Contact imaging sensor head for computed radiography
AssigneeLeidos, Inc.
InventorsRex David Richardson, William L. Hicks, Mark Alan Peressini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A scan head design uses 1:1 (one-to-one) imaging micro-lens arrays to transfer the object plane X-ray image from a CR-plate onto a linear photosensor. The scan-head includes a housing having therein, an array of red light emitting diodes (LEDs), a microlens array, and a sensor. The housing faces the CR-plate and the scan-head is translated across the CR-plate to read out the X-ray image therein. The scan head is compact and provides for improved spatial resolution and reduced power requirements.
Claims23
A system for readout-scanning of a previously exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate containing an X-ray image comprising:
- an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) oriented at a predetermined angle to the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate to illuminate directly a first predetermined portion of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate;
- and
- an imaging array for receiving image photons emitted directly from the exposed first predetermined portion of the photostimulable storage phosphor plate responsive to the illumination from the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the imaging array forms the X-ray image on a sensor, and
- further wherein, the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the imaging array and the sensor are located on a same side of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate.
A process for readout-scanning of a previously exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate containing an X-ray image by a scan-head, the process comprising:
- orienting an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of the scan-head at a predetermined angle to the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate at a first time T1;
- focusing light emitted from the LEDs at a line on the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate resulting in a stimulated emission line-source of image photons therefrom, wherein the focused light directly illuminates a first predetermined portion of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate;
- and
- receiving at an imaging array of the scan-head the image photons emitted directly from the exposed first predetermined portion of the photostimulable storage phosphor plate responsive to the illumination from the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and forming the X-ray image on a sensor, wherein, the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the imaging array and the sensor are located on a same side of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate.
A scan-head for readout-scanning of a previously exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate containing an X-ray image comprising:
- a housing including therein,
- an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs),
- an imaging array, and
- a sensor;
- wherein the scan-head is translatable across the previously exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate to read out the X-ray image therein;
- and
- further wherein the array of light emitting diodes is oriented at a predetermined angle to the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate to illuminate directly a first predetermined portion of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate;
- and
- further wherein the imaging array receives image photons emitted directly from the exposed first predetermined portion of the photostimulable storage phosphor plate responsive to the illumination from the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and forms the X-ray image on the sensor from at least the first predetermined portion of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate, wherein, the array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the imaging array and the sensor are located on a same side of the exposed photostimulable storage phosphor plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.