.

Abstract: A device (1) and a method for reading information stored in a phosphor layer (10) is disclosed. The device (1) includes a transparent carrier material (9) on which the phosphor layer (10) to be read is disposed. A radiation source (2) emits an excitation radiation (20) to excite the phosphor layer (10), which in turn emits an emission radiation (26). The emission radiation (26) can be received by a receiver (3). The radiation source (2) is arranged on one side of the transparent carrier material (9), whereas the receiver (3) is arranged on the other side of the transparent carrier material (9), thereby defining an optical path between the radiation source (2) and the receiver (3). According to the invention, a reflective layer (21, 22; 30, 31, 32) for reflecting at least a portion of the excitation radiation (20) is arranged in the optical path.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a surface of a stimulable phosphor sheet, light emitted by the sheet is collected with a light collecting optical system, and the collected light is detected with a line sensor. An end face of an optical device constituting the light collecting optical system, which end face stands facing the sheet, is formed into a shape such that the stimulating rays, which have been reflected from the surface of the sheet, are reflected by the end face toward the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays or toward a region of the sheet, which region is located more forward, with respect to a sub-scanning direction, than the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

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: A double-sided stimulable phosphor sheet, which emits light from both sides thereof when exciting light is applied to a recording surface thereof, is fed in an auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow A by first and second roller pairs. First and second guide members are disposed on the side of the reverse surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, for guiding the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a glass guide is disposed on the side of the reverse surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet in a position where a laser beam is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet. The first and second guide members and the glass guide are integrally mounted on a guide mount. Radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet can efficiently be read highly accurately without damage being caused to the stimulable phosphor sheet.

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

Abstract: 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. Light, which is emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is received and photo electrically converted by a line sensor. The line sensor comprises a pair of one-dimensional CCD image sensors. Light receiving regions of the one-dimensional CCD image sensors are located close to each other with respect to a direction normal to the length direction of the linear area of the sheet and with a fine gap intervening between the light receiving regions.

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: 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: An image reading apparatus comprises at least one laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from an image carrier upon an excitation by the laser beam. The light detector can detect light having wavelength shorter than 700 nm with high sensitivity. The apparatus further comprises a filter provided in front of the light detector that is made of a material to able cut light having wavelength of the laser stimulating ray and emits a fluorescent light having a peak wavelength equal to or longer than 700 nm upon excitation by the laser stimulating ray. According to the thus-constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to read fluorescent images with high sensitivity.

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: In a two-side radiation image reading method wherein a stimulable phosphor sheet storing a radiation image is scanned by stimulating rays and light emitted from the front and back sides of the sheet is photoelectrically detected by photoelectric reading means separately located on the front and back sides of the sheet to obtain two image signals representing the radiation image to be subjected to addition processing or the like for obtaining a final image, shading correction data and/or fading correction data are obtained in advance and shading correction and/or fading correction is carried out on the image signals by using the correction data having been obtained. While an area equivalent to one side of the stimulable phosphor sheet (whose number of main scan lines is 4320) is being scanned, reading of the sheet is switched between the front and back sides and sensitivity of photoelectric reading means is also changed (to standard, semi-high, and high).

Abstract: A compact apparatus for reading a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen comprises an array of transducer elements, e.g. avalanche photodiodes, and electronic circuitry for integrating the signal of each of the transducer elements that are illuminated by the light emitted by a pixel of the screen upon stimulation of that pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out a storage luminophore plate has a holder for the storage luminophore plate as well as for a detector line, and a device for setting the spacing between the storage luminophore plate and the detector line such that this spacing is controlled or regulated to be substantially constant with reference to the storage luminophore plate, at least over the region of the detector line.

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: 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: In a radiation image acquisition apparatus that obtains a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor layer having a plurality of arranged cells, the quantity of stimulated emissions from the stimulable phosphor within each cell is obtained precisely for each cell as a digital image signal. A radiation image conversion panel comprising a phosphor layer formed of multiple cells filled with stimulable phosphor having recorded on the surface thereof a radiation image is scanned with a stimulating light beam by a scanning unit, and the stimulated emissions caused thereby are photoelectrically detected as an analog image signal by a photoelectrical amplifier. The signal component representing the partition walls is recognized, and the component of the analog image signal obtained between the recognized signal components representing the cell partition walls is digitized and a digital image signal is obtained.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, the line sensor has a light receiving face whose width in the transverse direction of the line portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the line stimulating beam is such that 30% to 90% of the amount of stimulated emission corresponding to a part of the stimulated emission spreading beyond the width of the line stimulating light beam as measured on the plane of the light receiving face of the stimulated emission detecting means can be received by the light receiving face in addition to the amount of stimulated emission corresponding to the width of the line stimulating light beam.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a central, longitudinal axis, the interior of which forms a concave surface for intimate contact with a medium for recording and/or readout, a support structure forming a transport for translational movement along the axis, a light source mounted on the transport for movement therewith and for providing a beam capable of being directed along the axis, and a slanted mirror, angled 45 degrees with respect to the axis and mounted on the transport for translational movement therewith and for rotational spinning around the axis. The beam from the light source is reflected 90 degrees from along the axis along a radial to the medium and the rotation and translation cause the beam to scan the medium such that the rotating light beam is at all times perpendicular to the medium at the point of contact of the beam with the medium.

Abstract: An image recording sheet and a solid-state image detector are used. The sheet has a stimulable phosphor layer laminated on a base, and the solid-state image detector includes a photoconductive layer containing amorphous selenium as its main component and electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the photoconductive layer. An electric field is applied across the photoconductive layer so that avalanche amplification is obtained within the photoconductive layer. The sheet is scanned under the electric field with stimulating light of wavelength of about 600 nm, and photostimulated luminescence light of wavelength of about 400 nm emitted from the fluorescent layer is incident on the photoconductive layer via an optical guide and a stimulating light cut filter. Electric charge generated within the photoconductive layer is detected by a current detecting circuit, whereby a radiation image signal is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of inspecting influence of stray light which occurs in a radiation image reader. The inspection method comprises the steps of: preparing a storable fluorescent inspection sheet that has stored and recorded a radiation inspection image which has a density pattern in which one or more low-density and high-density regions having a contrast difference of at least 1:20 are arrayed in a horizontal scanning direction; obtaining an image inspection signal representing the radiation inspection image, by photelectrically reading the radiation inspection image from the storable fluorescent inspection sheet; and inspecting the influence of stray light, based on an image reproduced from the image inspection signal.

Abstract: An image signal representing radiation image information on an object stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet is read out by scanning the stimulable phosphor sheet with a stimulating light beam and photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof by a photodetector having a photoelectric surface. A variable transmittance medium whose transmittance to the light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof is variable continuously or stepwise is inserted into the optical path of the light between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the photoelectric surface of the photodetector The transmittance of the variable transmittance medium is changed according to the amount of light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof so that the photoelectric surface is not saturated by an excessive amount of light impinging thereupon.

Abstract: A read out apparatus is disclosed for reading a radiation image. The apparatus has an array of imaging elements for detecting the radiation image and for converting the image into a charge representation . Charge integrating means are coupled to the array of imaging elements for integrating a detected amount of charge The charge storage capacity of the charge integrating means is adjusted in accordance with the expected charge amount.

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: Disclosed is a system for and method of reading out a storage phosphor screen (or a storage phosphor sheet or an imaging plate) sensitive to radiation in which, in performing a radiography by using the storage phosphor screen, the storage phosphor screen is stimulated optically to induce luminescence according to a response to radiation to acquire a digital image of a subject from the storage phosphor screen by using a semiconductor light source array as a stimulating light source to which an optical fiber array consisting of a bundle of optical fibers having a diverse forms is connected; a starting of the semiconductor light source array is controlled with an electric pulse; and a semiconductor light source array starting pulse for generating a stimulating light is interlocked with a photomultiplier tube for collecting a luminescence light signal induced from the storage phosphor screen by the stimulating light to represent the collected luminescence light as distribution of a two-dimensional position to acq

Abstract: A multiple-head scanning device (20) for reading an image stored on a photostimulable phosphor storage screen (10), comprising, a rotatable frame having a center (13) and an outer perimeter (15); a photomultiplier tube (40) mounted to the rotatable frame at a location proximal the center (13) of the rotatable frame; a plurality of radially extending optical trains (12) mounted to the rotatable frame at 120 degrees to one another, each optical train (12) configured to direct incident laser light towards phosphor storage screen (10) and to direct response radiation emitted by phosphor storage (10) screen in response to the incident laser light towards the photomultiplier tube (40).

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: An X-Ray cassette (1) and a device (10) for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) are disclosed. This device (10) contains a radiation source (11) to excite a row (34) of the memory layer (15). The row (34) emits an emission radiation (17) because of this excitation. The device (10) based on the invention contains a receptor (12) to receive the emission radiation (17). The receptor (12) includes a number of light-sensitive surfaces (18) that are arranged in adjacent rows. According to the invention, the dimension of the light-sensitive surfaces (18) of the receptor (12) arranged perpendicular to the orientation (A) of the rows (34) is greater than that oriented along the row direction (B). Alternatively or additionally, the device can include an optical projector (14) by means of which the emission radiation (17) is projected onto the receptor (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the read-out of a latent image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet (1) by, for example, X-ray radiation. The apparatus comprises: a drum member (8) having a cylindrical circumferential surface; rotation means (22) for rotating (R) the drum member around the axis (3); means for maintaining the phosphor sheet (1) of a flexible material in the shape of the circumferential surface; a light source (4) for aiming stimulating light (6) at the phosphor surface (2); a photodetector (7) for detecting the light emitted from the phosphor surface under the effect of stimulation; and members (21) for moving (M), relative to the phosphor sheet, the stimulating light beam and the photodetector in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays. Light emitted from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet and light emitted from the back surface are detected with two photoelectric read-out devices located on the opposite surface sides of the sheet. Two image signals having thus been obtained are added in predetermined addition ratios w1 and w2.

Abstract: A image recording and reading system is constituted by the combination of a stimulable phosphor sheet formed with, on one side thereof, a first stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which can store radiation energy and electron beam energy and release the stored radiation energy and the stored electron beam energy in the form of light upon being excited with an electromagnetic wave and formed with, on the other side, a second stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which can store the energy of visible light and release the stored energy of the visible light in the form of light upon being excited with an electromagnetic wave, and an image reading apparatus including a first stimulating ray source capable of exciting the stimulable phosphor contained in the first stimulable phosphor layer, a second stimulating ray source capable of exciting the stimulable phosphor contained in the second stimulable phosphor layer, a light detector for photoelectrically receiving stimula

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 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: Wide angle, limited rotation, on-axis scanning with a micro lens that preferably is aspheric. Predetermined defocusing of some wavelengths relative to others in opposite sense to chromatic aberration of a micro lens, enable focus by the micro lens of multiple wavelengths on the same point. Data collection in a rotary, on-axis scanner is controlled by detecting the actual position of the rotating structure. Scan efficiency of an on-axis limited rotation lens is improved by coordinated deflection of the light path to different portions of the lens. A flexure-mounted dither mirror effectively makes this correction. Interpolation of arcuate scan data to a raster pattern is achieved by timing the data sampling to correspond with rows of the raster pattern; averaging the straddling data points in the column results in fast, economical interpolation. High speed, limited rotation scanning microscopes operating in transmission and reflectance modes are described, as well as very efficient fluorescence readers.

Abstract: An integrating optical collector with a diffusely reflective interior surface and with at least one wavelength selective absorptive filter located therein in a position that nearly bisects the interior of the collector. The filters are highly transmissive in a first wavelength band corresponding to an emission band of a storage phosphor, but highly absorptive in a second wavelength band corresponding to a stimulation band of the phosphor. The filter's wavelength selective properties and nearly bisecting position in the collector minimizes re-illumination of a phosphor at the stimulation wavelength, while permitting efficient radiation collection and detection at the emission wavelengths. A cylindrical collector with two parallel lengthwise slits permitting passage of the scan beam to the phosphor surface is preferred. Two filter plates on opposite sides of the slit may be used, which can either be parallel to each other and to the slits or oriented at an angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes three laser stimulating ray sources for emitting a laser beam, a laser beam scanner for scanning the laser beam, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from an image carrier carrying an image, a scan starting point detector for detecting the laser beam and detecting a scan starting point in a main scanning direction, a laser power adjuster for adjusting power of the laser beam to be projected onto the image carrier in accordance with the kind of the image carrier and a gain switch for switching gain of the scan starting point detector in accordance with the kind of the laser beam and the kind of the image carrier.

Abstract: A pixel density detector includes a cylinder (1) having a characteristic of catching incident light, an entrance window (2) provided in a shape of a slit in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder (1), and 2 pieces of light detecting device (4) disposed at a prescribed internal on the cylinder (1) at a prescribed angle against the entrance window (2).

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm or 635 nm, a second laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 470 to 480 nm, a laser beam scanning device for scanning the laser beam, at least one light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from an image carrier carrying an image, and at least one filter member disposed in front of the light detector and having a plurality of filters for transmitting light of different wavelengths. The thus constituted image reading apparatus can be used for a radiation diagnosis system, an autoradiographic system, an electron microscope detecting system and a radiation diffraction image detecting system using a stimulable phosphor and a fluorescence detecting system and an image can be read with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an electrical representation of a radiation image by means of at least one CCD sensor. A stimulable phosphor plate, the area of which is divided into at least two different portions, is exposed to a radiation image. Each of the portions is stimulated by light guided from a light source, the light having a wavelength within the stimulating wavelength range of the phosphor on the plate and causing the phosphor plate to emit stimulated light. The stimulated light from each phosphor plate portion is guided to at least one two-dimensional CCD sensor kept in a static position relative to the phosphor plate portion, such that the CCD detects the stimulated light. The detected stimulated light is converted into an electrical representation of the plate portion, and the electrical representation of each of the different plate portions is combined to form an electrical representation of the radiation image.

Abstract: An X-ray image detector has been disclosed comprising X-ray sensitive storage means for storing an X-ray image, which storage means emit image-wise modulated light when being stimulated, and a two-dimensional position sensitive gaseous photon detector. An image stored by the detector is read by line-wise stimulation of the X-ray sensitive storage means followed by measurement of the charges generated by the gaseous photon detector.

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 method and apparatus for reading a latent image stored in a photo-stimulated luminescence imaging plate by scanning the imaging plate with a focussed beam of light of a first wavelength to stimulate the stored image to emit light of a second wavelength; collecting the light emitted by the imaging plate; and directing the collected light to a light detector which converts the collected light to electrical signals. The light emitted by the imaging plate is collected by a non-imaging optical system which includes a dichroic mirror selectively directing light of the second wavelength to the light detector and light of the first wavelength away from the light detector.

Abstract: A method for reading an electron beam image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen wherein the photostimulable phosphor screen is scanned with stimulating radiation and wherein light emitted upon stimulation is converted in to a digital image signal. Enhanced sensitivity is obtained by heating the screen in between exposure to the electron beam image and stimulation of the screen.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes at least two laser stimulating ray sources for emitting laser beams having different wavelengths, a laser beam scanner for scanning an image carrier carrying an image with the laser beam emitted from a selected one of the laser stimulating ray sources and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from the image carrier, the laser beam scanner being provided with a laser beam transmission portion for transmitting the laser beam therethrough. The image reading apparatus further includes a mirror for reflecting light released from the image carrier to lead it to the light detector. According to the thus constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to be used for a radiation diagnosis system, an autoradiographic system, an electron microscope detecting system and a radiation diffraction image detecting system using a stimulable phosphor and a fluorescence detecting system and accurately reading an image with a simple structure.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting an image on a phosphorescent foil has two light conductors which lead to a common photomultiplier. The light conductors are spaced from one another by a small gap which allows a laser beam to pass between the conductors and excite the foil. The light conductors have flat end faces for the admission of light into the conductors, and the end faces are directed towards the foil as well as the gap. The end faces make an angle of 10 to 30 degrees with the foil. The light conductors are designed so that the greater part of impinging radiation is admitted into and travels the length of a conductor only when the path of the radiation and a normal to the respective end face define an angle which is equal to or less than the acceptance angle of the conductor. Each end face has an edge remote from the gap, and a location at which the laser beam impinges the foil defines a plane with a location on either edge.

Abstract: To minimize the adverse effects of flare in a photostimulable phosphor read out apparatus, the input face of a light guide for guiding light emitted upon stimulation has an elliptical cross section. It is positioned so that one of the foci of the ellipse defining the elliptical cross section coincides with the scan line. The second focus is positioned above the scan line and in the vicinity of the second focus a light beam reflection preventing means is provided so that stimulation light reflected by the input face of the light guide is extinguished. In an alternative embodiment the light guide has a circular cross section and is positioned so that the axis of a cylinder comprising the input face does not coincide with the scan line.

Abstract: An image signal is obtained from a recording medium, on which a radiation image has been recorded with an irradiation field being limited. A prospective contour point of the irradiation field is detected from signal components corresponding to positions on the recording medium located along each of lines radiating from a predetermined point in the region inside of the irradiation field towards edges of the recording medium. Differentiation processing is carried out on the signal components corresponding to positions on the recording medium located along each radial line in order to obtain differentiated values.

Abstract: A photodetector system for a radiation image read-out apparatus includes a light guide. Light emitted by a stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof by stimulating rays enters the light guide from its light inlet end and is guided through the light guide to its light outlet end through repeated total reflection. A stimulating ray cut filter is provided on the light outlet end of the light guide and selectively transmits the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof and a photomultiplier photoelectrically detects the light transmitted through the stimulating ray cut filer. The stimulating ray cut filter is provided with a light-shielding member which covers at least the portion of the outer surface of the filter extending in the longitudinal direction of the filter and prevents external light from entering the filter with a medium having a refractive index lower than that of the filter intervening between the outer surface of the filter and the light-shielding member.

Abstract: A latent image is formed on a stimulable phosphor plate (10) by irradiating the phosphor plate with x-rays from an x-ray source (14). To develop the stimulable phosphor plate, the plate is irradiated with light of a different wavelength from developer light source (32). The light from the developer light source causes the stimulable phosphor plate to give off light of yet another characteristic wavelength. Light from the stimulable phosphor plate is filtered (38) to remove the wavelength of the developer light and focused (42) on a light sensing element (46) of a time delay and integration video camera (34). The stimulable phosphor plate and the video camera are moved relative to each other and the rate of movement is monitored (60).

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.