Storage phosphor layer and system and method for erasing same

US7507984B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AGFA HEALTHCARE NV · BE

Inventors

• Andreas Bode · Bellevue, US
• Georg Reiser · Baden, AT
• Marc Weber · Munich, DE
• Ralph Thoma · Augsburg, DE
• Stefan Stallmeister · Glonn, DE
• Stephan Baunach · Munich, DE
• Heike Minwegen · Bad Aibling, DE
• Robert Fasbender · Ottobrunn, DE
• Rupert Dedler · Buchloe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 31, 2007
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2009
• Expiry date: Jul 31, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T1/2016
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) with a holding plane (7) in which the storage phosphor layer (2) lies or can be moved, a radiation source (8, 9, 10) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (2) with erasing radiation which is suitable for erasing the storage phosphor layer (2), and a reflector (11; 29, 30) for reflecting erasing radiation in the direction of the holding plane (7). In order to increase the erasing efficiency, provision is made such that the reflector (11; 29, 30) is arranged and/or designed such that it reflects erasing radiation, which is reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2), in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2), and the radiation source (8, 9, 10) is disposed on a base (33; 48, 49), the base (33; 48, 49) being disposed closer to the holding plane (7) than at least part of the reflector (11; 29, 30).