Computed radiography system for mammography

US8008642B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC · US

Inventors

• Stefan Schweizer · Paderborn, DE
• Jacqueline Johnson · Tullahoma, US
• Anthony R. Lubinsky · Penfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 30, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 14, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T1/2012
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A computed radiography system including a stimulating light source such as a laser, a photostimulable glass imaging plate (PGIP) substantially transparent to the stimulating light positioned such that the stimulating light impinges the PGIP perpendicularly thereto producing photostimulated luminescence light (PLL), a light collector having a light reflecting inner surface proximate the PGIP for collecting PLL emitted from the PGIP and having a hole or slot therein for admitting stimulating light into the light collector and onto the PGIP. An optical filter in communication with the light collector for blocking stimulating light waves and passing PLL therethrough. A light detector receives PLL from the optical filter and the light collector, mechanism providing relative movement between the PGIP and the stimulating light source, and mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout. The system is particularly useful in mammography.