Modular computed and direct radiography assembly and method
AssigneeICRCO, Inc.
InventorStephen Neushul
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a modular scanning apparatus that can be advantageously used in both computed radiology devices and fixed scanning direct radiology devices. The scanning assembly advantageously utilizes a light collecting and measuring assembly having highly reflective surfaces in conjunction with a novel optical assembly within a light box type enclosure to enable a modular scanning and reading assembly that is compact, robust and also scaleable. The present invention further discloses novel computed radiography and direct radiography devices that utilize the modular scanning assembly to provide radiology devices that are highly robust and efficient and yet also simple to build, maintain, service and repair.
Claims30
A scanning assembly for use in a digital radiography device comprising:
- An exterior housing adapted to be coupled within the digital radiography device;
- An optics assembly secured within the housing and adapted for generating and scanning a focused laser beam through a narrow elongated opening positioned along one side of the housing, said optics assembly including a laser, a scanning assembly and a plurality of folding mirrors for directing the scanning laser beam through the opening in the housing;
- and
- A light collection assembly having a plurality of generally opposing curved reflective surfaces for reflecting light to a light measuring device,
- Wherein the light collection assembly is coupled to the housing and adapted to receive and measure light received from outside the housing.
A computed radiography device for use with an imaging plate cassette comprising:
- A frame assembly having a plurality of elongated frame members spaced apart along a parallel axis;
- A modular scanning assembly having a housing removeably coupled between the spaced apart elongated frame members, said scanning assembly further comprising an optical assembly and a light collecting assembly and adapted for scanning a focused laser beam across and measuring light energy received from the imaging plate;
- A cassette carriage assembly moveably coupled to at least one of the elongated frame members and adapted for supporting the imaging plate cassette;
- and
- A drive assembly coupled to the cassette carriage assembly and to at least one elongated frame member, said drive assembly adapted to move the cassette carriage relative to the scanning assembly so that an imaging plate within the cassette carriage may be scanned by the scanning assembly;
- and
- A plurality of covers coupled to at least one of the elongated frame members so as to enclose a substantial portion of the computed radiography device;
- Wherein the scanning assembly is further adapted to be readily removed from the computed radiography device and replaced with a different scanning assembly moving an access cover panel to access the removeable modular scanning assembly.
A direct radiography device for use with a phosphor imaging plate comprising:
- A frame assembly having a pair of generally opposing elongated frame members spaced apart along an axis;
- A modular scanning assembly having a housing that is removeably coupled between the spaced apart elongated frame members, said scanning assembly further comprising an optics assembly and a light collection assembly mounted within the housing, said optical assembly adapted for generating and scanning a focused laser beam through a narrow elongated opening along one side of the housing and across an imaging plate and said light collection assembly further comprising a plurality of reflective surfaces and adapted to reflect light received from a laser scanned imaging plate;
- A guide rail coupled to at least one elongated frame member and adapted for moveably supporting the imaging plate cassette;
- and
- A drive assembly coupled to the scanning assembly and to at least one elongated frame member, said drive assembly adapted to move the scanning assembly relative to an imaging plate secured within the frame assembly such that the imaging plate may be scanned by the scanning assembly;
- and
- A plurality of covers coupled to at least one of the elongated frame members so as to substantially enclose the direct radiography device, at least one of said covers adapted to readily allow transmission of x-rays;
- Wherein the scanning assembly is further adapted to be readily removed from the direct radiography device and replaced with a different scanning assembly by removing moving as cover panel to access the removeable modular scanning assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.