Scanner for the PSL radiographic cassette

Scanning apparatus for scanning a cassette of the type used in photo-stimulable luminescence (PSL) radiography, which cassette comprises a flat substantially rigid base plate carrying on one side thereof a layer of PSL material and a cover for said one side adapted to be releasably secured to said base plate in overlying relation to said one side so as to light-tightly cover said layer of PSL material wherein said apparatus comprises a receiving station for the receipt of said cassette into the apparatus with the flat plate thereof extending in a generally vertical orientation, transport means for conveying the cassette while remaining in said substantially vertical orientation to a separating station which includes means for separating said base plate and its cover from each other while the base plate remains in said orientation, means for transporting said base plate in said generally vertical orientation along a path leading through a scanning station where the plate is scanned, to an erasing station, and to an assembly station where the plate and its cover are re-assembled, the apparatus being arranged in such a way that the cover and the base plate remain in substantially parallel relationship during their separation and re-assembly.