Radiant energy – Source with recording detector – Using a stimulable phosphor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-18
2001-09-18
Sugarman, Scott J. (Department: 2873)
Radiant energy
Source with recording detector
Using a stimulable phosphor
C250S585000, C250S586000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06291831
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an axially oriented optical system and more particularly to one which operates with a cylindrical member in which a medium for scanning for readout is mounted. Included are means for retrieving information from the medium. The system will be described, in part, relative to a combination of the optical system with a phosphor plate digitizing system that has phosphor plate film internally mounted in a portion or segment of a cylinder for scanning by the optical system, which includes a light beam-mirror combination operable on the central, cylindrical axis of the portion of the cylindrical phosphor plate mount, and a control system therefor.
Previously, scanners of X-ray exposed phosphor plates performed their function on a flat-bed or the external surface of a rotating drum. These systems have problems that increase the cost and reduce the quality of the X-ray image. The undesirable results obtained with a flat-bed or rotating drum system are caused by the continuous changing of the angles and distances of the light beam paths used for stimulating the phosphor of the X-ray exposed phosphor plates. Also, the collection of the stimulated light is performed with a different path and angle for each position on the phosphor plate, thereby requiring complicated, expensive compensation with a resultant reduction in quality. Additionally, the complications with attendant increases in cost are exacerbated when existing systems for supporting the phosphor plates do not maintain a fixed positioning during the scanning procedure.
An optical system for an internal drum readout apparatus, which provides for minimizing distortion together with a reduction of cost and complexity cannot be found in the art.
Neither the prior art devices nor contemplated solutions for their deficiencies are capable of resulting in a digitizer apparatus providing a combination of reduction in cost with an increase in accuracy and quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional scanner systems, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a scanning system with a novel on-axis optical system to minimize distortion and avoid complex compensation introduced by currently used arrangements, while at the same time achieving cost reduction.
Another object of this invention is to provide an optical system utilizable as a readout system.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a light beam scanning system for digitizing X-ray exposed phosphor plates for storage and/or image display.
It is another object of this invention to provide an axial phosphor plate digitizer whereby an on-axis light beam is utilized for scanning.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an on-axis light beam scanning system whereby the item to be scanned is shaped to the form of at least a part of a cylinder around the axis of the light beam.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an on-axis light beam scanning system where the object to be scanned is formed to the shape of a portion of a cylinder with an on-axis mirror rotatable about the axis.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an on-axis light beam scanning system with the object to be scanned conforming to the shape of a segment or portion of a cylinder with an on-axis, tilted mirror rotatable about the axis, whereby the beam's impingement on the scanned object is always a fixed distance from the mirror center.
Another object of this invention is to provide an on-axis light beam, light sensitive device and slanted, rotating mirror operating to scan a phosphor plate mounted on the interior of a portion of a cylinder to stimulate X-ray exposed phosphors to produce light for projection to the rotating mirror for reflection to a light sensitive device to produce a signal for processing and digitizing means for computer reconstruction of an image of the X-ray exposure of the phosphor plate.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a scanning apparatus including 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; 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, whereby 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.
Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scanning apparatus includes a 45 degree mirror fixedly mounted for movement with the transport for presentation of the beam to the center of the slanted mirror, when the light source is not aligned along the axis.
There is also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a scanning apparatus including a hole in the center of the slanted mirror, a hollow shaft providing a beam path from the light source behind the slanted mirror to the hole, and a 45 degree mirror fixedly mounted in the hole for movement with the transport and rotated with the slanted mirror for presentation of the beam along a radial from the axis to the medium.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scanning apparatus includes a light sensitive detector and a filter mounted on the transport in alignment with the axis for receiving light emanating from the medium during scanning and reflected by the slanted mirror to the filter, and for a specific wavelength through the detector for conversion to electrical signals.
Additionally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scanning apparatus includes a stepper motor for driving the transport and a motor with an encoder on the axis for rotation and speed control of the slanted mirror.
Still another object of this invention involves the production of a light beam scanner for readout including, a hollow cylindrical segment about a cylinder axis forming a concave support means for a medium to be scanned while it conforms to the inner surface of the support means; an optical system including a light source for producing an on-axis beam; reflecting means for directing the beam perpendicular to the axis toward the medium on the support means; means for rotating and translating the beam to scan the medium; and means for receiving data emanating from the medium and directing it to a light sensitive device for conversion to electric signals for digitization.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light source is a laser, and the medium is a phosphor plate.
Additionally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment, the means for reflecting includes a slanted mirror mounted on the axis for rotation.
Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser is mounted to present its beam perpendicular to the axis and including a mirror in the path of the beam for directing the beam on-axis to the center of the reflecting means for reflection to the medium on a radius from the axis.
Moreover, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light beam scanner includes a hollow shaft on the axis through which the light source sends its beam and the reflecting means includes a slanted, rotatable mirror, angled with respect to the axis, and having a small, 45 degree mirror mounted within a hole at the center of the slanted mirror for
Eitan Pearl Latzer & Cohen-Zedek
Hanig Richard
Orex Computer Radiography Ltd.
Sugarman Scott J.
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