Hand-held portable backscatter inspection system
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11300703-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present specification describes a compact, hand-held probe or device that uses the principle of X-ray backscatter to provide immediate feedback to an operator about the presence of scattering and absorbing materials, items or objects behind concealing barriers irradiated by ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. Feedback is provided in the form of a changing audible tone whereby the pitch or frequency of the tone varies depending on the type of scattering material, item or object. Additionally or alternatively, the operator obtains a visual scan image on a screen by scanning the beam around a suspect area or anomaly.
Core Innovation
The invention is a hand-held imaging device configured to scan an object by projecting a shaped X-ray beam defined by a pencil beam. The device includes a housing with a central longitudinal axis, an X-ray source positioned within the housing to generate X-rays in response to an operator input, and a collimator assembly configured to receive and shape the X-rays into the shaped X-ray beam. A plurality of detectors generate scan data corresponding to a plurality of X-ray beams scattered from the object, and a display is positioned on one side of the housing.
One or more sensors generate a first set of data representative of position or movement of the hand-held imaging device relative to the object, where the position or movement is a function of an operator manipulating the device. The processing system receives the first set of data and the scan data, generates one or more data points corresponding to interactions of the shaped X-ray beam with the object based on the scan data, corrects the one or more data points using the first set of data, and generates an image based on the corrected one or more data points for presentation on the display.
The collimator assembly can include a first collimator adapted to shape the X-rays into an X-ray fan beam and a second collimator adapted to shape the X-ray fan beam into the shaped X-ray beam. In specified refinements, the first set of data includes at least one of dwell time or a time derived from the device’s movement speed relative to the object, and the first collimator can be a rotating collimator.
Claims Coverage
The excerpt contains two independent claims covering a hand-held imaging device that projects a shaped pencil-defined X-ray beam and uses operator-manipulated motion or position data to correct scan-derived interactions and generate a displayed image; one claim further specifies two-stage collimation using a fan beam stage.
Hand-held scanning with shaped pencil X-ray beam projection
A hand-held imaging device configured to scan an object by projecting a shaped X-ray beam defined by a pencil beam, including an X-ray source within a housing and a collimator assembly that receives and shapes the X-rays into the shaped X-ray beam directed toward the object.
Operator-manipulated motion and position sensing with correction of interaction data
At least one sensor generates a first set of data representative of position or movement of the hand-held imaging device relative to the object as a function of an operator manipulating the device, and a processing system receives the first set of data and scan data, generates data points corresponding to interactions of the shaped X-ray beam with the object, corrects the data points using the first set of data, and generates an image for presentation on the display.
Multiple detectors and side display presentation
A plurality of detectors generate scan data corresponding to a plurality of X-ray beams scattered from the object, with a display positioned on one side of the housing for presenting the generated image based on the corrected data points.
Two-stage collimation from X-ray fan beam to shaped X-ray beam
A collimator assembly comprising a first collimator adapted to shape the X-rays into an X-ray fan beam and a second collimator adapted to shape the X-ray fan beam into the shaped X-ray beam, wherein the collimator assembly directs the shaped X-ray beam toward the object.
Dwell time and rotating collimator refinements
The first set of data includes at least one of dwell time at a location or a time derived from the device’s movement speed relative to the object, and the first collimator can be a rotating collimator.
The claims center on a hand-held imaging device that projects a shaped pencil-defined X-ray beam, detects scattered X-ray beams with a plurality of detectors, uses operator-manipulated motion or position data to correct interaction-derived data points, and generates an image presented on a side display, with one independent claim specifying fan-beam-to-shaped-beam two-stage collimation and related refinements.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?