Abstract: A radiation image read-out method and apparatus for a stimulable phosphor sheet, provided with a layer of stimulable phosphor, which has been exposed to radiation to carry information about an image, and the image is thereby stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The method includes the steps of: exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to stimulating rays to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation; sensing the emitted light to generate a detection signal; amplifying the detection signal using a first amplifier or a second amplifier, dependent on the magnitude of the detection signal, to generate an amplified detection signal, the first amplifier differing from the second amplifier; and converting the amplified detection signals into a digital signal to form a digital image. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second amplifiers are logarithmic and linear amplifiers.

Abstract: A protective cover for various image recording media, such as film and phosphor media, and for cassettes that encase said media. The protective cover is arranged to substantially enclose the cassette during storage and/or exposure to X-rays and then removed (and perhaps disposed of) during acquisition of the latent image stored on the image recording media, for example, by an image reader such as a laser scanning device. The protective cover prevents contaminants from contacting the cassette and/or image recording media, thus extending the lifetime of the equipment.

Abstract: A method of acquiring at least one image from an image recording medium using a pulsed radiation source is provided. In one aspect, a method of scanning an image recording medium that has been exposed to X-ray radiation comprises providing first radiation along a plurality of scan traces over a surface of the image recording medium such that the first radiation does not impinge on the image recording over at least one interval along each of the plurality of scan traces. The pulsed laser source may reduce and/or eliminate cross-influence artifacts in images resulting from pulsed radiation image acquisition.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile computed radiography (CR) unit is provided. The mobile CR unit includes a CR scanner adapted to acquire one or more images from an image recording medium, and a transport mechanism coupled to the CR scanner, the transport mechanism adapted to facilitate transport of the mobile CR apparatus between locations. In another aspect, the mobile CR unit in constructed as a single free-standing integrated device having a frame that couples together the CR scanner, a display adapted to view the one more images acquired by the CR scanner, and a plurality of wheels that allow the mobile CR unit to be transported from one location to another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that facilitate exposure and/or automatic transfer of an image recording medium from an apparatus adapted to handle the image recording medium, such as a cassette, to an image acquisition system, such as an image reader. In one exemplary implementation, a side-access cassette for handling an image recording medium is provided that facilitates the automatic transfer of the image recording medium from the cassette into an automatic loader and from the automatic loader into the cassette. The cassette may further include a radiation conversion window to attenuate radiation during high energy X-ray imaging such that the cassette and automatic loader may be employed in a variety of X-ray imaging processes and techniques. In one aspect, such a conversion window allows recording media such as phosphor plates to be exposed using source radiation incident to the cassette having energy levels on the order of MeV, which is significantly higher than that typically used to expose phosphor plates.

Abstract: In one example, distributed computed radiography (CR) systems are disclosed, in which individual networked CR systems are deployed in different doctors' offices, clinics, and the like, or different rooms of a radiography center, such as that found in a radiology department of a medical facility. The individual networked CR systems may be deployed conveniently near to radiation exposure apparatus, so as to facilitate the overall process of patient exposure and image acquisition/processing. Images acquired from different networked CR systems may be transported to other systems coupled to the distributed CR network, and/or archiving facilities, for processing, storage, cataloging, analysis, etc. In another example, redundant computed radiography systems are disclosed, including multiple independently controllable scanners coupled to a single controller/processor at a given location. Such redundant systems improve image scanning/acquisition throughput and system robustness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

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: 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: A container for an imaging plate includes a sealable envelope, in which the plate is inserted, and one or more flaps, fixed to the envelope, which are closed by an operator so as to seal the plate inside the envelope. The flaps are then pulled open by the operator in order to release the plate from the envelope substantially without physical contact by the operator with the plate. Typically, the flaps are folded over the envelope and fixed one to another, creating a fold that seals the envelope shut.

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: 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 map of a radiation field produced by a gamma camera is corrected for three types of spatially dependent errors in a manner that corrects for each error independently of the others. The errors corrected for are dislocations which result from the non-linearity of the optics, photomultipliers and electronics of the camera, energy window variations resulting from inhomogeneity of the optical system which includes the crystal, light guide, and photomultipliers, and the non-uniform sensitivity of the head resulting from the non-uniform stopping power of the crystal and collimator of the camera head. The map is corrected by obtaining a set of correction factors associated with each type of error using a calibration technique that insures independence between the various correction factors, and applying the correction factors to the map obtained in a nuclear imaging process in a way that independently corrects the map for each type of error.

Abstract: A map of a radiation field produced by a gamma camera is corrected for three types of spatially dependent errors in a manner that corrects for each error independently of the others. The errors corrected for are dislocations which result from the non-linearity of the optics, photomultipliers and electronics of the camera, energy window variations resulting from inhomogeneity of the optical system which includes the crystal, light guide, and photomultipliers, and the non-uniform sensitivity of the head resulting from the non-uniform stopping power of the crystal and collimator of the camera head. The map is corrected by obtaining a set of correction factors associated with each type of error using a calibration technique that insures independence between the various correction factors, and applying the correction factors to the map obtained in a nuclear imaging process in a way that independently corrects the map for each type of error.