Patent Abstract:
An apparatus, a corresponding system, and a method for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor panel includes an input device, into which a cassette with a storage phosphor panel therein can be input, and a read-out device, in which the storage phosphor panel can be irradiated with stimulation light and the emission light excited in the storage phosphor panel is detected. In order to enable the cassette that has been input to be locked and/or opened as reliably as possible in conjunction with a simplified construction, at least one mechanical element which can be mechanically driven by a movement of the cassette upon the cassette being input into the input device locks and/or opens the cassette in the input device

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a 371 National Stage Application of PCT/EP2012/003452, filed Aug. 13, 2012. This application claims the benefit of European Application No. 11007670.0, filed Sep. 21, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a corresponding method for reading out X-ray information stored in storage phosphor panels. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The storing of X-rays penetrating an object, for example a patient, as a latent image in a so-called storage phosphor panel constitutes an option for recording X-ray images. In order to read out the latent image, the storage phosphor panel is irradiated with stimulating light and thereby stimulated to emit emission light. The emission light, the intensity of which corresponds to the image stored in the storage phosphor panel, is detected by an optical detector and converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are further processed, as required, and finally made available for analysis, in particular for medical-diagnostic purposes, by transmitting them to a corresponding output device, such as for example a monitor and/or a printer. 
         [0006]    In prior art apparatuses and systems, electromechanical actuators, mostly driven by electrical motors, are provided for locking and/or opening the cassette which has been inserted into the apparatus or the system containing the storage phosphor panel to be read out. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a corresponding method for reading out storage phosphor panels, the apparatus, system and method assuring a locking and/or opening of the inserted cassette that is as reliable as possible, while providing a straightforward structure. 
         [0008]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus, a system and a method as described below. 
         [0009]    The apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an input device into which a cassette containing a storage phosphor panel can be loaded, and a read-out device in which the storage phosphor panel is irradiated with stimulating light and in which the emission light which is thereby stimulated in the storage phosphor panel can be captured, and is characterized by at least one mechanical element which can be driven mechanically by a movement of the cassette when the latter is being loaded into the input device and which can thereby lock and/or open the cassette in the input device. 
         [0010]    Apart from the apparatus, a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cassette for receiving a storage phosphor panel. 
         [0011]    A method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps: loading a cassette containing a storage phosphor panel into an input device and irradiating the storage phosphor panel with stimulating light and thereby capturing the emission light which is thereby stimulated in the storage phosphor panel, and is characterized in that at least one mechanical element is mechanically driven by a movement of the cassette when the latter is being loaded into the input device and thereby locks and/or opens the cassette in the input device. 
         [0012]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are based on the thought that one or more mechanical elements that are driven or actuated solely by loading, in particular sliding, the cassette into the input device, keep the cassette in the input device and/or unlock and/or open the closure of the cassette. The mechanical energy for driving the mechanical elements hereby originates substantially from respectively the force or energy exerted by the operator when loading, in particular sliding in, the cassette. Maintaining, unlocking and opening the cassette hereby take place purely mechanically, for example, by using mechanical stops, latching devices, levers and tension springs, and without the electromechanical drives which are otherwise usually applied, such as electrical motors, electromagnets, relays or the like. The respective mechanical processes for maintaining, unlocking and opening the cassette are hereby triggered solely by loading the cassette—and in particular without light barriers or other detectors —, so that in this context it can also be considered a self-triggering mechanism. Analogously to the purely mechanical locking of the cassette and/or respectively the unlocking and opening of the closure of the cassette, the mechanical elements of course also allow a purely mechanically driven closing and unlocking of the closure respectively the unlocking and release of the cassette by an operator removing the cassette from the input device. 
         [0013]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow to completely omit the electromechanical components which are usually employed for loading, unlocking and opening the cassette, which significantly simplifies the structure of apparatuses and systems and simultaneously allows, not least because of the associated reduction of the susceptibility to failure, a particularly reliable locking, unlocking and opening of the loaded cassette. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the movement of the cassette being loaded into the input device is a movement carried out by an operator, in particular a translatory motion. As a result, additional electromechanical drives or the like can also be omitted when generating the movement of the cassette. 
         [0015]    Moreover, it is preferred that at least one lever or a lever system is provided as mechanical element, whereby the movement of the cassette being loaded is able to bring the lever (system) into a position in which the lever or lever system locks the cassette in a predetermined position. To that end, elements, for example protrusions, can be provided on the lever or lever system that can engage in corresponding elements on the cassette, for example grooves, when the movement of the cassette displaces the lever or lever system in a closer position to the cassette. To that end, a reliable locking of the cassette is realized in a simple way. 
         [0016]    In a further preferred embodiment, the mechanical element is provided in the form of at least one unlocking element which can be brought into a position, by the movement of the cassette being loaded, in which the unlocking element can unlock a closure provided at the cassette, in particular a pivotable cover flap. The unlocking element can, for example, be a bolt that is able to actuate a locking mechanism located in or on the cassette for locking and unlocking the cover flap. Thanks to this, the locking and unlocking of the closed cover flap of the cassette can also be realized in a simple and reliable way. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the mechanical element is provided in the form of at least one opening element which can be brought into a position, by the movement of the cassette being loaded, in which the opening element can open a closure provided on the cassette, optionally only after the closure being unlocked by the unlocking element described above. The opening element can, for example, have the form of a pivotable gripper that engages on or in the closure of the cassette, that is pivoted by a position by the movement of the cassette and that thereby shifts the preferably pivotable closure into an open position. This allows achieving a reliable opening of the cassette by using simple mechanical device. 
         [0018]    In a further preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided which can lock the mechanical element(s) in the position in which they respectively lock the cassette in the predetermined position and unlock and open the closure, and can unlock the mechanical element(s) again from the position, i.e. release it (them) from the position. The mechanical elements are hereby kept in their respective functional position in a simple and reliable way, without additional, optionally electromechanical, devices being required. 
         [0019]    Moreover, it is preferred to provide at least one tensioning element, in particular a tension spring or pressure spring, that pretension(s) the mechanical element(s) in the position in which, respectively, the cassette is locked in the predetermined position and the closure is unlocked and opened. This has the advantage that the mechanical elements, while the cassette is being removed from the input device, return by themselves into their original position and thereby respectively cause an automatic unlocking of the cassette and an automatic closing and locking of the closure. 
         [0020]    A further preferred embodiment provides that the input device comprises a support and a carriage that is able to receive the cassette and that can be moved, together with the cassette it has received, relative to the support. Preferably, the carriage is movably mounted on the support. Moreover, it is preferred that the at least one mechanical element is provided on the carriage and can be moved, together with the carriage, relative to the support. One or more of the measures allow to realize the drive and in particular the temporal sequence of the actuation of multiple different mechanical elements in a particularly simple and reliable way. 
         [0021]    Moreover, it is preferred to provide the support with one or more guiding elements that are able to modify the position of the at least one mechanical element while moving the carriage relative to the support. The guiding elements can be, for example, a stop for the at least one opening element which, when contacting the stop, cooperates with it in such a way that, for example, it is pivoted about a swivel axis. Alternatively or additionally, the guiding elements can be tapered elements that, for example, can interact with the lever or lever system in order to lock the cassette and accordingly can realize a locking and unlocking of the cassette in a predetermined position in the input device. 
         [0022]    Preferably, a tensioning element, in particular a tension spring, is provided that can pretension the carriage with respect to the support through the movement relative to the support. The tensioning element can hereby, in particular, be formed and/or arranged in such a way that a movement of the carriage in a shifting direction relative to the support generates a restoring force in a direction opposite to the shifting direction. This has the particular advantage that part of the energy used by the operator when inserting the cassette is stored in the tensioning element and is available for an automatic return movement of the carriage bearing the cassette in its interior in a direction opposite to the forward feed direction, in particular after reading out the storage phosphor panel located in the cassette, without an additional return drive being required. 
         [0023]    Moreover, it is preferred that at least one locking element, in particular a locking bolt, is provided that can lock the carriage with respect to the support, in particular automatically. In particular, the locking element and/or the carriage and/or the support are hereby formed in such a way that, when locking the carriage with respect to the support, the carriage can only be moved relative to the support in a shifting direction and not in a direction opposite to the shifting direction. Thanks to this, no further provisions, for example in the form of an unlocking mechanism, have to be made in order to enable a movement of the cassette and the carriage in the shifting direction in which the cassette is inserted in the apparatus by an operator, while at the same time the locking of the carriage prevents a movement in a direction opposite to the shifting direction. In order to release the carriage for shifting it in a direction opposite to the shifting direction, the locking element is preferably coupled to an unlocking mechanism, for example, a manually actuable lever, which, during or after being actuated by an operator, releases the locking element from its locking position. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the input device, in particular together with the carriage and/or the support, is releasably coupled to further components of the apparatus, in particular to a housing in which the read-out device can be accommodated. In particular, a manually actuable unlocking mechanism is hereby provided which is able to unlock the input device, in particular together with the carriage and/or the support, from the apparatus. This allows an operator to remove the input device, optionally together with the cassette, from the apparatus, in particular from the housing, in a simple way if such should be required in case of a failure, for example in case of a failed transfer of the storage phosphor panel to a transport mechanism in order to be transported further to the read-out device, or for maintenance purposes. 
         [0025]    In the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cassette preferably comprises a locking element that is able to keep, in particular to lock, the closure, in particular the cover flap, of the cassette in a position which locks the opening, the locking element being actuable from outside the cassette. To that end, an actuating element is preferably provided in the lateral area of the cassette which is mechanically coupled to the locking element and which can be actuated from outside the cassette, for example by an unlocking bolt which can press the actuating element over a finite distance into the cassette. 
         [0026]    The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  a schematic representation of a read-out device for reading out storage phosphor panels. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  a cross-sectional view of respectively an apparatus and a system comprising an input device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  a cross-sectional view of respectively the apparatus and system shown in  FIG. 2  with a removed input device and light cover. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  a lateral view of an input device and a cassette. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  a top view of the input device shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  a lateral view of the input device with an inserted cassette in a first phase of the insertion. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  a lateral view of the input device with an inserted cassette in a second phase of the insertion. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  a top view of the input device in the second phase of the insertion shown in  FIG. 7 , but without inserted cassette. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  a lateral view of the input device with an inserted cassette in a third phase of the insertion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a read-out device for reading out a storage phosphor panel  1 . A laser  2  generates a stimulating light beam  3  that is deflected by a deflection element  4  in such a way that the stimulating light beam moves along a line  8  across the storage phosphor panel  1  to be read out. The deflection element  4  has a reflecting area, in particular in the form of a mirror, that is made to move oscillatingly by a drive device  5 . Alternatively, the deflection element  4  can have a polygon mirror that is made to move rotationally by a drive device  5 , in this case a motor, and deflects the stimulating light beam  3  across the storage phosphor panel  1 . 
         [0037]    During the movement of the deflected stimulating light beam  3 ′ across the storage phosphor panel  1 , the storage phosphor panel emits emission light depending on the X-ray information stored therein, which emission light is collected by an optical collection device  6 , for example an optical fiber bundle or a suitable mirror device, and detected by an optical detector  7 , preferably a photomultiplier (PMT), and is thereby converted into a corresponding detector signal S. 
         [0038]    The detector signal S is supplied to a device  9 , in which digital image signal values B for individual image pixels of the read out X-ray image are derived. 
         [0039]    The transport of the storage phosphor panel  1  in the transport direction T by a transport device has the effect that individual lines  8  of the storage phosphor panel  1  are successively read out, and a two-dimensional composite X-ray image is thereby obtained that is composed of individual pixels with respectively one associated image signal value B. 
         [0040]    In the example shown, the transport device comprises a roller  10  that is put into rotation about the rotational axis  11  by a roller drive (not shown). The storage phosphor panel  1  is supported with its underside by the roller  10  and is transported in the direction T by the rotation of the roller  10  as a result of the frictional engagement occurring hereby. 
         [0041]    In the displayed example, the roller  10  has magnetic, preferably permanently magnetic or electromagnetic, elements or areas that interact with magnetic or ferromagnetic elements or areas that are provided in the storage phosphor panel  1 , so that the storage phosphor panel  1  is attracted by the roller  10 , which significantly reinforces the frictional engagement and thereby assures a particularly reliable transport of the storage phosphor panel  1 . 
         [0042]    The magnetic elements or areas can be applied to the cylinder-shaped surface of the roller  10 , for example in the form of a coating or a casing of the surface with a magnetic layer or a magnetic band. Preferably, the roller  10  itself is permanently magnetic or ferromagnetic, so that the magnetic layer or the magnetic band, respectively, is already held securely on the roller  10  due to magnetic attraction forces. 
         [0043]    The magnetic elements or areas can, alternatively or in addition, however also be provided in the interior of a roller  10  that is designed as a hollow body, for example by disposing them on a carrier that is located in the interior of the roller  10 . The hollow body of the roller  10  does not have to be magnetic or ferromagnetic in this case, but can also be paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Preferably, this is, in this case, a hollow body made of aluminum. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of respectively an apparatus  12  and a system for reading out storage phosphor panels. The apparatus  12  comprises a housing  13  in which the read-out device shown in  FIG. 1  is arranged which is indicated in the selected representation by the roller  10  and the deflected stimulating light beam  3 ′. 
         [0045]    A front area of the housing  13  of the apparatus  12  comprises an input device  20  into which an operator can insert a cassette  40  containing a storage phosphor panel  1 . In the example shown here, the insertion is carried out substantially in a horizontal direction, the cassette  40  being oriented substantially horizontal while being inserted. In principle, however, it is also possible to arrange the input device  20  on another side of the housing  13 , for example on its top side or in a transition area between the top side and the front side, whereby in this case the cassette  40  can be inserted into the input device  20  respectively in a vertical direction or in a direction at an angle to the vertical direction. 
         [0046]    On the interior of the housing  13  of the apparatus  12 , a removal device  14  is provided close to the input device  20 . In the representation as chosen here, the removal device  14  is only represented in a strongly simplified way and is intended for removing the storage phosphor panel  1  being located in the inserted cassette  40  from the cassette  40  and for transporting it in the transport direction T to the roller  10  of the read-out device. A further role of the removal device  14  consists in transporting the storage phosphor panel  1 , after being read out in the read-out device, back into the cassette  40  in the return transport direction which is opposite to the transport direction T. 
         [0047]    The transport and the return transport, respectively, of the storage phosphor panel  1  in the housing  13  occur substantially along a transport path  15  that protrudes beyond the rear area of the housing  13 . For that reason, the rear area of the housing  13  is provided—in the area of the transport path  15 —with a corresponding opening through which the storage phosphor panel  1  can be transported at least partially out of the housing  13 . 
         [0048]    In order to protect the part of the storage phosphor panel  1  which protrudes from the housing  13  of the apparatus  12  from the effect of ambient light and in particular to prevent ambient light from penetrating through the opening provided in this area of the housing  13  into the interior of the apparatus  12 , a light cover  16  is provided that forms a light-tight sealing of the rear end of the transport path  15 . In particular, the light cover  16  prevents ambient light from penetrating into the interior of the housing  13  while the storage phosphor panel  1  is transported and/or read out along the transport path  15 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of respectively the apparatus  12  and system shown in  FIG. 2  with a removed input device  20  and light cover  16 . 
         [0050]    It may be necessary to remove the input device  20  from the housing  13  of the apparatus  12  when, for example, as a result of a failure, the storage phosphor panel  1  contained in the cassette  40  cannot or only partially be removed from the cassette  40  by the removal device  14  or when the removed storage phosphor panel  1  cannot be transferred to the roller  10 . Such a failure is recognized by the control and monitoring electronics of the apparatus  12  and indicated by outputting a corresponding alarm signal, for example in the form of a light signal and/or an audio signal. The operator is thereby informed that a failure, in particular a so-called panel jam, occurs in the front area of the apparatus  12  which can be cleared by removing the removal device  20 . By actuating an unlocking mechanism provided at the housing  13  and/or at the input device  20 , the input device  20  can be released from the housing  13  of the apparatus  12  and then be removed by the operator. The panel jam can then be cleared, for example, by inserting a storage phosphor panel  1  which has been removed only partially from the cassette  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , fully back into the cassette  40 . After clearing the panel jam, the input device  20  is reconnected to the housing  13  of the apparatus, in particular plugged into it and locked. 
         [0051]    In a further possible failure, the storage phosphor panel  1  is in the area of the rear end of the transport path  15  that is opposite to the input device  20  and cannot be transported any more away from this position by available transport devices, in particular by the roller  10 . This failure too is preferably indicated by a display device provided at the housing  13  of the apparatus  12  or by a corresponding audio signal, whereupon the operator removes the light cover  16  in the area of the rear end of the transport path  15  from the housing  13 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the light cover  16  can be coupled to the housing  13  by positive locking and/or frictional engagement. In order to achieve this, preference is given to coupling elements that can be actuated in a simple and quick way, such as, for example, cotter pins, plugs or snap-action mechanisms. 
         [0052]    The apparatus  12  is hereby controlled in such a way that the roller  10  and/or the removal element  14  will no longer be able to transport the storage phosphor panel  1  as long as the light cover  16  is removed. In particular, the storage phosphor panel  1  is not read out anymore as soon as the light cover  16  has been removed from the housing  13 . 
         [0053]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input device  20  is formed in such a way that the cassette  40  inserted into the input device  20  by an operator is locked, in particular clamped, and/or opened in the input device  20 , whereby mechanical elements are provided for respectively locking and opening the cassette  40 , the mechanical elements being driven and/or actuated purely mechanically, i.e. by the cassette  40  being loaded into the input device  20 , without additional electrical or electromechanical driving or actuating elements, such as, for example, electrical motors, being required. This is illustrated hereinafter in greater detail in  FIGS. 4 to 9 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of an input device  20  and a cassette  40 . A face side of the cassette  40  comprises an opening that can be closed by a pivotable flap  41 . In the closed condition shown, the flap  41  is locked by a locking slide (not shown) provided in the cassette  40  so that it cannot open by itself. 
         [0055]    Preferably, the locking slide has the form as described in European patent EP 1 531 359 B1 and comprises an elongate rail with one or more locking openings that, with flap  41  being closed, can be brought into engagement with corresponding raised portions provided on the inside of the flap  41 , thus allowing to lock the flap  41 . 
         [0056]    The respective position of the locking slide relative to the raised portions on the inside of the flap  41  and the associated engaging or non-engaging action in these raised portions are controlled by an externally actuable actuating element  43  which is coupled to the locking slide. Preferably, the locking slide and the raised portions on the inside of the flap  41  are disengaged and hence the flap  41  unlocked by pressing the actuating element  43  from the outside. As soon as the actuating element  43  is again released, it automatically returns to its original position, causing the locking slide to enter again in engagement with the raised portions provided at the flap  41 . 
         [0057]    At each of preferably two narrow sides of the cassette  40 , a notch  42  is provided near the opening of the cassette  40  that allows locking the cassette  40  in a defined position in the input device  20 . 
         [0058]    The input device  20 , which will now be described in greater detail with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , comprises a carriage  21  that is movably mounted on a support  35 . At the bottom side of the base plate  30  of the carriage  21 , a pin  31  is arranged that is run through a notch provided in the base plate of the support  35  and that is coupled to a pin  32  arranged at the bottom side of the base plate of the support  35  by a tension spring  33 . In case the carriage  21  is shifted in the shifting direction V, the tension spring  33  is loaded, thus generating restoring forces the orientation of which is opposite to the shifting direction V. 
         [0059]    In addition, locking bolts  34  are provided that are run through a perforation in the base plate of the support  35  and that can engage in recesses  29  provided on the base plate  30  of the carriage  21 . The locking bolts  34  are mounted at the bottom side of the base plate of the support  35  using a lever  36 , whereby a pressure spring  37  arranged on the side of the lever  36  that is opposite to the locking bolts  34  ensures that the locking bolts  34 , with the lever  36  not being actuated, are moved in the direction of the carriage  21 , in particular into the recess  29 . 
         [0060]    Preferably, each of the recesses  29  is formed in such a way that the carriage  21  cannot be shifted in a direction opposite to the shifting direction V while the locking bolt  34  engages in the recess  29 . This is preferably achieved by a substantially vertically running flank in the area of the left side of the recess  29 . Alternatively or additionally, the right side of the recess  29  is formed so that, when the carriage  21  is shifted in the shifting direction V, the locking bolt  34  is pressed downward, thus releasing the carriage  21  for being shifted in the shifting direction V. This is preferably achieved by beveling the flank in the area of the right side of the recess  29 , the beveling being inclined in the shifting direction relative to the vertical, preferably by an angle of between 20° and 70°, in particular between 35° and 55°. 
         [0061]    The front side areas of the carriage  21  are provided with a first lever  22  and a second lever  23  whose relative position to the respective side area of the carriage  21  is changeable. Preferably, both levers  22  and  23  are pivotably mounted to the carriage  21  with their end that is leading with respect to the shifting direction V. In principle, however, it is also possible to mount the levers  22  and  23  at the side areas of the carriage  21  in such a way that they can be moved towards and away from the carriage by a linear movement. 
         [0062]    In the example shown, an elongated raised portion  24  and  25  is provided at respectively the first and second lever  22  and  23 , the raised portions being formed and arranged at respectively the first and second lever  22  and  23  in such a way that they can engage in the notches  42  provided at both narrow sides of the cassette  40  when the cassette  40  is inserted up to the stop located in the carriage  21 . 
         [0063]    The first lever  22  is further provided with an unlocking bolt  26  whose form and dimensions and whose arrangement at the first lever  22  is chosen such that, with the cassette  40  in inserted condition, it can actuate, in particular press, the actuating element  43  provided at the narrow side of the cassette  40 . 
         [0064]    Hook-shaped opening elements  27  are furthermore pivotably mounted on the carriage  21  by hinges  28 . The opening elements  27  are formed in such a way that they can engage, with a front end which is formed as a gripper, in the front area of the carriage  21 . A substantially vertically running protrusion  27 ′ is formed at the respective rear end of the opening elements  27 . 
         [0065]    Approximately at the height of the vertically running protrusion  27 ′, a rail-like stop  38  is provided which is part of the support  35  and which is preferably connected to the base plate of the support  35 . Corresponding connecting elements, for example vertically running braces between the stop  38  and the support  35 , have been omitted in the selected representation for the sake of clarity. 
         [0066]    At the support  35 , in particular at the base plate of the support  35 , a first wedge  39   a  and a second wedge  39   b  are arranged and formed so that they can actuate respectively the first and second lever  22  and  23  while the carriage  21  is being shifted from the position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in the shifting direction V. 
         [0067]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the input device  20 , with the cassette  40  in inserted condition, in a first phase of the insertion. An operator has inserted the cassette  40  in the carriage  21  of the input device  20  until the cassette  40  abuts on a stop (not shown) provided in the area of the front end of the carriage  21 . 
         [0068]    In this position, the notch  42  and the actuating element  43  in the side area of the cassette  40  are positioned at approximately the height of the elongate raised portions  24  and  25  provided at respectively the first lever  22  and second lever  23  (see  FIG. 5 ) and of the unlocking bolt  26 . Furthermore, the gripper-like ends of the opening elements  27  engage in recesses provided at the flap  41  of the cassette  40 . Moreover, the above statements in connection with the  FIGS. 4 and 5  apply correspondingly. 
         [0069]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of the input device  20 , with the cassette  40  in inserted condition, in a second phase of the insertion in which the operator has inserted the cassette  40 , together with the carriage  21 , so far in the shifting direction V that the locking bolt  34  and the recess  29  provided in the base plate  30  of the carriage  21  have been disengaged by vertically pressing downward the locking bolt  34  from the beveled flank of the recess  29 . The relative movement between the carriage  21  and the support  35  that is triggered by the shifting causes the tension spring  33  to be loaded. 
         [0070]      FIG. 8  shows a top view on the input device  20  in the second insertion phase shown in  FIG. 7  in which, however, the inserted cassette has been omitted for the sake of clarity. As can be seen from  FIG. 8 , the locking bolts  34  are not engaged in the recesses  29  in the carriage  21 . The shifting of the carriage  21  in the shifting direction V causes the first lever  22  and second lever  23 , that are movably, in particular pivotably, mounted at the carriage  21 , to be moved in the direction towards the cassette  40  (not shown) inserted in the carriage  21  so that the elongate raised portions  24  and  25  engage in the corresponding notches  42  in the side areas of the cassette  40  and thereby lock or fix the cassette  40  in its position relative to the carriage  21 . 
         [0071]    Furthermore, the unlocking bolt  26  provided at the first lever  22  presses on the actuating element  43  located in the side area of the cassette  40 , whereby the actuating element  43  causes the locking slide located in the cassette  40  to release the flap  41  which had been locked by the locking slide, as already illustrated in greater detail in connection with  FIG. 4 . 
         [0072]    In the preferred embodiment shown here, the movement of the first and second lever  22  and  23  in the direction of the cassette  40  that is triggered by shifting the cassette  40  together with the carriage  21  is realized by guiding respectively the first and second lever  22  and  23  along a respective wedge surface of respectively the first and second wedge  39   a  and  39   b  until they are finally maintained in the position shown in  FIG. 8  by the surfaces that run parallel to the shifting direction V at the front end of the wedges  39   a  and  39   b . Preferably, the levers  22  and  23  are coupled to return springs (not shown) that trigger an automatic return of the levers  22  and  23  when the carriage  21  has returned to an original position shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of the input device  2  in a third insertion phase in which the operator has shifted the cassette  40 , together with the carriage  21 , further in the shifting direction V, whereby the interaction between the vertical protrusions  27 ′ and the rail-like stop  38  provided at the support  35  causes the opening elements  27  to be tilted around their hinges  28  and thereby engage in corresponding openings in the flap  41 , causing the flap  41  to be opened. The storage phosphor panel  1  contained in the cassette  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) can then be removed from the cassette  40  by a corresponding removal element  14  and be transported back into the cassette  40  after being read out. 
         [0074]    In the third phase shown in  FIG. 9 , the locking bolt  34  abuts on the rear end of the base plate  30  of the carriage  21  so that the carriage  21 , despite the tension spring  33  being loaded even stronger, cannot automatically move back against the forward feed direction V, but is locked in the position shown in  FIG. 9 . The restoring force generated by the tension spring  37  hereby causes the locking bolt  34  to move automatically from the unlocking position shown in  FIG. 7  into the locking position shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0075]    By locking the carriage  21  in the position shown in  FIG. 9 , the relative position of the wedges  39   a  and  39   b  with respect to the levers  22  and  23  and of the rail-like stop  38  with respect to the vertical protrusions  27 ′ of the opening elements  27  is locked at the same time so that the cassette  40  in the phase shown in  FIG. 9  stays fixed in the carriage  21  with the flap  41  opened. 
         [0076]    After removing, reading out and returning the storage phosphor panel  1  back into the cassette  40 , the operator can pull the lever  36  vertically upward so that the other end of the lever  36  moves the locking bolt  34  out of its locking position shown in  FIG. 9 . The restoring forces generated by the loaded tension spring  33  then automatically move the carriage  21  in a direction opposite to the shifting direction V, whereby the opening elements  27  that are preferably additionally pretensioned by spring elements (not shown) are first moved back from the position shown in  FIG. 9  to the position shown in  FIG. 7  and thereby close the flap  41  of the cassette  40 . 
         [0077]    As the return movement in the direction opposite to the shifting direction V continues, finally the phase shown in  FIG. 6  is reached in which the levers  22  and  23  have again been moved away from the cassette  40  so that the unlocking bolt  26  is decoupled from the actuating element  43 , thus relocking the closed flap  41  by the locking slide located in the cassette  40 . Furthermore, the elongate raised portions  24  and  25  at respectively the levers  22  and  23  are again disengaged from the grooves  42  at the cassette  40  (see also  FIG. 5 ) so that the operator can remove the cassette  40  out of the carriage  21  of the input device  20 . 
         [0078]    As demonstrated hereinbefore with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 9 , the fixation or locking of the cassette  40 , the unlocking of the flap  41  and its opening in the described input device  20  are exclusively carried out by mechanical devices by using part of the mechanical energy which an operator exerts when inserting the cassette  40  in the input device  20  for directly or indirectly driving mechanical actuating elements in the form of the levers  22  and  23 , including the raised portions  24  and  25 , and the unlocking bolt  26  and the opening element  27 . A further part of the energy applied by the operator is used for loading the tension spring  33  that allows the finished sequence of inserting the cassette  40  to be carried out automatically in the reverse order after the operator has actuated only the lever  36 . This means that virtually no additional force or energy has to be applied by the operator when removing the cassette  40  inserted in the input device  20  from the input device  20 . 
         [0079]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6