Christopher Mitchell

US Patent:

6490339, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/007815

Inventors:

Christopher R. Mitchell - Pleasanton CA
Joseph R. Rimsa - Milpitas CA
Edward P. Donlon - San Jose CA
Gregory A. Sprehn - Livermore CA

Assignee:

Alara, Inc. - Hayward CA

International Classification:

G01N 2304

US Classification:

378 62

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming and reading a radiation image of an object is provided. The method is performed by placing an object of which a radiation image is to be taken adjacent a platform that is positioned between a storage layer radiation screen and an electromagnetic wave radiation source such that radiation from the electromagnetic wave radiation source which traverses the object is absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; forming a latent radiation image of the object on the storage layer radiation screen by causing the electromagnetic wave radiation source to emit radiation, a portion of the emitted radiation traversing the object and being absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; and reading the latent radiation image of the object from the storage layer radiation screen.

US Patent:

6510197, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Jan 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/481299

Inventors:

Christopher R. Mitchell - Pleasanton CA
Joseph R. Rimsa - Milpitas CA
Edward P. Donlon - San Jose CA
Gregory A. Sprehn - Livermore CA

Assignee:

Alara, Inc. - Hayward CA

International Classification:

G01N 2304

US Classification:

378 62, 378 50, 378 54, 378195, 378208, 378209, 378210

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming and reading a radiation image of an object is provided. The method is performed by placing an object of which a radiation image is to be taken adjacent a platform that is positioned between a storage layer radiation screen and an electromagnetic wave radiation source such that radiation from the electromagnetic wave radiation source which traverses the object is absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; forming a latent radiation image of the object on the storage layer radiation screen by causing the electromagnetic wave radiation source to emit radiation, a portion of the emitted radiation traversing the object and being absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; and reading the latent radiation image of the object from the storage layer radiation screen.

US Patent:

7005664, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Nov 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/999318

Inventors:

Christopher R. Mitchell - Pleasanton CA, US
Jerel Smith - Boulder Creek CA, US

Assignee:

Alara, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

G03B 42/08

US Classification:

250585

Abstract:

Methods and device are provided for improved storage screen readout. In one embodiment, a storage screen readout device comprises a first wavelength source and a second wavelength source, means of collecting phosphorescence stimulated by the sources, and means of effecting relative motion between the sources and the screen in order to obtain image information. The first wavelength may be selected to pump signal on the screen to be more easily readout by said second wavelength source. The sources may direct energy sequentially onto the screen, simultaneously onto the screen, any combination of the two, or combinations with other sources.

US Patent:

20030042445, Mar 6, 2003

Filed:

Aug 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/944063

Inventors:

Christopher Mitchell - Pleasanton CA, US
Gregory Sprehn - Livermore CA, US
Stephan Hoffmann - Oakland CA, US
Joseph Rimsa - Milpitas CA, US

International Classification:

G03B042/08

US Classification:

250/584000

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for reading a latent image stored on a storage layer radiation screen, the apparatus comprising: a light source adapted to provide excitation light across a width of a storage layer radiation screen; and an excitation and image acquisition station comprising a mechanism for shaping the excitation light as an elongated region of excitation light across the width of the screen, optics for collecting a region of light emitted by a lateral strip of the screen excited by the elongated region of excitation light, and an elongated pixelated sensor array positioned to capture from the optics the region of light emitted by the screen; wherein the latent image stored on the screen is read by collecting and capturing light emitted from the screen as the screen moves past the excitation and image acquisition station.

US Patent:

20050156125, Jul 21, 2005

Filed:

Nov 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/998292

Inventors:

Joseph Rimsa - Palo Alto CA, US
Christopher Mitchell - Pleasanton CA, US
Karl Minser - Los Gatos CA, US
Charles Cantoni - San Ramon CA, US

Assignee:

ALARA, INC. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

G03B042/08

US Classification:

250584000

Abstract:

A method and system is provided for improving and organizing workflow of a computed radiography system comprising of one or more storage phosphor readers, and multiple workstations which control and receive image data from the readers. In one embodiment, the method comprises temporarily associating an imaging cassette, containing a storage phosphor imaging plate, with a specific workstation. The imaging cassette is transported to the reader and inserted into the reader. The image plate reader is temporarily associated with the specific workstation. This temporary association allows the workstation to control the reader; and allow for sending of an X-ray image data from the reader only to the specific workstation. In other embodiments, this workflow may be adapted for use with networks having a plurality of image plate readers and a plurality of workstations.