With cassette-based digital radiography, what device is used to extract the latent image from the image receptor?

In cassette-based digital radiography, the extraction of the latent image from the image receptor is done using a plate reader. This device is essential because it allows for the conversion of the latent image, which is stored on the imaging plate, into a digital format that can be viewed on a computer.

The process involves the plate reader retrieving the image from the imaging plate, where it has been stored after exposure. This device scans the plate and uses laser technology to stimulate the phosphors within the plate, thereby releasing the stored energy in the form of light. The light is then converted into an electrical signal that is processed into a digital image. This step is critical as it ensures that the image captured during the radiographic procedure can be analyzed, shared, and stored digitally.

In contrast, the other options serve different functions. An image intensifier is typically used in fluoroscopy to enhance the brightness of the image on the screen. A digital storage device relates to where the image files are sent for storage and manipulation after they have been created but does not directly interact with the image receptor itself. An image processor is responsible for manipulating the digital image to enhance quality or adjust contrast but does not extract the latent image from the receptor. Thus, the plate reader is the