Radiation image recording and read-out apparatus

Claim 1

A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprising: (i) a circulation and conveyance means (40) for conveying at least one stimulable phosphor sheet (4) for recording a radiation image thereon along a predetermined circulation path; (ii) an image recording section (10) provided with a sheet holding means (13) positioned outside said circulation path for recording a radiation image of an object (1) on said stimulable phosphor sheet by exposing said stimulable phosphor sheet to radiation passing through said object, said circulation and conveyance means including reversible sheet feeding means for conveying the phosphor sheet in opposite directions between said circulation path and said image recording section, and a fluoroscopic means (20) for receiving said radiation passing through said sheet holding means when said stimulable phosphor sheet is not held by said sheet holding means and for converting said radiation into a signal for producing a visible image, (iii) an image read-out section (31) positioned on said circulation path and provided with stimulating ray source (13a) for emitting stimulating rays for scanning a stimulable phosphor sheet carrying a radiation image stored thereon at said image recording section, and a photoelectric read-out means for detecting light emitted by said stimulable phosphor sheet scanned with said stimulating rays to obtain an electric image signal; (iv) an erasing section (32) positioned on said circulation path for releasing the radiation energy remaining on said stimulable phosphor sheet, prior to the next image recording on said stimulable phosphor sheet; and switch-back conveying means located between said image read-out section and said erasing section.