Storage phosphor cassette with improved durability

Abstract

A storage phosphor cassette comprising a shell including upper and lower rectangular panels, first and second side members, and a front end member, the side members and the front end member joining the upper and lower panels to form a five sided cavity having an open end; wherein the lower panel includes a segment at the open end, the segment formed of folded over stainless steel having latch cars cut into the front edge thereof; a storage phosphor assembly including a back end member, an insert plate having an upper face and being cantilevered from the back end member, and an x-ray storage phosphor disposed on the upper face of the insert plate, wherein the storage phosphor assembly is removably contained in the shell such that the back end member closes off the open end of the shell; wherein the insert plate is rectangular with front, back, and side edges , and is formed of a rigid composite having upper and lower aluminum skins and an aluminum honeycomb core, the core having recesses along the front, back, and side edges; wherein the back end member extends into the back recess, the composite being secured to the back end member; wherein the insert plate includes side inserts which are secured in the side recesses of the composite, which are interlocked at their back ends with the back end member, and which extend slightly beyond the upper and lower skins of the composite to form a bumper system to absorb and distribute forces away from the composite to the back end member, and further includes a front insert secured in the front recess of the composite.