Radiation image read-out method and apparatus

1. A radiation image read-out method of reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in which stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projecting means onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises that

the stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed in a read-out position, and

said radiation image is read out while the stimulating light projecting means and the line sensor are being moved relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction,

wherein the stimulating light projecting means projects the stimulating light having a linear beam shape extending in the main scanning direction.

2. A radiation image read-out method of reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in which stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projecting means onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises that

the stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed in a read-out position, and

said radiation image is read out while the stimulating light projecting means and the line sensor are being moved relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction,

wherein the stimulating light projecting means projects the stimulating light having a linear cross sectional beam shape.

3. A radiation image read-out method of reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in which stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projecting means onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises that

the stimulable phosphor sheet is fixed in a read-out position, and

said radiation image is read out while the stimulating light projecting means and the line sensor are being moved relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction,

wherein the line sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric convertor elements arranged in a row along the main scanning direction.

4. A radiation image read-out method of reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet in which stimulating light is projected by a stimulating light projecting means onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by a line sensor extending in the main scanning direction with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises that

the stimulable phosphor sheet is located in the direction of its thickness by the use of one side thereof, and

projection of the stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet, dection of the stimulated emission by the line sensor, and projection of erasing light for erasing the residual energy of the radiation in the stimulable phosphor sheet onto the stimulable phosphor sheet are carried out from the other side of the stimulable phosphor sheet,

wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet is supported only at the one side thereof and the one side is opposite to the other side.

5. A radiation image read-out apparatus for reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet comprising a stimulating light projecting means which projects stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and a line sensor which extends in the main scanning direction and detects stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises

a fixing means which fixes the stimulable phosphor sheet 15 in a read-out position, and

a moving means which moves the stimulating light projecting means and the line sensor relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction,

wherein the stimulating light projecting means projects the stimulating light having a linear beam shape extending in the main scanning direction.

6. A radiation image read-out apparatus for reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet comprising a stimulating light projecting means which projects stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and a line sensor which extends in the main scanning direction and detects stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises

a fixing means which fixes the stimulable phosphor sheet 15 in a read-out position, and

a moving means which moves the stimulating light projecting means and the line sensor relatively to the fixed stimulable phosphor sheet in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction,

wherein the line sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric convertor elements arranged in a row along the main scanning direction.

7. A radiation image read-out apparatus for reading out a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet comprising a stimulating light projecting means which projects stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet to expose a linear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet extending in a main scanning direction to the stimulating light and a line sensor which extends in the main scanning direction and detects stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light with an imaging optical system intervening between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the line sensor or with the line sensor held in the vicinity of the stimulable phosphor sheet, wherein the improvement comprises

an erasing light projecting means which projects erasing light for erasing the residual energy of the radiation in the stimulable phosphor sheet onto the stimulable phosphor sheet, and

a stimulable phosphor sheet locating means which locates the stimulable phosphor sheet in the direction of its thickness 25 by the use of one side thereof,

the stimulating light projecting a means, the line sensor and the erasing light projecting means being arranged to respectively carry out projection of the stimulating light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet, detection of the stimulated emission, and projection of erasing light onto the stimulable phosphor sheet from the other side of the stimulable phosphor sheet,

wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet is supported only at the one side thereof and the one side is opposite to the other side.