Radiation image read-out method and apparatus Number:6,768,129 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet. Light emitted by the sheet is received with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays. The emitted light, which has thus been received, is guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device. The emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, is detected with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device.<H apparatus, Radiation, Radiation, image, 6768129.html, Patent, pto, 6768129

Title: Radiation image read-out method and apparatus

Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet. Light emitted by the sheet is received with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays. The emitted light, which has thus been received, is guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device. The emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, is detected with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device.

Patent Number: 6,768,129 Issued on 07/27/2004 to Karasawa

Inventors: Karasawa; Hiroyuki (Kaisei-machi, JP)
Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, JP)

Appl. No.: 09/943,352

Filed: August 31, 2001

Foreign Application Priority Data


Aug 31, 2000 [JP]			2000-262857

Current U.S. Class: 250/584 ; 250/585; 250/586

Current International Class: G03B 42/08 (20060101); G03B 42/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 250/586,585,584

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


4767927	August 1988	Ohyama et al.
4778994	October 1988	Conrad et al.
4778995	October 1988	Kulpinski et al.
4816679	March 1989	Sunagawa et al.
4922103	May 1990	Kawajiri et al.
5039854	August 1991	Yip et al.

Foreign Patent Documents


60-111568	Jun., 1985	JP
60-236354	Nov., 1985	JP
1-101540	Apr., 1989	JP

Other References

Patent Abstract of Japan 01-101540 Apr. 19, 1989..

Primary Examiner: Hannaher; Constantine
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein at least one line sensor is located at a region of one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, a region of the one end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, at least one line sensor is located at a region of a different end face of the light guide device, which different end face stands facing the one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor stands facing the region of the one end face of the light guide device, which region is formed as the light reflecting surface, and a region of the different end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface.

2. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into pixels, which are arrayed along an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices of the line sensor and at a pitch identical with an array pitch of the photoelectric conversion devices.

3. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a light collecting optical system, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by the light collecting optical system toward the light guide device.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a plurality of light collecting optical systems, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by each of the light collecting optical systems toward the light guide device.

5. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein at least one line sensor is located at a region of one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, a region of the one end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, at least one line sensor is located at a region of a different end face of the light guide device, which different end face stands facing the one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor stands facing the region of the one end face of the light guide device, which region is formed as the light reflecting surface, and a region of the different end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface.

6. A radiation image read-out apparatus comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into pixels, which are arrayed along an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices of the line sensor and at a pitch identical with an array pitch of the photoelectric conversion devices.

7. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the apparatus further comprises a light collecting optical system, which is located between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the light guide device, the light collecting optical system collecting the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been collected, toward the light guide device.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a plurality of light collecting optical systems, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by each of the light collecting optical systems toward the light guide device.

9. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received toward the end faces of the light guide device.

10. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

11. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed alone the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the end faces are disposed substantially parallel to the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

12. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein a first end face of the end faces is disposed at an upstream end of the light guide device and a second end face of the end faces is disposed at a downstream end of the light guide device.

13. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is located at one of two end faces of the light guide device, which end faces stand facing each other, such that each of the two line sensors is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and outputs of photoelectric conversion devices of the two line sensors, which photoelectric conversion devices correspond to an identical site on the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, are added to each other, and wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received toward the end faces of the light guide device.

14. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is located at one of two end faces of the light guide device, which end faces stand facing each other, such that each of the two line sensors is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and outputs of photoelectric conversion devices of the two line sensors, which photoelectric conversion devices correspond to an identical site on the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, are added to each other, and wherein each of two line sensors is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

15. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed alone the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the line sensor is located at one end face of the light guide device, such that the line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and an end face of the light guide device, the end face being located on a side opposite to the one end face at which the line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, and wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received toward the end faces of the light guide device.

16. A radiation image read-out method, comprising the steps of: i) linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, with stimulating ray irradiating means, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with one surface of a light guide device, which is located such that the one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the emitted light, which has thus been received, being guided through the light guide device toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from at least one end face of the light guide device, with a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the line sensor is located at one end face of the light guide device, such that the line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and an end face of the light guide device, the end face being located on a side opposite to the one end face at which the line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, and wherein the line sensor is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

17. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received and converts the portion into fluorescence, toward the end faces of the light guide device.

18. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

19. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed alone at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the end faces are disposed substantially parallel to the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

20. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein a first end face of the end faces is disposed at an upstream end of the light guide device and a second end face of the end faces is disposed at a downstream end of the light guide device.

21. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein at least one line sensor is located at a region of one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, a region of the one end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, at least one line sensor is located at a region of a different end face of the light guide device, which different end face stands facing the one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor stands facing the region of the one end face of the light guide device, which region is formed as the light reflecting surface, and a region of the different end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface.

22. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into pixels, which are arrayed along an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices of the line sensor and at a pitch identical with an array pitch of the photoelectric conversion devices.

23. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a light collecting optical system, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by the light collecting optical system toward the light guide device.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a plurality of light collecting optical systems, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by each of the light collecting optical systems toward the light guide device.

25. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device, converting the emitted light, which has thus been received, into fluorescence, and guiding the fluorescence toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the fluorescence, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and thereby indirectly detecting the emitted light, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein at least one line sensor is located at a region of one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, a region of the one end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, at least one line sensor is located at a region of a different end face of the light guide device, which different end face stands facing the one end face of the light guide device, such that the at least one line sensor stands facing the region of the one end face of the light guide device, which region is formed as the light reflecting surface, and a region of the different end face of the light guide device, at which region no line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface.

26. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device, converting the emitted light, which has thus been received, into fluorescence, and guiding the fluorescence toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the fluorescence, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and thereby indirectly detecting the emitted light, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the light guide device is divided into pixels, which are arrayed along an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices of the line sensor and at a pitch identical with an array pitch of the photoelectric conversion devices.

27. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device, converting the emitted light, which has thus been received, into fluorescence, and guiding the fluorescence toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the fluorescence, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and thereby indirectly detecting the emitted light, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the apparatus further comprises a light collecting optical system, which is located between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the light guide device, the light collecting optical system collecting the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been collected, toward the light guide device.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is collected with a plurality of light collecting optical systems, and the emitted light, which has thus been collected, is guided by each of the light collecting optical systems toward the light guide device.

29. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is located at one of two end faces of the light guide device, which end faces stand facing each other, such that each of the two line sensors is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and outputs of photoelectric conversion devices of the two line sensors, which photoelectric conversion devices correspond to an identical site on the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, are added to each other, and wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received toward the end faces of the light guide device.

30. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the line sensor is located at one end face of the light guide device, such that the line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and an end face of the light guide device, the end face being located on a side opposite to the one end face at which the line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, and wherein the light guide device is divided into a plurality of sections along the length direction, wherein each section channels a portion of the light received toward the end faces of the light guide device.

31. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein each of two line sensors is located at one of two end faces of the light guide device, which end faces stand facing each other, such that each of the two line sensors is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and outputs of photoelectric conversion devices of the two line sensors, which photoelectric conversion devices correspond to an identical site on the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, are added to each other, and wherein each of the two line sensors is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

32. A radiation image read-out apparatus, comprising: i) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, ii) a light guide device, which is located such that one surface stands facing the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, the light guide device receiving the light, which has been emitted from the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, with the one surface of the light guide device and guiding the emitted light, which has thus been received, toward end faces of the light guide device, iii) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along at least one end face of the light guide device, the line sensor detecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the at least one end face of the light guide device, and iv) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the stimulating ray irradiating means, the light guide device, and the line sensor and in a direction, which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, wherein the line sensor is located at one end face of the light guide device, such that the line sensor is capable of detecting the light, which is emitted from an approximately overall length of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and an end face of the light guide device, the end face being located on a side opposite to the one end face at which the line sensor is located, is formed as a light reflecting surface, and wherein the line sensor is capable of detecting the light which is emitted from a subarea of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a radiation image read-out method and apparatus, wherein stimulating rays are irradiated to a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, and light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, is photoelectrically detected, an image signal representing the radiation image being thereby obtained. This invention particularly relates to a radiation image read-out method and apparatus, wherein the stimulating rays are linearly irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet is detected with a line sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Radiation image recording and reproducing systems, wherein a stimulable phosphor sheet, which comprises a substrate and a layer of a stimulable phosphor overlaid on the substrate, have heretofore been widely used in practice.

With the radiation image recording and reproducing systems, a stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to radiation carrying image information of an object, such as a human body, and a radiation image of the object is thereby recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Thereafter, stimulating rays, such as a laser beam, are caused to scan the stimulable phosphor sheet in two-dimensional directions. The stimulating rays cause an exposed area of the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The light emitted from the exposed area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, upon stimulation thereof, is photoelectrically detected and converted into an electric image signal by photoelectric read-out means.

The image signal, which has been obtained from the radiation image recording and reproducing systems described above, is then subjected to image processing, such as gradation processing and processing in the frequency domain, such that a visible radiation image, which has good image quality and can serve as an effective tool in, particularly, the efficient and accurate diagnosis of an illness, can be obtained. The image signal having been obtained from the image processing is utilized for reproducing a visible image for diagnosis, or the like, on film or displaying a visible image for diagnosis, or the like, on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device. In cases where the stimulable phosphor sheet, from which the image signal has been detected, is then exposed to erasing light, and energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is thereby released, the erased stimulable