Computed radiography x-ray cassette with rigid embedded cr plate

Abstract

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for improving the reusability of a computed radiography (CR) plate by housing it in a cassette. The CR plate remains in the cassette during scanning. The embodiments of the method and apparatus improve the reusability of the CR plate.

1 . A system comprising:
 a scanning device; and   a cassette removably coupled to the scanning device comprising a housing, a photostimulatable unit securely coupled to the housing and a cover movably coupled to the housing to move between a first position concealing the photostimulatable unit in the housing and a second position revealing the photostimulatable unit.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scanning device comprises an erasing device. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scanning device comprises a chamber to protect the photostimulatable unit from ambient energy sources when exposed. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the photostimulatable unit is a computed radiography plate. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scanning device and cassette have a complementing interconnection mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . A method comprising:
 revealing a photostimulatable unit to a scanning device without decoupling the photostimulatable unit from a cassette;   stimulating the photostimulatable unit;   scanning the activated photostimulatable unit; and   erasing the photostimulatable unit.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 closing the cassette to return the photostimulatable unit to a concealed position.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the photostimulatable unit is a computed radiography plate. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 unlocking a cover of the cassette.