Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The light, which is emitted from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the light, which is emitted from the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, are respectively detected. An image readout from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet and an image readout from the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet are thus carried out independently of each other, two image signals being thereby obtained. An abnormal state in the image readout from each of the front and back surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet is detected.

Abstract: A radiation image reading and erasing apparatus for deriving image signals in such a manner that an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, onto which radiation images are accumulated and stored, is scanned with an excitation light, and an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent light, which is emitted from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, is received. The apparatus is designed to obtain image data free of unwanted noises, and to occupy less space. The accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object is irradiated with a laser beam passing through a slit member to photomultipliers through reflection between sheets. The slit member may move with up-and-down motions. The sheets are taken-up or sent out by or from the associated take-up rollers, respectively, in accordance with the movement of slit member. The apparatus also has an erasing unit with a movable reflector to erase image information from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a storage phosphor reader which calibrates the storage phosphor reader to the exposure value of the x-ray source measured at the time that the storage phosphor to be read is exposed.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The light, which is emitted from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the light, which is emitted from the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, are detected respectively with two photoelectric read-out devices, and two image signals are thereby obtained. The two image signals are added to each other in a predetermined addition ratio.

Abstract: A hollow light collector has an internal surface coated with a wavelength selective coating to absorb light energy within a predefined range of wavelengths and reflect all other light energy. In the preferred embodiment, the light collector is cylindrical in shape and includes an entrance aperture extending along the longitudinal axis of the collector. An exit aperture is disposed opposite to, and is coextensive with, the entrance aperture, defining a beam path therebetween to allow a scanning beam to traverse the chamber. A detector, such as a photomultiplier tube, is in optical communication with the chamber and is disposed off the beam path to detect light reflecting from the coating. In other embodiments, the chamber of the hollow collector may be spherical or ellipsoidal in shape.

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: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The light emitted by the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet and the light emitted by the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, are detected photoelectrically. The image signal components of the two image signals are subtracted from each other, which represent corresponding picture elements on the front and back surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet, difference values being thereby obtained. A judgment is made as to whether each of the difference values falls or does not fall within a predetermined range. In cases where a difference value is judged as being outside the predetermined range, it is determined that an abnormal signal component is contained in at least either one of the two image signals.

Abstract: A photostimulable phosphor of which the emission intensity at the stimulation wavelength of 550 nm is higher than the emission intensity at the stimulation wavelength of 600 nm, characterized in that said phosphor is a divalent europium activated barium fluorobromide containing as codopant samarium, and wherein the terminology barium fluorobromide stands for an empirical formula wherein (1) a minor part of the barium (less than 50 atom %) is replaced optionally by at least one metal selected from the group consisting of a monovalent alkali metal, a divalent alkaline earth metal other than barium, and a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sb, Bi, Y, and a rare earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, (2) a minor part (less than 50 atom %) of the bromine is replaced by chlorine, and/or iodine, and (3) wherein fluorine is present stoichiometrically in a larger atom % than bromine taken alone or bromine combined with chlorin

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting and detecting radiation emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The apparatus includes a photodetector assembly and first and second planar mirror assemblies configured to maximize collection efficiency and flare radiation attenuation. The first and second planar mirror assemblies include specularly reflective mirrors including an acrylic substrate having a reflective aluminum coating vacuum deposited on the acrylic substrate.

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: As photodetectors for detecting light radiated out of a recording sheet, on which a radiation image has been recorded, during its scanning with reading light, at least a single first photodetector, which has a high detection sensitivity and is apt to undergo a saturation phenomenon at its photoelectric surface, and at least a single second photodetector, which has a low detection sensitivity and undergoes little saturation phenomenon at its photoelectric surface, are utilized. A maximum amount of the amounts of the light, which is radiated out of a region inside of each of predetermined units in the radiation image recorded on the recording sheet, is measured. Image signal components corresponding to a unit, in which the measured maximum amount of the radiated light is larger than a predetermined value, are obtained by using only the signal having been generated by the second photodetector.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes cassette support devices for releasably supporting at least two cassettes, each of which can house a single stimulable phosphor sheet therein. A read-out unit moves between at least two read-out positions, each of which corresponds to one of the cassettes supported by the cassette support devices, and at each of which a radiation image is read out from a stimulable phosphor sheet taken out of each cassette. An erasing device is located so as to correspond to each read-out position. A sheet conveyance system takes a stimulable phosphor sheet out of each cassette, conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet into the read-out unit and the erasing device, and then returns the stimulable phosphor sheet into the cassette. The waiting period of the read-out unit and the waiting period of the erasing device are kept short, and the cycle time for the image read-out and erasing operations is thereby kept short as a whole.

Abstract: A compact, movable scan head having multiple scanning modalities and capable of high speed, high resolution scanning of a variety of samples is disclosed. Stimulation and detection of storage phosphor screens and fluorescent samples are preferably achieved with a first and second channel in the optical path of the first side of the scan head. This first side preferably has a laser diode light source. Reading of reflective and transmissive signals is also possible. A third channel is available in the optical path of the second side of the scan head. This third channel preferably provides LED point scanning and reading of fluorescence, reflective, and transmissive signals received from the sample. The various modalities of the scan head of the present invention may or may not have coincident optical paths. Any two of the above channels, or additional channels similar to the above channels, may be incorporated into the scan head.

Abstract: A combination is provided comprising a supported or self supporting photostimulable phosphor panel, comprising a photostimulable phosphor layer, the phosphor being capable of storing energy upon irradiation with X-rays and of releasing the stored energy as stimulated emission light upon irradiation with stimulating light and collecting means for stimulated emission light, and showing a restricted angular aperture. The combination comprises a volume reflection hologram H1, situated between the phosphor panel and the light collecting means. The volume reflection hologram H1 reflects stimulated emission light entering the volume reflection hologram under any angle outside a restricted angle, determined by the angular aperture of the collecting means and transmits stimulated emission light entering the volume reflection hologram under the predetermined restricted angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting and detecting radiation emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The apparatus includes a photodetector assembly and first and second planar mirror assemblies configured to maximize collection efficiency and flare radiation attenuation.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet comprises a stimulable phosphor layer, and a colored layer, which is located on one side of the stimulable phosphor layer and contains a coloring agent. The coloring agent is capable of selectively absorbing stimulating rays, The stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with the stimulating rays from the side opposite to the colored layer. The light, which is emitted by the two surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet during its scanning with the stimulating rays, is photoelectrically detected from the two surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and an image signal representing the radiation image is thereby obtained. The sharpness of an image reproduced from the image signal is thereby efficiently kept high. A second embodiment provides an optical layer on a stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the optical layer transmits only light which is incident from a direction substantially normal to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The emitted light is photoelectrically detected on the front surface side of the radiation image storage panel, which is the stimulating ray incidence side, and on the back surface side, two image signals being thereby obtained. The image signal components of the two image signals are added to each other, which represent corresponding picture elements on the front and back surfaces of the radiation image storage panel, an addition signal being thereby obtained.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed 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 is detected and photoelectrically converted by a photodetector, and an image signal representing the radiation image is thereby generated by the photodetector. Information corresponding to the amount of energy stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet during its exposure to radiation is inputted from a stored energy amount input device.

Abstract: A photo detecting apparatus comprises a photodetector for detecting light emitted or reflected by a scanning surface scanned with a light beam in main scanning and sub-scanning directions, and a light guide member, which has a light input end face extending along a main scanning line and propagates the emitted or reflected light to a light receiving face of the photodetector. When a point on the scanning surface, which point is being scanned with the light beam, is represented by O in a side view state taken from the main scanning direction, and an arbitrary point of incidence of the emitted or reflected light upon the light input end face is represented by A in the side view state, conditions .alpha./2.gtoreq..beta. and .theta..gtoreq.15.degree. are satisfied, where .alpha. represents the angle made between a line OA and the scanning surface, .beta.

Abstract: A digital X-ray apparatus forms a latent image of an object on a photostimulable phosphor plate as an energy distribution pattern using X-ray energy and reads the latent image using an excitation light beam. A plate, of a material which does not transmit the excitation light beam, has holes formed therein with photostimulable phosphor positioned in the holes, the photostimulable phosphor emitting a fluorescent light when irradiated by the excitation light beam, the emitted light beam gathered and a corresponding signal produced. The excitation light beam reflected from the photostimulable phosphor plate is also gathered and a signal responsive thereto also is produced. A method of production by stacking and bonding plural metal sheets having appropriate patterns of holes therein with the photostimulable phosphor and a transparent protection film layer thereon provides the structure of the photostimulable phosphor plate.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus which comprises an optical system for exposing a stimulable phosphor plate (1) which contains a latent radiation image to a stimulating beam, and a light collector (3) for directing the stimulated light generated in the phosphor plate (1) to a photodetector (4), for example, a photomultiplier tube. Such read-out apparatuses often have the disadvantage that sufficient light cannot be collected into the photodetector. This problem has been solved by using a shiny mirror tube as the light collector.

Abstract: A radiation image reading apparatus for reading radiation images from an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object on which a radiation image of a subject is accumulated and stored and is intended to obtain a radiation image on which radiation image information which is distributed in a wide range of radiation intensity may be displayed with an optimal density (brightness) without deterioration of contrast resolution. The radiation image reading apparatus is provided with a long-range electron multiplier tube having a plurality of photomultipliers or a plurality of secondary electron multiplying parts which are arrayed along a main scanning direction and controls independently respective sensitivities of these photomultipliers.

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: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a device for holding a stimulable phosphor sheet along a cylindrical surface, an optical element for transmitting one of stimulating rays and light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet and reflecting the other thereof, and a spinner, which is provided with a deflection mirror and a condensing lens. The deflection mirror reflects the stimulating rays coming from the optical element toward the stimulable phosphor sheet. The condensing lens is located in the optical path of the stimulating rays having been reflected by the deflection mirror and converges the stimulating rays on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The condensing lens also converges the emitted light at a predetermined converging position. The deflection mirror and the condensing lens are rotated together to scan the stimulating rays on the stimulable phosphor sheet in a main scanning direction. The stimulable phosphor sheet is moved in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a single light guide member constituted of a light guiding material. The light guide member comprises two input end faces for collecting light, which is emitted along a scanning line of stimulating rays and from two surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet having a radiation image stored thereon, and output end faces for radiating out the light, which has entered into the light guide member from the two input end faces. A single photodetector is located in close contact with the output end faces and photoelectrically detects the light radiated out of the light guide member. The input end faces of the light guide member comprise a first input end face for collecting the light, which is emitted from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a second input end face for collecting the light, which is emitted from the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: Laser imaging apparatus includes a laser which produces a laser beam. An image media is scanned with a laser beam in a raster pattern to produce a scanned image. A photodetector converts the scanned image into an image signal. An amplifier amplifies the image signal and has varying gain. A control circuit controls the laser beam scanning device to scan image media of different sizes with laser beam raster patterns of different sizes. The control circuit includes detectors for detecting the size of the image media. The control circuit varies the gain of the amplifier as a function of the detected size of the scanned image media.