Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-20
2003-03-11
Phan, James (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
C358S474000, C358S475000, C358S483000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532092
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to digital capture of x-ray images. More specifically, the invention relates to capturing of x-ray images from both transmissive film and reflective filmless plates.
(2) Background
Various scanners for digitizing images from x-ray film are commercially available. For example, Radiographic Digital Imaging of Compton, Calif. produces a lightbox scanner sold under the trademark COBRASCAN® which uses a charge coupled device (CCD) to capture the image contained on a standard x-ray film when the x-ray film is transported past a reading window.
While traditional x-ray film has been ubiquitous for decades, more recently, filmless x-rays have been taken using a phosphorescent plate. The phosphorescent plate is reflective and erasable, allowing for repeated reuse. An x-ray impregnates the plate with energy which, when subsequently exposed to a particular excitation, is released, recreating the image. Various companies produce readers for these filmless plates, including Fuji Film Ltd. and Eastman Kodak. Such readers typically employ a flying spot laser and photo multiplier tube. The photo multiplier tube captures the image corresponding to the energy being released by excitation of the flying spot laser. The plate is typically transported by a set of rollers which necessitate that the phosphorescent plate be flexible and, in any case, over time, causes a deleterious effect on the plate, resulting in limited reusability. Additionally, these readers are incapable of digitizing conventional x-ray film. Thus, a radiology department is required to have two separate devices for the digitization of images from the different media types.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus to permit digital capture of images from both transmissive and reflective media is disclosed. A laser or other source of excitation radiation is coupled to a mounting surface to be in optical communication with a reading window when installed on a scanner. A rear casing is coupled to the mounting surface to engage a housing of a scanner, the housing defining the reading window.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3694653 (1972-09-01), Allard et al.
patent: 3896576 (1975-07-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 4628356 (1986-12-01), Spillman et al.
patent: 4879604 (1989-11-01), Koshiyouji
patent: 4908876 (1990-03-01), DeForest et al.
patent: 4996785 (1991-03-01), Cicenas
patent: 5068909 (1991-11-01), Rutherford et al.
patent: 5241406 (1993-08-01), Johnston et al.
patent: 5245539 (1993-09-01), Romeas et al.
patent: 5321520 (1994-06-01), Inga et al.
patent: 5384862 (1995-01-01), Echerer et al.
patent: 5814809 (1998-09-01), Han
patent: 6233065 (2001-05-01), Lee
patent: 0 162 528 (1985-11-01), None
patent: 0 598 949 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 0 729 264 (1995-06-01), None
patent: WO 95/19680 (1994-06-01), None
Max Vision—The Magic of Color, UC1260 Color Scanner,UMAX!®, Image & O.A., Feb. 1993.
A. Allam,Letter to the Editor: Low Cost Autonomous System of Image Acquisition and Processing Using a Linear CCD Camera,L'Onde Electrique, vol. 72, No. 2, Mar./Apr. 1992, pp. 54-56.
A. Allam,Lettre a l' editeur: Systeme d'acquisition et de traitement d'image autonome a faible cout par camera lineaire CCD,L'Onde Electrique, vol. 72, No. 2, Mar./Apr. 1992, pp. 54-56.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 014, No. 161 (E-0909), Mar. 28, 1990, & JP-A-02 016863 (Minolta Camera Co. Ltd.), Jan. 19, 1990 Abstract.
Blakely & Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman
Phan James
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method of capturing images from alternative... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method of capturing images from alternative..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method of capturing images from alternative... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3074178