Systems and methods for eliminating cross-talk signals in one or more scanning systems having multiple X-ray sources
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-11796489-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present specification describes a system for eliminating X-ray crosstalk between a plurality of X-ray scanning systems and passive radiation detectors. The system includes a frequency generator for generating a common operational frequency, a high-energy X-ray source or scanning system coupled with the frequency generator for receiving the common operational frequency and configured to modify the pulse repetition frequency of the high-energy X-ray source or scanning system in order to synchronize with the common operational frequency and a low-energy X-ray scanning system and/or passive radiation detection system coupled with the frequency generator for receiving the common operational frequency and having a processing module configured to remove data associated with the common operational frequency at an instance of time if the high-energy X-ray source or scanning system has emitted X-rays at the instance of time.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to eliminating X-ray crosstalk between a plurality of X-ray scanning systems that include at least one high-energy X-ray source and at least one low-energy X-ray scanning system. A frequency generator generates a common operational frequency that is provided to the high-energy X-ray source and the low-energy X-ray scanning system, establishing a shared timing reference across co-located or adjacent systems.
The high-energy X-ray source receives the common operational frequency and generates a pulse repetition frequency that is synchronous with the common operational frequency. Synchronizing the high-energy pulse repetition timing to the common operational frequency addresses interference that occurs when co-located high-energy systems are not synchronized, and the system can predict the timing of emissions from the high-energy X-ray source using the common operational frequency.
The low-energy X-ray scanning system uses the common operational frequency to remove data associated with the common operational frequency at a first instance of time if the high-energy X-ray source has emitted X-rays at that first instance of time. In method form, the common operational frequency is used to remove crosstalk data associated with the high-energy X-ray source from scan data captured by the low-energy X-ray system, including removal of artifacts associated with co-occurring emissions at predefined emission times.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims identify three core inventive features centered on a common operational frequency, synchronization of a high-energy pulse repetition frequency, and time-based removal of low-energy scan data associated with that frequency. There are two independent claims, corresponding to a system claim and a method claim.
Common operational frequency distribution for crosstalk elimination
A frequency generator generates a common operational frequency that is coupled to a plurality of X-ray scanning systems including at least one high-energy X-ray source and at least one low-energy X-ray scanning system for receiving the common operational frequency.
Synchronous pulse repetition frequency generation based on common operational frequency
The at least one high-energy X-ray source receives the common operational frequency and generates a pulse repetition frequency of the at least one high-energy X-ray source in order to be synchronous with the common operational frequency.
Time-based removal of low-energy data associated with common operational frequency
The at least one low-energy X-ray scanning system receives the common operational frequency and removes data associated with the common operational frequency at a first instance of time if the at least one high-energy X-ray source has emitted X-rays at the first instance of time.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is generating a common operational frequency, using it to synchronize the high-energy source pulse repetition frequency, and using the same common operational frequency to remove crosstalk-associated low-energy scan data at corresponding emission times.
Stated Advantages
Eliminating X-ray crosstalk between co-located or adjacent high-energy and low-energy X-ray scanning systems.
Removing crosstalk data associated with the high-energy X-ray source from low-energy scan data.
Reducing interference patterns associated with asynchronous versus synchronized high-energy firing timing.
Documented Applications
Radiation portal monitor (RPM) and low-energy backscatter scanning systems used in conjunction with a co-located high-energy X-ray source, where crosstalk data removal is applied to reduce backscatter artifacts in captured images.
Deployment scenarios with fixed or portable scanning systems, including proximal systems with a predefined distance of 1000 meters or less.
Systems including integer and non-integer PRF synthesis and PRF modulation for varying object speed through a portal system or for source speed along rails of a gantry system.
Interested in licensing this patent?