Hand-held portable backscatter inspection system
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12259518-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
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 relates to a method of scanning an object by projecting a shaped X-ray beam from a hand-held imaging device. The device encloses an X-ray source generating the shaped X-ray beam and includes a plurality of detectors that generate scan data representing an image comprising pixels based on detected X-ray beams scattered from the object. A processor determines values for the pixels from the detected scattered X-rays and generates an image on a display using the pixel values and position-related data.
A key aspect is generating data indicative of a three-dimensional position of the source of the shaped X-ray beam in three dimensional space, including the three-dimensional position of the source being projected on the object. The processor receives the sensor data, uses it in combination with the scan data to associate detected scattered X-rays with corresponding pixel positions, and then generates the image on the display.
The invention further supports generating scan results through a shaped beam approach, including cone beam geometry enabling near-real-time 2D imaging by parallel collection compared to pencil beam geometry. The scanning workflow can include coarse scanning and fine scanning for anomaly localization, and an audible feedback indication using a speaker with tone pitch or frequency varying with detected scatter signal and/or scan data.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive core comprises projecting a shaped X-ray beam from a hand-held device, using multiple detectors to generate scan data for pixel-based image generation from scattered X-rays, and using sensor data indicative of the 3D position of the source of the shaped X-ray beam to determine pixel values and generate the image on a display, with an audio output available in the device claim set.
Three-dimensional source-position-based pixel imaging with shaped X-ray scanning
receiving sensor data indicative of the three-dimensional position of the source of the shaped X-ray beam being projected on the object; determining values for pixels based on the plurality of detected X-rays scattered from the object; and generating an image on the display using the values for each pixel and the data corresponding to the position of the source of the shaped X-ray beam
Hand-held shaped X-ray imaging device with sensor-position pixel image generation
a hand-held imaging device comprising a housing with an X-ray source configured to project a shaped X-ray beam; a plurality of detectors generating scan data representative of an image comprising pixels based on detected X-ray beams scattered from the object; at least one sensor generating second data indicative of a position of the source of the shaped X-ray beam being projected on the object; speakers; and a processor configured to determine values for the pixels based on the scan data and generate an image of the object based on the values for the pixels and the second data
Overall, the claim set covers both a method and a hand-held imaging device in which shaped X-ray backscatter is captured by multiple detectors to form pixel-based scan data, while sensor-generated 3D source position data is used to determine pixel values and generate an image on a display. The device claim further includes speakers as part of the acquisition system.
Stated Advantages
Immediate audible feedback for anomaly detection using speaker output with tone pitch or frequency varying with detected scatter signal and/or scan data.
Supports near-real-time 2D imaging enabled by cone-beam geometry via parallel collection.
Supports coarse-to-fine scanning for anomaly localization.
Documented Applications
Inspection and localization of anomalies using hand-held X-ray backscatter scanning that generates an image for display and provides audible feedback.
Generating an image of an object using scan data from scattered X-rays while using sensor-indicated 3D source position to map detected X-rays into pixels.
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