Radiant energy – Source with recording detector – Using a stimulable phosphor
Reexamination Certificate
2005-05-17
2005-05-17
Gagliardi, Albert (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Source with recording detector
Using a stimulable phosphor
C250S584000, C250S586000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06894303
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for computed radiography includes a rotating laser as a pumping source for delivering light, without the use of a rotating mirror, successively to ends of each of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in an arc. Opposite ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a linear array to a previously-exposed computed radiography plate having a latent X-ray image formed thereon. The plate is moved with respect to the fibers. Light emitted from the radiographic medium due to excitation by the pumping light travels through a light guide to an optical receiver where an image signal responsive to the light intensity of the emitted light is generated. The image signal is sent to a processor to generate an image representative of the latent X-ray. An erasing of the latent x-ray image may be accomplished in the same machine apparatus that generates the representative image. Preferably, multiple erasure operations are performed with a relaxation period, e.g., three to ten seconds between successive erasing operations. The laser is accurately positioned by an adjustment mechanism in an axial direction to focus the laser light on receiving optical fiber ends and in a radial direction to align the rotational axis substantially coaxially to the axis of the arc for the optical fibers. Electrical power is delivered through a brush and contact to leads in a rotating drive shaft for the rotating laser. The preferred light guide comprises an inlet positioned to receive phosphorescent light from the imaging plate and rearward and forward reflective surfaces for reflecting incoming light back and forth within the light guide that was not directly aligned for travel along a straight line path directly to the light collector, e.g., a photomultiplier tube. A substantial portion of this reflected light will eventually travel forwardly along a path of travel to hit the photomultiplier tube.
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Essex Electro Engineers, Inc.
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Gagliardi Albert
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