Patent ID: 7026638

Claim:
A scanning apparatus for scanning radiographic media comprising: a) a housing; b) a scanning stage mounted within the housing; c) a scanning head mounted on the scanning stage, wherein the scanning stage is adapted for translational movement along an axis; d) an opening in the housing for receiving a cassette; i) radiographic media having a latent image disposed in the cassette, wherein the radiographic media has a ferromagnetic end, and wherein the cassette consists of a closed box shape having an upper door and a lower door; ii) a first magnet secured to the upper door; iii) a second magnet secured to the lower door, wherein the polarity of the first magnet is in the same orientation as the polarity of the second magnet; iv) a magnetic latch mounted within the scanning apparatus to hold the radiographic media at the ferromagnetic end, wherein the magnetic latch is mounted so that the polarity of the magnetic latch repels the polarity of the first and second magnets; e) an analog to digital converter in communication with the scanning head; f) a control processing unit in communication with the analog to digital converter; and g) an output device in communication with the control processing unit.