Michael J Monahan

US Patent:

6555838, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Nov 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721014

Inventors:

Troy W. Livingston - Northbrook IL
Michael Monahan - Beach Park IL

Assignee:

Essex Electro Engineering, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G03B 4208

US Classification:

250585, 250584, 250586

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for radiographic image includes a plurality of light emitting diodes two of which produce light in the optical or visible wavelengths, another one of which produces light in an infrared wavelength so that pumping light can be supplied to a variety of radiographic substrate media. The pumping light is supplied to the medium by a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array as the medium is scanned beneath the fibers. A second plurality of linear optical fibers picks up phosphorescent emissions from the radiographic medium due to the pumping light excitation and supplies the emissions to a photodiode or other optical receiver where the light intensity is translated into an electrical signal. The signal is sent to a processor which generates an image signal. The image signal may then be converted into an image representative of the latent x-ray image on the radiographic medium.