JP2004501392A - Fluorescence imaging plate and cassette handling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The combined imaging plate scanning and erasing system has a housing (11) and an imaging plate cassette (20) supply assembly located within the housing. The imaging plate cassette supply assembly has a mechanism for retracting the imaging plate cassette into the housing, a mechanism for opening the imaging plate cassette, and a mechanism for removing the imaging plate cassette from the housing. The imaging plate scanning and erasing system also includes a scanner disposed in the housing, a curved path erasing assembly (50) disposed between the imaging plate supply assembly and the scanner, and an erasing assembly from the imaging plate cassette. An imaging plate transport assembly for moving the imaging plate back and forth in a path passing through a scan area adjacent to the scanner.

Description

[0001]
Cross-reference of related applications
This application is a continuation of US Patent Application No. 60/201324, filed May 2, 2000, claiming the benefit of that priority, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002]
Technical field
The present invention relates to an imaging plate scanning system and an imaging plate erasing system. In general, the invention relates to all forms of medical imaging plates, but a particularly preferred field of application of the invention relates to storage fluorescent imaging plates.
[0003]
Background of the Invention
Imaging plates, such as storage fluorescent imaging plates, have become standard in the field of computer radiography (CR) as a medium capable of storing an image of a part of a patient's body. An image on such a fluorescence imaging plate is extracted by scanning the imaging plate with a scanner. Typically, a fluorescent imaging plate is scanned by passing a scanning laser beam over the surface of the imaging plate and recording light emitted from the imaging plate in response to the laser beam. By recording the emitted light corresponding to each pixel of the imaging plate with a detector such as a photomultiplier, the image stored therein can be reproduced (so that it can be displayed on a computer terminal). Can be.)
[0004]
The act of scanning an imaging plate by passing a scanning laser beam is destructive in nature (e.g., emitting energy stored on a phosphor screen). The particular image stored on the imaging plate is only scanned (ie, read) once. Such a scan of the imaging plate emits an image, thereby erasing the image, but such erasure is not complete, and the imaging plate still has ghost images or images that are caused or not completely erased by the scanning process. Lines, and other image artifacts. It is therefore necessary to completely and evenly erase the imaging plate before reuse and storing other images there.
[0005]
To maintain high image quality, the fluorescent imaging plate is typically housed in an imaging plate cassette to protect it from light, dust, fingerprints, and other image-degrading artifacts. Such a cassette provides protection for the imaging plate, guarantees a long service life and allows the imaging plate to be reused many times.
[0006]
In order to reuse the imaging plate, the imaging plate must first be scanned and erased. Scanning and erasing emits an image on the imaging plate by exposing the imaging plate to substantially the same visible wavelength light. It is therefore important to ensure that you do not inadvertently expose such erasing wavelength light before scanning. Thus, scanning and erasing of the imaging plate is performed on different instruments or at remote locations within the instruments. When separate scanning and erasing equipment is used, the imaging plate is manually transported between them while still contained in the imaging plate cassette. In particular, the fluorescent imaging plate is first scanned by a scanner and then manually transported and placed in a separate erasing device. The erasing device passes the plate under light of the appropriate wavelength, thereby releasing any images stored therein.
[0007]
Thus, remove the imaging plate from the cassette, scan with the scanner, remove from the scanner, return to the cassette, manually transport the cassette to the erasing device, insert the imaging plate into the erasing device, erase the magazine plate, and erase the imaging plate It would be desirable to provide a system that combines scanning and erasing of the imaging plate, such that there is no need to return to the cassette for further use.
[0008]
Another problem common to both scanning and erasing equipment is how to remove the imaging plate from the cassette. Sometimes this is simply done manually (manually placing the imaging plate on the scanner or eraser). In addition, various bulky systems have been used to remove the imaging plate from the cassette using vacuum, gravity, or friction-pulling motors. One problem with such systems is that they tend to handle the imaging plate rather aggressively. This is especially true in gravity systems where the cassette is opened and the imaging plate is simply dropped into the instrument.
[0009]
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system that slowly and automatically removes an imaging plate from a cassette before scanning, and then slowly and automatically returns the imaging plate after erasing the imaging plate.
[0010]
Yet another problem common to existing imaging plate scanners and existing imaging plate erasing equipment is that they tend to be very large. This is especially true in the case of large systems that combine scanning and erasing, due to the fact that numerous imaging plate and imaging plate cassette designs are already in circulation. Thus, rather than designing imaging plates, cassettes, scanners and erasure systems that operate together at the same time, rather than providing a spatially integrated and efficient system, existing plate and cassette designs can be used. There is a tendency to design scanning and erasing equipment adapted to handle Existing cassette designs are particularly unsuitable for automation, and require large and bulky scanning and erasing systems that are not designed to handle these imaging plates (and their associated cassettes) in small spaces.
[0011]
Further, many of these large existing systems typically require that the scanning mechanism be located away from the erasing mechanism to prevent light from the erasing mechanism from entering the scanning mechanism. When so large, these existing systems unfortunately require the imaging plate to be moved a considerable distance. Such a long travel distance (requires many separate devices to move and position the imaging plate in different positions) has many disadvantages. For example, complex positioning systems that move the imaging plate a considerable distance often result in positioning errors, causing imaging problems, or jamming the imaging plate while passing through the system. Withdrawing a clogged imaging plate from a deep position in the scan erase system is frustrating and time consuming.
[0012]
Therefore, it would be particularly desirable to provide a compact system that combines scanning and erasing of the imaging plate, which is much smaller than existing systems and moves the imaging plate a small distance. The advantages of such a system include its portability, space saving size, reduced system complexity, increased ease and speed of operation.
[0013]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a small and compact combination system for scanning and erasing the imaging plate. The present invention is ideally suited for use with, but not limited to, storage fluorescent imaging plates (known as imaging "screens").
[0014]
The system has a compact housing into which the imaging plate cassette is first inserted. An imaging plate supply assembly is provided in the housing, retracts the imaging plate cassette into the housing, opens the imaging plate cassette (when located in the housing), and removes the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette for scanning and subsequent erasure. It is designed to be taken out.
[0015]
In a preferred aspect, the present invention provides a system for combining scanning and erasing of an imaging plate, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a mechanism disposed in the housing; (i) a mechanism for retracting an imaging plate cassette into the housing; (ii) an imaging plate cassette supply assembly comprising: a mechanism for opening the imaging plate cassette; (iii) a mechanism for removing the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette; (c) a scanner disposed in the housing; d) a curved path eraser assembly located between the imaging plate cassette supply assembly and the scanner; and (e) a scan area adjacent to the scanner from the imaging plate cassette via the eraser assembly. Providing an imaging plate transport assembly for moving the imaging plate back and forth path which over to, a system of.
[0016]
In a preferred feature, the entire imaging plate cassette is completely retracted into the housing of the system before opening the cassette and removing the imaging plate located therein. An advantage of a preferred feature of the present invention is that the cassette is opened in the dark interior of the housing, thereby preventing the imaging plate from being exposed to unwanted light and degrading the image.
[0017]
In a preferred feature, the imaging plate cassette supply assembly is comprised of various components, including an imaging plate supply assembly, the imaging plate supply assembly comprising: (a) a mechanism for retracting the imaging plate cassette into the housing; The mechanism comprises an opening mechanism and (c) a mechanism for taking out the imaging plate from the cassette. After the imaging plate is scanned and erased (described below), these mechanisms are operated in reverse to return the imaging plate to the cassette, close the cassette, and push the cassette out of the housing. This cassette "feed" assembly advantageously operates as a cassette "feed" assembly and a cassette "eject" assembly.
[0018]
In a preferred feature, the imaging plate cassette is inserted through a slot in the side of the housing of the device, whereby a part of the cassette is placed in the housing. Next, the cassette supply assembly is driven to draw the cassette into the housing. At the end of the scanning and erasing process, the cassette (with the imaging plate inside) is repositioned, partly protruding from the slot, so that the operator can grab the cassette and pull it completely out of the housing.
[0019]
In a preferred feature, a mechanism for retracting the imaging plate cassette into the housing (and pushing the imaging plate after the imaging plate has been scanned and erased) includes a movable shuttle holding the imaging plate cassette and moving the shuttle back and forth within the housing. And a shuttle positioning assembly. Preferably, the shuttle travels a sufficient distance so that the entire cassette is retracted into the housing after the shuttle grips the cassette.
[0020]
In an optional preferred feature, an adjustment guide and detent mechanism (either the shuttle or the cassette or both) is provided to ensure that the cassette is securely positioned on the shuttle and centered accurately. An advantage of centering the cassette on the shuttle is that different sized cassettes, each containing a different standard or non-standard sized imaging plate, can be used in accordance with the present invention. In fact, different sized imaging plates (contained in different sized imaging plate cassettes) can be continuously scanned and erased without any modification of the present invention. Further, it can be appreciated that the scanning and erasing assembly, each of the imaging plate transport systems, is suitable for moving an imaging plate of a different size, with no positional errors as the imaging plate moves.
[0021]
The imaging plate cassette is substantially flat and has a plate-like structure. In a preferred feature, the scanner incorporated in the system is in a low vertical position (i.e., short) and the imaging plate slides across a top surface of a reference plate covering the scanner in a flat path through the top surface of the scanner. And move. Thus, in a preferred aspect, the present invention provides a very compact design, with the cassette and scanner positioned one above the other. This is achieved by placing the cassette directly above (or directly below or side by side) the scanner. In a preferred aspect, the scanner used in the present invention is a circular rotating multi-head scanner, which has the advantage of low vertical attitude and high speed scanning.
[0022]
The present invention having such a vertically compact design further comprises a novel system for opening the cassette and withdrawing the imaging plate from the cassette, these operations being able to be performed in a minimum vertical space. . In various aspects, a novel system is provided for unlatching (ie, unlocking) the cassette and opening the cover thereon sufficiently to pull out the imaging plate. In a preferred feature, these systems have pawls sized to lock to the top cover of the cassette and open the top cover as the shuttle moves the cassette to its final position within the system housing. are doing. In one exemplary feature, the pawl is biased upward and travels along a track.
[0023]
The present invention further comprises a novel curved path erasure assembly, which is advantageously located between the scanner and the cassette feed mechanism. In a preferred feature, the erasing assembly has a curved configuration that turns the imaging plate over as it is removed from the cassette and fed to the scanner.
[0024]
In various aspects of the present invention, the curved structure in the erasing assembly may be a curved window (along which the imaging plate slides) or a curved window spaced a distance from the curved member (with the imaging plate therebetween). Pass). Thereby, the present invention provides a very compact erase assembly. With such a curvature, the erasure assembly significantly reduces the overall size of the device. In particular, by turning the imaging plate over as it passes, this curved erasure assembly allows the supply path to the device of the cassette to be substantially parallel to the path that the imaging plate traverses the scanner. By thus overlapping the paths on which the imaging plate moves, the entire length of the apparatus of the present invention can be effectively cut in half. Importantly, the erase assembly of the present invention both erases the imaging plate and guides the imaging plate to the system.
[0025]
In various aspects, the erasing light source (or plurality of light sources) comprises a fluorescent light, a plurality of fluorescent lights or LEDs, or a plurality of LED arrays, and is disposed adjacent (or slightly away from) the curved window and includes an erasing light. Through the curved window and towards the surface of the imaging plate. An advantage of such a curved window design is that the curvature of the window is used to change the direction of movement of the imaging plate, while allowing the erasing light to pass. In particular, due to the curved nature of the erasure main stem, the imaging plate is ejected from the erasure system in a path parallel to the path in which the imaging plate is fed to the erasure system. Thus, a very compact erase system design is achieved.
[0026]
In a preferred feature, one or both of the curved window and the curved element disposed adjacent the curved window have a surface formed from a low friction material. Further, in such preferred features, the various surfaces of the erase assembly may be at least coated with a highly reflective material, which minimizes light leakage and increases the overall efficiency of the erase process. In particular, in these various preferred features, the highly reflective surface is positioned around the erasing light source and reflects erasing light passing through the curved window toward the surface of the imaging plate that slides through the curved window.
[0027]
An advantage of forming the curved windows (and the optional curved elements located adjacent to the curved windows) from a low friction material is that the imaging plate slides easily across them. This has the advantage that it is only necessary to provide a system (e.g., a roller) for supplying the imaging plate to one end of the erasing assembly and a system (e.g., another roller) for drawing the imaging plate from the other end of the erasing assembly. . This eliminates the need to provide a transport mechanism for moving the imaging plate within the erase assembly itself.
[0028]
The advantage of using fluorescent tube light or LED erasing light in the erasing assembly (particularly when using a highly reflective coating in the erasing assembly) is that the erasing assembly has a short structure relative to the total length of the imaging plate passing therethrough It is to have. In other words, at any time, only a portion of the imaging plate need be located adjacent to the erasing assembly. In this way, the “central zone” of the imaging plate can pass through the erasing assembly as soon as the proximal and distal ends of the imaging plate exit the erasing assembly. In contrast, many existing erasure systems are very large, requiring the entire imaging plate to be located in the erasure "room", which causes the entire imaging plate (in which erasing light is turned on). ) Are erased at the same time.
[0029]
Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a transport mechanism within the erasing assembly itself, ie, to first place the imaging plate within the erasing section of the apparatus and then remove the imaging plate. Rather, in accordance with the present invention, the movement of the imaging plate can be controlled without a transport mechanism within the erase assembly itself. This is because at least one end of the imaging plate always projects from the erase assembly. The protruding end can be easily grasped by a roller or the like at the supply end or the discharge end of the erasing assembly.
[0030]
In an optional preferred feature, the erasing light of the present erasing system can be arranged around the outer (convex) surface of the curved window. An advantage of erasing around the outer surface of the curved window (compared to erasing around the inner surface of the curved window) is that the outer surface can be longer than the inner surface and the erasure can be made longer. Also, a large physical space is available for placing a number of light sources around it.
[0031]
An imaging plate transport assembly is provided for moving back and forth a path extending from the imaging plate cassette, through the erasing assembly, to a scan area that is flushed to the scanner. In particular, according to the preferred method, the imaging plate is fed into the device until it reaches a position where it stops, the direction of movement is reversed, passing by the scanner and past the erasing assembly. Thus, this method provides, strictly speaking, that the imaging plate is completely moved into the device, stopped, and continuously scanned and erased during withdrawal. However, the invention is understood to encompass the field where the imaging plate is scanned before its direction of movement is reversed (which causes it to be scanned during insertion, stopped and erased while being removed from the device). It should be.
[0032]
In a preferred aspect, the scanner comprises a multi-head scanner, more preferably a rotating multi-head scanner, most preferably a rotating three-head scanner. However, it should be understood that the present scanning system is not so limited.
[0033]
In one preferred aspect of the invention, the scanner is covered by a reference plate, and the imaging plate slides across the reference plate (passes through the scan area along the reference plate). Preferably, the imaging plate is moved across the surface of the reference plate by a belt roller or other device that firmly positions the imaging plate relative to the reference plate. In a preferred feature, the central part of the belt (between the two rollers supporting the belt) is urged directly against the reference plate.
[0034]
In a preferred feature, the reference plate has a slot therethrough, along which the scan head of the scanner moves, whereby light from the scan head is transferred to the imaging plate as the scan head moves along the slot. Guided to cross. In the most preferred feature, a rotating scanner is used. Thus, in these preferred features, the slots in the reference plate are also curved.
[0035]
The advantage of this system is that by firmly positioning the imaging plate with respect to a reference plate covering the scanner, a very good light-tight seal is maintained in the scan area where the imaging plate is actually operated. An important advantage of maintaining a very good light-tight seal in this area is that no optical filter is required between the eraser and the scanner of the present invention. This allows the erase assembly to be located very close to the erase assembly.
[0036]
A further feature of this new system of sliding the imaging plate across a reference plate overlying the scanner is that the imaging plate is maintained at a known (small) distance from the scan head passing under it. is there. The separation between the imaging plate and the scanning head is determined by both the movement of the imaging plate across the reference plate of the scanner and the rotation of the scanning head as the scanning beam passes across the surface of the imaging plate. ), The laser beam from the scanning head can be advantageously focused on a small spot on the imaging plate (this allows a constant laser spot size on the imaging plate). This advantage is particularly beneficial when reading an image on an imaging plate where an uneven spot size results in an unwanted artificial image on the final image (of the screen). A further benefit of this preferred scanning system is that as the operating head of the scanner passes across the imaging plate, the angle of the scanning laser beam relative to the imaging plate is constant.
[0037]
The system provides a method of scanning and erasing an imaging plate using a combined imaging plate scanning and erasing system. The method comprises the steps of: (a) inserting an imaging plate cassette storing the imaging plate into a system combining scanning and erasing of the imaging plate; and (b) inserting the imaging plate cassette into a system combining scanning and erasing of the imaging plate. Depressing the plate cassette, (c) opening the imaging plate cassette, (d) removing the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette, and (e) a path extending through a curved erasing assembly and through a scanning area adjacent to the scanner. Moving the imaging plate; (f) scanning an image on the imaging plate with the scanner; (g) moving the imaging plate back through the erasing assembly through the scan area; h) erasing the imaging plate with the erasing assembly, (i) returning the imaging plate to the imaging plate cassette, (j) closing the imaging plate cassette, and (k) combining scanning and erasing of the imaging plate. Extruding the imaging plate cassette from the system.
[0038]
In a preferred feature, the imaging plate is removed from the cassette (preferably after at least a portion of the cassette has been retracted into the housing of the system). Thereafter, the imaging plate is first moved through the eraser assembly and at least partially through the scanner. (In particular, the imaging plate preferably passes through a scanning area adjacent to a reference plate covering the scanner).
[0039]
In the most preferred feature, the imaging plate is moved a distance such that its tip passes completely across the scanning area (and across the scanner) and is located in the ejection area on the tip side of the scanner. The imaging plate is then moved in the opposite direction and back across the surface of the reference plate overlying the scanner, passing through the scan area and being scanned at that time. After passing across the scanner, the imaging plate moves back through the erasing assembly, at which time any residual or artificial images are erased by the erasing system (the erasing system is then only turned on).
[0040]
In an additional erase-only mode of operation, the system can be used to erase the imaging plate without first reading. This is the standard recommended practice before exposing the imaging plate when idle for long periods of time. In such cases, the plate can pick up artificial noise from background radiation, including cosmic rays. In this mode, erasing light can be continuously irradiated during the movement of the imaging plate in the supply direction and the discharge direction. This has the benefit of reducing the time required to complete the erase cycle as shown.
[0041]
In a preferred aspect of the invention where a multi-head rotary scanner is used (and the continuous scan head passes along a curved slot in a reference plate overlying the scanner), the imaging plate first has its proximal edge set to the reference plate. To a position such that it completely passes through the curved slot. In this position, the tip of the imaging plate is received in the output area, while a portion of the imaging plate remains above the scanner. As already explained, an advantage of this design is that the output area does not need to be as long as the imaging plate. In a preferred feature, the output area curves itself down in front of the scanner, further saving space in this design.
[0042]
The advantage of using a single friction belt to slide the imaging plate over the surface of the reference plate over the scanner is that it avoids artificial images caused by speed changes and transfer errors that occur with multi-drive elements It is.
[0043]
A further advantage of this curved path erasure system having a curved window spaced from the bending member is that each of these curved elements is attached to a separate element of the system, thereby erasing when the device is opened. These two parts of the assembly move away, allowing easy access to the imaging plate jammed between them.
[0044]
A further advantage of this system is that the scanner and the erasing assembly can be located close enough so that portions of the imaging plate can be erased simultaneously as other portions of the imaging plate are scanned. .
[0045]
Being very compact, the device is portable and can be moved from room to room in a hospital or laboratory setting. In contrast, all existing systems are floor-mounted, typically of the size of a large refrigerator.
[0046]
1 to 5 show successive steps of operating the device of the invention according to a preferred embodiment. As described below, the steps shown in FIGS. 1-5 are performed sequentially, positioning the imaging plate prior to scanning, and reversing in scanning and erasing the imaging plate (but, optionally, imaging plate May be scanned while moving from the position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 5).
[0047]
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
(A) Main system elements and preferred operation method
The present invention provides a combined imaging plate manipulation and erasure system that advantageously manipulates and erases the imaging plate in a single device that occupies very little space.
[0048]
1 to 5 show the successive steps of operating the device according to the preferred method.
[0049]
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is provided a combined operating and erasing system 10 for an imaging plate having a housing 11. A human operator hand H holding the imaging plate cassette 20 before scanning the imaging plate and erasing the imaging plate (ie, before reading the images stored therein) is shown. The housing 11 has a slot 12 into which a cassette 20 is inserted by an operator.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette 20 is preferably arranged by an operator such that at least a part of the cassette 20 is located in the housing 11. As will be described in further detail below, a movable shuttle 30 for grasping or holding the cassette 20 is provided.
[0051]
The shuttle positioning assembly 31 moves the shuttle 30 (and the cassette 20 held therein) to the position shown in FIG. At this time, the door 13 closes the slot 12 of the housing 11, thereby preventing light from entering the inside of the housing 11. The shuttle 30 and the shuttle positioning assembly 31 have a mechanism for pulling the cassette 20 into the housing 11.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the shuttle 30 moves the cassette to the final position in the housing 11, the upper cover 21 of the cassette 20 is opened. Thus, the upper cover 21 of the cassette 20 is at the final open position. (Further details of the preferred mechanism for opening the upper cover 21 of the cassette 20 are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 described below.) A mechanism for removing the imaging plate 40 from the cassette 20 is further provided. In this regard, gripping rollers 32 are provided to pull the imaging plate 40 out of the cassette 20 and a pair of rollers are provided to move the imaging plate 40 so that the imaging plate 40 can be advanced past the eraser assembly 50. Is provided.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging plate 40 passes through the eraser assembly 50, is grabbed by the friction belt rollers 60, and slides across a reference plate 71 that covers the scanner 70. The friction belt roller 60 moves the imaging plate 20 to the final position, where the tip of the imaging plate 40 is located in the curved discharge area 80. The discharge position 80 may optionally comprise a pair of guides 81 and 82.
[0054]
When the imaging plate 40 is positioned as shown in FIG. 5, the imaging plate is scanned by reversing its transport direction (i.e., the imaging plate 40 is positioned on the surface of the scanner 70, and more preferably, a reference that covers the scanner 70). It is reversed so as to cross the surface of the plate 71). Thereafter, the imaging plate 40 is moved back through the erasing assembly 50, which advantageously erases any latent images in the imaging plate 40 as well as image artifacts.
[0055]
It should be understood that the imaging plate 40 is scanned by the scanner 70 as it first crosses the scanner 70 distally. However, in a more preferred feature, the imaging plate 40 is moved forward fully into the system (i.e., at least partially enters the discharge area 80), stops, and faces the cassette 20 during scanning. After the traveling direction is reversed so as to return to the opposite direction, scanning is performed by the scanner 70.
[0056]
As shown, the cassette 20 is received in the housing 11 and is located immediately above the scanner 70. It should be understood that the housing 11 could alternatively be located directly below the scanner 70.
[0057]
As can be seen, the path that the cassette 20 moves back and forth within the housing 11 is preferably parallel to the path that the imaging plate 40 moves across the scanner 70. Since the eraser assembly 50 is curved, the imaging plate 40 can be turned upside down (by turning over) in a small space, and the size of the housing 11 can be minimized.
[0058]
As can be seen, the device 10 is small enough so that a portion of the imaging plate 40 passes across the scanner 70 while another portion of the imaging plate 40 passes through the curved erasure assembly 50. .
[0059]
(B) Erasing assembly
Further details of various preferred embodiments of the erase assembly 50 are shown in FIGS. 6A-8. In a preferred feature, the eraser assembly 50 has a curved window 51. By sliding the imaging plate 20 (as shown continuously in FIGS. 1 to 5) with respect to the curved window 51, the imaging plate 40 is inserted into the scanner 70 from an orientation set in the cassette 20. The heading is turned upside down.
[0060]
To further guide the imaging plate 40 through the erasure assembly 50, a curved member 52 may be positioned adjacent the curved window 51, thereby providing a narrow passage for the imaging plate to pass therebetween. In a preferred feature, the spacing between the curved window 51 and the curved member 52 is on the order of 0.100 to 0.150 inches (ie, large enough for the imaging plate 40 to pass between them). Is also good.
[0061]
In an optional feature, the surface 55 of the curved member 52 can be coated with or formed of a low friction material (so that the imaging plate 40 slides easily over it). In a preferred aspect, the low friction material may be selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, polycarbonate, glass, zinc coated steel sheet, and Teflon impregnated electroless nickel.
[0062]
In another optional feature, the surface 55 of the curved member 52 is coated with or has a high reflective backing surface (located on the side of the window opposite the at least one erasing light source). It may be formed from the receiving surface. Thus, when the imaging plate 40 occupies a portion of the area exposed by the window 51, the remainder of the area exposed by the window 51 exposes some portions of the highly reflective receiving surface 55.
[0063]
Further, window 51 may be formed from (or coated with) a low friction material, including, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass.
[0064]
The curved window 51 has one or a plurality of erase lights 53 disposed therearound. Any form of erase write is contemplated. In a preferred feature, light 53 may comprise an array of LEDs (spaced around curved window 51 as shown in FIG. 7). In an alternative preferred feature, light 53 may be mounted on a single plate formed to match the shape of 51 or 59. For example, a flexible circuit board that can be bent into a corresponding curved shape is used.
[0065]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, all or a portion of the outer surface 57 of the window 51 (i.e., some or all between successive lights 53) is coated with or reflects a highly reflective high reflective material. It may be formed. This highly reflective coating ensures that the erasing light that reflects off the surface of the imaging plate 40 (emitted from the light 53) is redirected toward the surface of the imaging plate 40. Ensuring a highly reflective surface 57 ensures that light is reflected back and forth through the curved window 51, increasing erasing efficiency. The highly reflective portion of the outer surface 57 of the window 51 may be located between an array of erase lights, between individual erase lights in the array, or both.
[0066]
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, multiple erase lights 54 (located further away from window 51) may be used instead. The erasing lamp 54 preferably comprises a fluorescent tube, but any erasing lamp (including but not limited to gas-filled lamps, Na lamps, Ne lamps, metal halogen lamps and Xe lamps) may be used. May be. The fluorescence erasing lights 54 may be arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of the curved window 51 similar to the lights 53 in FIG. In this case, the high reflection surface 58 is preferably disposed around the light 54. In a preferred feature, the fluorescent quenching light 54 is separated by at least 1.2 times the diameter of the fluorescent tube, so that light from the back side of the fluorescent tube can reach the imaging plate 40.
[0067]
The erasing light 53 or 54 is thus arranged to guide the erasing light through the window 512. By locating opposite the window 51 through which the imaging plate 20 passes, the light 53 can optionally be positioned very close to the imaging plate 40 without interfering with the movement of the sliding of the imaging plate 40. Can be.
[0068]
The highly reflective material used on the surface 57 or 58 may in preferred features be a mirror, white paint, white silkscreen, or white or aluminum coated plastic. However, any suitable highly reflective material is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0069]
It should be understood that if the erasing light is generated by the light 54, the surface 57 of the curved window 51 is preferably covered with a one-way mirror or not covered with any reflective coating. (Thus, surface 57 does not reflect the erasing light back toward light 54, but instead directs the light through curved window 51 toward the surface of imaging plate 40.)
[0070]
In a preferred feature, the erasing light 53 (which may consist of an LED) or 54 (which may consist of a fluorescent tube, including a cold or hot cathode fluorescent tube) emits a broad spectrum of white visible light for imaging. Preferably, the plate 40 is erased.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 6B, a thermal blanket 59 may be wrapped around the element having the surface 58 and / or a heating element 56 may optionally be provided to keep the fluorescent tube 54 warm, thereby providing the desired The imaging plate 40 may be erased by quickly turning on the intensity. Light 54 must be off when imaging plate 40 first advances through erase assembly 50 before scanning.
[0072]
A further optional feature of the erase assembly 50 is shown in FIG. 8, where each light 53 comprises an array of LEDs. In this optional feature, a member 49 having a plurality of holes therethrough is located between the window 51 and the array of lights 53. Preferably, the surface of the member 56 located opposite the window 51 is made of a highly reflective material, and the individual holes passing through the member 56 correspond to the individual light sources of the light array 53. Accordingly, there is a high reflection between the individual lights of the light array 35, whereby the light that has reflected off the surface of the imaging plate 40 and is reflected there again.
[0073]
In yet another alternative embodiment of the erase assembly 50A, a translucent drum 120 having at least one erase light 121 therein is used to erase the imaging plate 40, as shown in FIG. 6C. Optionally, translucent drum 120 may be rotated to pull imaging plate 40 into eraser assembly 50A.
[0074]
It should be understood that the erase assembly can be modified so that the erase occurs inside the curvature of the curved erase assembly. One embodiment is shown in FIG. 6D, where an erase light 54 erases the imaging plate 40 as the imaging plate passes between the window 51 and the curved member 52.
[0075]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the vertical direction of the imaging plate 40 is reversed from FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7 and 8. In this case, the direction of the scanner assembly is preferably reversed. (That is, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, it is preferred that the imaging plate 40 pass beneath the scanner 70 and that the scanner 70 be turned over from the direction shown in FIGS. 1-5.)
[0076]
(C) Cassette supply mechanism
Further details of the shuttle 30 are shown in FIG. Shuttle 30 is configured to securely engage or grip cassette 20. In a preferred feature, shuttle 30 has one or more adjustment guides that ensure that cassette 20 is centered thereon. In one preferred feature, an elevated delete 32 is provided. One or more detent rollers 33 may be provided. The movement of the shuttle 30 moves back and forth in the D1 direction and is controlled by a shuttle positioning assembly 31, which may optionally comprise a worm gear.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 10, the cassette 20 first moves in the direction D1, but the shuttle 30 maintains the fixed state. (This occurs when the operator first manually places the cassette 20 in the slot 12.) (See FIG. 1). The cassette 20 preferably has a central slot 22 that coincides with an elevated stop 32. This ensures that the cassette 20 is centered on the shuttle 30. Further, the cassette 20 may have a pair of concave portions (not shown) corresponding to the rollers 33 which can be dropped, on the lower side. In particular, it is preferable that each of the retractable rollers 33 is biased by a spring so as to move up and down in the direction D2. Thus, as the cassette 20 slides across the surface of the shuttle 30, the retractable rollers 33 are pushed down (by the underside of the cassette 20) into the body of the shuttle 30. When the cassette 20 reaches the position shown in FIG. 11, an optional backstop 34 projecting upward from the rear end of the shuttle abuts the front end 23 of the cassette 20. When the cassette 20 reaches this final position, the retractable rollers 33 engage a lower recess (not shown) on the cassette 20 to hold the cassette 20 fixed (and centered) on the shuttle 30. . In an optional preferred feature, hooks are provided to secure the cassette in place on the shuttle when the cassette has reached its final position (ie, fully received in housing 11).
[0078]
In an optional preferred feature, differently sized cassettes are advantageously formed with a leading surface and a bottom surface that engage the adjustment / detent mechanism at the same location, thereby allowing differently sized cassettes 20 to be placed on the shuttle 30. It can be gripped by the adjustment / detent mechanism.
[0079]
In a preferred feature, the cassette 20 may be configured to release a lock latch 210 (FIG. 20) that releases the cassette when the elevated stop 32 is received in the central slot 22. In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanisms 211 of these latches are balanced about their pivot point 212, so that the overhang 32 presses on the slide mechanism 214 and moves the slide mechanism in the D direction. Then, the drive mechanism 211 is rotated in the R direction, the latch 212 is released, and the cassette 20 is released (the upper cover 21 is released). Advantageously, the pivot point 212 is located at the center of gravity of the drive mechanism 211, so that the latch is not released due to an impact on the cassette such as when it falls.
[0080]
Further details of the optional system for opening the top cover 21 of the cassette 20 are shown in the sequence diagrams of FIGS. FIG. 16 shows a view of the cassette 20 / shuttle 30 assembly in a position partially received in the housing 11. The pawl 100 is slidable along a pair of slots 101, which are preferably located on either side of the cassette 20 / shuttle 30 assembly, as indicated by the dashed lines. A spring 102 is connected to a fixed point 103 (preferably on the housing 11). As the shuttle 30 moves in the D1 direction toward its final position (FIG. 17), the pawl 101 engages the upper cover 21 and pulls upward, thereby opening the upper cover 21 of the cassette. Further, the spring 102 maintains the bias in the direction opposite to the direction in which the cassette 20 is inserted, and thereby maintains a constant pressure at the contact portion between the claw 1000 and the upper cover 21, whereby the cassette 20 is The claw 100 does not come off the upper cover 21 when moving with the shuttle 30. It should be understood that the present invention may comprise a comparable system in which the bottom cover of cassette 20 is alternatively opened.
[0081]
(D) Scanner / imaging plate transport system and discharge area
As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging plate 40 is positioned across the surface of the reference plate 71 of the scanner assembly 70 by the friction belt rollers 60. Further preferred details of this feature of the invention are shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 as follows.
[0082]
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the present system. Scanner assembly 70 comprises a multi-head rotary scanner 72 having a plurality of scan heads 73, but scans back and forth in a single-head scanner and in a straight scan path (as opposed to moving about a rotary scan path). Other scanners may be used instead, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. Also, in a preferred aspect, the rotary scanner has three (120 ° apart) scan heads 73, but systems with other numbers of scan heads are also contemplated according to the invention.
[0083]
As can be seen in FIGS. 12 to 14, the reference plate 71 preferably has a slot 74 therethrough. The curved slot 74 is disposed immediately above the path of the continuous scanning head 73. Thus, as each continuous scan head 73 passes along the slot 74, it scans across a curved line across the plane of the imaging plate 40. The slot 74 is preferably formed such that it has a length such that only one of the three scan heads 73 passes thereunder at a time.
[0084]
The reference plate 71 is preferably formed of a low friction material. Suitable examples include acrylics, glass or coated aluminum, although any suitable material is contemplated.
[0085]
As shown in FIG. 13, a part of the friction belt roller 60 (wrapped around the pair of rollers 61) can be urged downward by the pressure plate 65 toward the reference plate 71. In a preferred feature, the pressure plate 65 consists of an element with a substantially flat bottom surface that can be pressed (by spring, hydraulic pressure, etc.) away from the fixed body or surface 66 so that the pressure plate 65 Holds the imaging plate 40 firmly against the reference plate 71 as the imaging plate 61 passes over the slot 74 (in either direction). Thus, a light-tight seal is maintained between the scanner 70 and the imaging plate 40 (this allows erroneous light from the eraser assembly 50 to "scan the area" (i.e., the imaging plate 40 is actually scanned). At the position of the slot 74). A scanning laser beam 79 emitted from the scanning head 73A is shown.
[0086]
FIG. 14 shows a top view of a reference plate 71 (with a slot 74 through which the scanning heads 73A, 73B, 73C pass continuously as the scanner 70 rotates).
[0087]
FIG. 15 shows the position occupied by the imaging plate 40 before the start of scanning. As described above, the continuous scanning head 73 is located in and moves along the curved groove 74, thereby scanning across the surface (opposite the bottom) of the imaging plate 40. Of course, it is necessary to first move the imaging plate 40 a distance such that its proximal end 42 is located at the distal end of the slot 74 before scanning.
[0088]
Thus, the width of any particular imaging plate determines the position at which the imaging plate is located before starting to scan (whereupon imaging plate 40 moves in the D3 direction across the scanner). In particular, if a wide imaging plate is used, it must be located rather behind the surface of the scanner (ie, further away from the eraser assembly 50). Conversely, when a narrow imaging plate (such as plate 40A shown in dashed lines) is used, it may be located further forward (ie, closer to eraser 50) on the surface of the scanner at the beginning of the scan. Good. This allows the (larger size) portion 43 of the (larger size) imaging plate 40 to be received in the discharge area 80 (FIG. 5), while the (larger size) of the (larger size) imaging plate 40A The portion 43A (of size) is received in the discharge area 80 (FIG. 5).
[0089]
Thus, the total length of the ejection area 80 occupied by a portion of the imaging plate 40 before the start of the scan depends on the size of the imaging plate 40 that is scanned and erased by the system. However, regardless of the size of the imaging plate 40 used, an advantage of the system of the present invention is that the curved ejection area 80 need not exceed the length of the imaging plate (the proximal end 42 of the imaging plate is slotted). This is because the position of the imaging plate remains on the upper surface of the reference plate 71 as long as it is located behind the reference plate 74).
[0090]
Alternatively, a continuous friction belt 150 can be wrapped around a plurality of rollers 151A, 151B, 151C as shown in FIG. And can be used to pass through the scanner 70.
[0091]
(E) Examination of antistatic cassette
Finally, FIG. 18 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the antistatic system incorporated into cassette 20. In particular, static electricity tends to be generated when the imaging plate 40 is removed from the cassette 20 and inserted into the cassette 20.
[0092]
In accordance with the present invention, a fiber liner 200 may be positioned to contact a conductive plastic 202 that is grounded to external contacts (eg, electronics 204) of the cassette. The cassette electronics 204 is preferably grounded to the housing 11 so that any generated electrostatic energy is dissipated each time the cassette 20 is located in the housing 11. Preferably, a standard lead layer 205 is placed under the fiber liner 200 using a tape layer 206 that holds the assembly together.
[0093]
In an alternative preferred embodiment, the inner conductive fiber liner 200 is electrically connected to the external contacts of the cassette, where it can contact a ground point on the housing 11 of the system 10.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus of the present invention in which an operator has inserted an imaging plate cassette.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 1 after an operator has inserted an imaging plate cassette into the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 after the shuttle has been moved and the cassette has been pushed into the device, showing the cassette placed over the scanner;
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 after opening the image cassette, showing the imaging plate removed from the cassette and passing through the erasing assembly.
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, in which the imaging plate is arranged such that the tip of the imaging plate is in a curved ejection area on the tip side of the scanner.
FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of one embodiment of an erase assembly of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the erase assembly of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 6C is a schematic side view of still another embodiment of the erase assembly of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 6D is a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of the erase assembly of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6A.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of optional preferred features of the eraser assembly.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a shuttle for moving the imaging cassette into the housing of the device.
FIG. 10 is a view of the imaging plate cassette approaching the tip of the shuttle.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of an imaging plate cassette interlocked with a shuttle.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a scanner including a reference plate and a friction roller belt thereon.
FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of an imaging plate to be scanned.
FIG. 14 is a top view of the scanner.
FIG. 15 is a top view of the scanner and erasure assembly showing the position of the imaging plate before the start of scanning.
FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of a mechanism for opening an upper cover of the cassette (before opening the cassette).
FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of the mechanism for opening the upper cover of the cassette (after opening the cassette).
FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the edge of a preferred imaging plate cassette (with the imaging plate mounted).
FIG. 19 is a schematic side view of a system with a single continuous belt moving the imaging plate back and forth and passing the scanner through the eraser assembly.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a latch system of the imaging plate cassette.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Housing
20 Imaging plate cassette
30 Shuttle (Imaging plate cassette supply assembly)
40 Imaging Plate
50 Erasing assembly
60 friction belt roller (imaging plate transport assembly)
70 Scanner

Claims (106)

In a system that combines scanning and erasing of the imaging plate,
(A) a housing and (b) disposed in the housing;
(I) a mechanism for retracting the imaging plate cassette into the housing;
(Ii) a mechanism for opening the imaging plate cassette;
(Iii) a mechanism for taking out the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette,
An imaging plate cassette supply assembly;
(C) a scanner disposed in the housing;
(D) a curved path erasure assembly disposed between the imaging plate cassette supply assembly and the scanner;
(E) an imaging plate transport assembly for moving the imaging plate back and forth in a path from the imaging plate cassette through the erasing assembly and through a scan area adjacent to the scanner;
System consisting of The imaging plate cassette supply assembly is located on top of the housing;
The system of claim 1, wherein the scanner is located at a lower portion of the housing. The imaging plate cassette supply assembly is located at a lower portion of the housing;
The system of claim 1, wherein the scanner is located on the top of the housing. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate cassette supply assembly is located parallel to the scanner. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate cassette supply assembly positions the imaging cassette such that the imaging plate cassette and the scanner are positioned upside down when the cassette is opened. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate cassette supply assembly moves the imaging cassette back and forth in a path parallel to a direction in which the imaging plate moves as the imaging plate is scanned by the scanner. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate is turned over as the imaging plate moves along a path extending from the imaging plate cassette. The system of claim 1, wherein the scanner and erasure assembly are positioned sufficiently close to each other such that some portions of the imaging plate are erased and other portions are scanned. A mechanism for retracting the imaging plate cassette into the housing includes:
A shuttle for holding the imaging plate cassette;
2. The system of claim 1, comprising a shuttle positioning assembly for moving the shuttle back and forth within the housing. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shuttle positioning assembly moves the shuttle a sufficient distance such that the entire cassette is retracted into the housing. The system of claim 9, wherein the shuttle has an alignment guide that centers the imaging plate cassette. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjustment guide has an elevated stop. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising the imaging plate cassette, the imaging plate cassette having a slot sized to match the overhang. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the elevated stop unlatches the slot of the cassette, thereby unlocking the cassette and opening the cassette. The system of claim 9, wherein the shuttle has at least one detent mechanism that securely retains the cassette therein. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one detent mechanism comprises a pair of retractable spring rollers. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising the imaging plate cassette, the imaging plate cassette having at least one recess sized to match the detent mechanism thereon. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shuttle prevents movement of the cassette beyond a reference position when the cassette is slidably positioned on the shuttle. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the structure includes a backstop. 10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the mechanism for opening the imaging plate cassette comprises a pawl sized to engage the cover of the cassette and pull the cover open when the shuttle moves the cassette to a final position within the housing. The described system. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the pawl is biased to maintain a constant grip on the cover of the cassette while opening the cassette. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the pawl moves along a track while opening the cassette. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cover is a top cover of the cassette. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cover is a bottom cover of the cassette. The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for removing the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette comprises a friction gripper roller positionable with respect to the imaging plate. The curved path erasure assembly comprises:
Curved windows,
At least one erasing light source disposed adjacent to the curved window to guide erasing light through the curved window;
The system of claim 1 comprising: 27. A high reflection receiving surface disposed around said at least one erasing light source, whereby said at least one erasing light source is disposed between said curved window and said high reflection receiving surface. System. A high-reflection receiving surface located on the side of the window opposite the at least one erasing light source, such that when the imaging plate occupies a portion of the area exposed by the window, 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the remaining exposed area exposes a portion of the highly reflective receiving surface. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein said at least one erasing light source comprises a plurality of LEDs. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein said LED is a white LED. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises a plurality of LED arrays spaced about the curved window. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein each of the LED arrays comprises a narrow elongate array disposed perpendicular to a path extending across the scanner from the imaging plate cassette through the eraser assembly. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of LEDs are mounted on a flexible circuit board that conforms to a shape of the curved path eraser assembly. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein a region of the curved window located between at least some of the LEDs is coated with a highly reflective material. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the highly reflective material is selected from the group consisting of a mirror, white paint, white silk screen, white plastic, and aluminized plastic. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one fluorescent tube. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein said at least one fluorescent tube comprises a hot cathode or cold cathode fluorescent tube. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the at least one fluorescent tube comprises a plurality of fluorescent tubes spaced around the curved window. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the at least one fluorescent tube comprises a plurality of fluorescent tubes spaced along a length of the curved window. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the highly reflective surface comprises a surface coated with a highly reflective material selected from the group consisting of a mirror, white paint, white silk screen, white plastic, and aluminized plastic. 37. The system of claim 36, further comprising at least one heating element positioned adjacent to the at least one fluorescent tube. 37. The system of claim 36, further comprising insulation located adjacent to the at least one fluorescent tube. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein said curved window is formed of a low friction material. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein said low friction material is selected from the group consisting of acrylics, polycarbonates, or glass. 27. The system of claim 26, further comprising a curved member spaced from the curved window a distance sufficient to pass an imaging plate. 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the flexure is formed of a low friction material. 47. The system of claim 46, wherein the low friction material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, polycarbonate, glass, zinc coated steel sheet, and Teflon impregnated electroless nickel. 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the curved window surrounds the curved member. 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the bending member surrounds the bending window. 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the bending member and the bending window can be moved apart, thereby facilitating clogging. 51. The system of claim 50, wherein the bending member and the bending window are attached to different elements of the system. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one erasing light source comprises a light source selected from the group consisting of a gas-filled lamp, a Na lamp, a Ne lamp, a metal halogen lamp, and a Xe lamp. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein said at least one erasing light source comprises a white light source. The curved path erasure assembly comprises:
A translucent drum,
At least one erasing light source disposed in the drum;
A curved member spaced at a distance from the drum and at least partially surrounded around the drum;
The system of claim 1 comprising: The system of claim 54, wherein the translucent drum is a rotating drum. A curved path erasing assembly,
Curved windows,
At least one erasing light source arranged adjacent to the curved window and guiding erasing light through the curved window;
An erasing assembly consisting of: further,
57. The device of claim 56, comprising a highly reflective surface disposed about the at least one erasing light source, whereby the at least one erasing light source is disposed between the curved window and the highly reflective surface. Assembly. The system of claim 1, wherein the scanner comprises a multi-head rotary scanner. 59. The system of claim 58, wherein said multi-head rotary scanner has three scanning heads. The scanner has a movable scanning head, the movable scanning head having a reference plate covering the scanner, the reference plate having a slot therethrough, wherein light from the movable scanning head is 59. The system of claim 1 or 58, wherein the system reads an image stored on the imaging plate as it passes through the slot, thereby passing the imaging plate across the reference plate. 61. The system of claim 60, wherein said reference plate is formed of a low friction material. 62. The system of claim 61, wherein the low friction material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, glass, or coated aluminum. 61. The system of claim 60, wherein the imaging plate transport assembly comprises a friction belt roller assembly that slides the imaging plate across a surface of the reference plate. 64. The system of claim 63, further comprising a pressure plate for biasing the friction belt against a surface of the reference plate. The friction belt roller assembly includes:
A pair of rollers,
A friction belt wrapped around the pair of rollers,
65. The system of claim 64, comprising: The system of claim 65, wherein the pressure plate biases a portion of the friction belt disposed between the pair of rollers. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate transport system comprises a pair of friction gripping rollers arranged to move the imaging plate through the erasing assembly. 68. The system of claim 67, further comprising a friction belt roller assembly for moving said imaging plate through said scan area. 68. The system of claim 67, wherein the friction belt roller assembly is arranged to move the imaging plate across a reference plate covering the scanner. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging plate transport system comprises a continuous friction belt on a pair of rollers for moving the imaging plate through the eraser assembly and through the scan area. The system of claim 1, further comprising an imaging plate ejection area located distal to the scanner. 72. The system of claim 71, wherein the discharge area is curved. 72. The system of claim 71, wherein a scan area adjacent to the scanner from the imaging plate cassette via the eraser assembly extends to the discharge area. 72. The system of claim 71, wherein the length of the ejection area is less than or equal to the length of the scanner. The system of claim 1, further comprising the imaging plate cassette. 77. The system of claim 75, wherein the imaging plate cassette has an inner conductive fiber layer covering a grounded conductive plastic member. 77. The system of claim 75, wherein the conductive plastic member is located at external contacts on the housing of the combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate. The imaging plate cassette further includes an electronic circuit, wherein the conductive plastic member is mounted on the electronic circuit, and the electronic circuit is grounded to the housing of the combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate. The system of claim 75. 76. The system of claim 75, wherein the imaging plate cassette further comprises a latching mechanism with a balancing drive, which reduces the tendency of the latching mechanism to be released by a sudden impact. In a method of scanning and erasing the imaging plate using a system that combines scanning and erasure of the imaging plate,
(A) inserting an imaging plate cassette in which the imaging plate is stored into a system combining scanning and erasing of the imaging plate;
(B) pushing the imaging plate cassette into a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate;
(C) opening the imaging plate cassette,
(D) removing the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette,
(E) moving the imaging plate to a path extending through a scan area adjacent to the scanner via a curved eraser assembly;
(F) scanning the image on the imaging plate with the scanner;
(G) moving the imaging plate back through the erase area through the scan area;
(H) erasing the imaging plate with the erasing assembly;
(I) returning the imaging plate to the imaging plate cassette;
(J) closing the imaging plate cassette;
(K) extruding the imaging plate cassette from a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate;
A method consisting of steps. 81. The method of claim 80, further comprising moving at least a distal end of the imaging plate to an ejection area located distally of the scanner before scanning an image on the imaging plate. 83. The method of claim 81, wherein after moving the imaging plate to a discharge area located distally of the scanner, the imaging plate reverses direction. 81. The method of claim 80, further comprising moving at least a distal end of the imaging plate to a discharge area located distally of the scanner after scanning an image on the imaging plate. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein after moving the imaging plate to a discharge area located distal to the scanner, the imaging plate reverses direction. Pushing the imaging plate cassette into a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate,
Holding the imaging plate on a movable shuttle,
Moving the shuttle to push the imaging plate cassette into a combined scanning and erasing system for the imaging plate;
81. The method of claim 80, comprising steps. 86. The method of claim 85, wherein the shuttle moves the imaging plate cassette a distance sufficient to push the imaging plate cassette into a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate. 86. The method according to claim 85, wherein the imaging plate cassette is positioned such that the imaging plate cassette and the scanner are positioned one above the other when the cassette is opened. 86. The method of claim 85, wherein retaining the imaging plate on a movable shuttle comprises aligning an adjustment guide on the movable shuttle with a slot on the imaging plate cassette. The imaging plate cassette moves the shuttle a distance sufficient for the movable pawl to engage the cover of the cassette and pull open the cover as the shuttle moves to a final position within the housing. 81. The method according to claim 80, wherein said releasing is performed. The imaging plate,
Pulling out the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette using a friction gripping roller,
81. The method of claim 80, wherein the step removes from the imaging plate cassette. Erasing an image on the imaging plate comprises moving the imaging plate along the curved window, wherein at least one erasing light source directs erasing light through the curved window to the imaging plate. 81. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method is arranged as follows. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one light source comprises a plurality of LEDs. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one fluorescent tube. The at least one light source comprises a plurality of parallel fluorescent tubes, which are spaced at least 1.2 times the diameter of the fluorescent tubes so that light from the back of the fluorescent tubes reaches the imaging plate. Item 90. The method according to Item 93. 81. The light of claim 80, wherein light from the at least one fluorescent tube passes through the curved window and is reflected by a highly reflective surface disposed around the at least one fluorescent tube disposed opposite the curved window. the method of. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein moving the imaging plate along the curved window comprises sliding the imaging plate along a surface of the curved window. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein moving the imaging plate along the curved window comprises moving the imaging plate between a curved member located away from the curved window and the curved window. . 93. The method of claim 92, wherein regions of the curved window located between at least some of the LEDs are coated with a highly reflective material. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein scanning an image on the imaging plate with the scanner causes the imaging plate to pass through a scan area located adjacent to the scanner. The scanner has a reference plate having a slot therethrough, light from a movable scanning head of the scanner passes through the slot, and
Scanning the image stored in the imaging plate by moving the scanning head,
Sliding the imaging plate across the reference plate,
100. The method of claim 99 comprising steps. Scanning the image stored on the imaging plate by moving the scanning head,
Rotating the multi-head scanner so that the continuous operating head passes through the slot in the reference plate;
100. The method of claim 99 comprising steps. 100. The method of claim 99, wherein a friction belt roller slides the imaging plate across the reference plate. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein a portion of the imaging plate is erased while scanning another portion of the imaging plate. 103. The method of claim 102, wherein the friction belt presses the imaging plate against the reference plate, thereby preventing erasing light from reaching unread portions of the imaging plate. 92. The method of claim 91, wherein the erasing light source turns off while the imaging plate passes before scanning and turns on after scanning, thereby erasing portions of the imaging plate only after scanning. In a method of erasing an imaging plate using a system that combines scanning and erasure of the imaging plate,
(A) inserting an imaging plate cassette in which the imaging plate is stored into a system combining scanning and erasing of the imaging plate;
(B) pushing the imaging plate cassette into a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate;
(C) opening the imaging plate cassette,
(D) removing the imaging plate from the imaging plate cassette,
(E) moving the imaging plate to a path extending through a scan area adjacent to the scanner via a curved eraser assembly;
(F) moving the imaging plate back through the erasing assembly through the scan area;
(G) erasing the imaging plate with the erasing assembly when performing both steps (e) and (f);
(H) returning the imaging plate to the imaging plate cassette;
(I) closing the imaging plate cassette;
(J) extruding the imaging plate cassette from a combined scanning and erasing system of the imaging plate;
A method consisting of steps.