Abstract: The invention described herein relates to colloidal particles useful for photoacoustic imaging. The particles comprise a photoacoustic imaging agent with an absorbance maximum or plateau in the range of wavelengths 700-1100 nm. The imaging agent also displays low optical absorbance at some wavelength in the range 700-1100 nm. This combination of high and low optical absorbance enables background subtraction in photoacoustic imaging applications. The imaging agent is an organic compound having low aqueous solubility so that it is stably encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the particle. The particle is stabilized by a polymeric surface coating, and the polymeric stabilizing layer on the surface of the particle may contain targeting ligands for targeted diagnostics or therapeutic delivery. The particle core may also contain therapeutic agents or other imaging agents.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to colloidal particles useful for photoacoustic imaging. The particles comprise a photoacoustic imaging agent with an absorbance maximum or plateau in the range of wavelengths 700-1100 nm. The imaging agent also displays low optical absorbance at some wavelength in the range 700-1100 nm. This combination of high and low optical absorbance enables background subtraction in photoacoustic imaging applications. The imaging agent is an organic compound having low aqueous solubility so that it is stably encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the particle. The particle is stabilized by a polymeric surface coating, and the polymeric stabilizing layer on the surface of the particle may contain targeting ligands for targeted diagnostics or therapeutic delivery. The particle core may also contain therapeutic agents or other imaging agents.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to colloidal particles useful for photoacoustic imaging. The particles comprise a photoacoustic imaging agent with an absorbance maximum or plateau in the range of wavelengths 700-1100 nm. The imaging agent also displays low optical absorbance at some wavelength in the range 700-1100 nm. This combination of high and low optical absorbance enables background subtraction in photoacoustic imaging applications. The imaging agent is an organic compound having low aqueous solubility so that it is stably encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the particle. The particle is stabilized by a polymeric surface coating, and the polymeric stabilizing layer on the surface of the particle may contain targeting ligands for targeted diagnostics or therapeutic delivery. The particle core may also contain therapeutic agents or other imaging agents.

Abstract: In an apparatus for storing and automatically delivering cassette and/or pallets containing cassettes to a reader. The apparatus includes a plurality of cassette retaining sites. A door assembly is provided adjacent the portal for allowing access to the plurality of cassette retaining sites. The door assembly has at least one door slideably mounted to the apparatus for movement between a closed position and an open position. A door safety system is provided.

Abstract: A direct digital x-ray imaging system includes a fiber optic scintillating plate in which aliasing and x-ray transmission problems are minimized.

Abstract: A storage phosphor imaging system has at least two pairs of erase lights and an erase light failure detection circuit. When none of the erase lights are failed, the storage phosphor is erased for a predetermined time. When failure of one of the pairs of erase lights is detected, the storage phosphor is erased for an additional time. When more than one pair fails, the storage phosphor is erased for no more than the predetermined time and the additional time, then the storage phosphor is moved to the loading station, and the user is prompted that the storage phospor may not be fully erased.

Abstract: Storage phosphor imaging system includes a source of stimulating light, a scanner for scanning a storage phosphor with a latent x-ray image with said stimulating light in a raster pattern to produce an emitted light x-ray image and a photodetector for converting the emitted light x-ray image into an x-ray image signal. The storage phosphor has associated with it a first bar code pattern of alternating bars and spaces for identifying the storage phosphor and a second bar code pattern of contiguous reflective/nonreflective cells for identifying storage phosphor exposure speed and storage phosphor size parameters. A first scanning bar code reader and a second bar code reader including a number of contiguous light emitter and photodetector assemblies, read the first and second bar code patterns, respectively, to produce signals used in identifying, reading and processing the storage phosphor and image signal.

Abstract: An autoloader for positioning cassettes relative to a storage phosphor reader (i.e. stimulable phosphor). A capacitive sensor located at one or more cassette retaining sites of the autoloader senses the presence of a cassette at the site.

Abstract: A storage phosphor system includes a storage phosphor cassette autoloader for use with a plurality of cassettes. The autoloader includes first and second endless conveyor belts, which are spaced apart and which have a plurality of outwardly extending shelves in vertical alignment so as to define a cassette read site and a plurality of cassette retaining sites. A drive drives the conveyor belts in unison to transfer cassettes loaded in the retaining sites serially through the read site. A belt position sensor senses the position of at least one of the conveyor belts and produces a signal representative of conveyor belt displacement.