Analogic Corporation

David A Schafer

Ram Naidu

Carl R Crawford

Sergey Simanovsky

Zhengrong Ying

Christopher C Ruth

Eric N Finck

Eric M Bailey

Hans J Weedon

Bernard M Gordon

Ruvin Deych

John P O'Connor

Matthew Waggener Hirsch

Douglas Q Abraham

Sorin Marcovici

Basak Ulker Karbeyaz

Aleksander Roshi

Julia Pavlovich

Simon George Harootian

Peter Daniel Shippen

Vladan Ristanovic

Baoming Hong

Serge Savard

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for visually augmenting regions within images are provided herein. An image of an object, such as a bag, is segmented to identify an item (e.g., a metal gun barrel). Features of the item are extracted from voxels representing the item within the image (e.g., voxels within a first region), such as a size, shape, density, and orientation of the item. Response to the features of the item matching predefined features of a target item to detect, one or more additional regions are identified, such as a second region proximate to the first region based upon a location of the second region corresponding to where a connected part of the item (e.g., a plastic handle of the gun) is predicted to be located. The one or more regions are visually distinguished within the image from other regions (e.g., colored, highlighted, etc.).

Visual augmentation of regions within images

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for classifying an item disposed within an object are provided herein. A three-dimensional image of the object (e.g., a bag) is segmented into a set of item representations (e.g., laptop, thermos, etc.). An item is identified from the set of item representations based upon item features of the item, such as the laptop that could be used to conceal an item of interest such as an explosive. A region comprising a three-dimensional image of the item is divided into a set of sub-regions (e.g., a first sub-region encompassing a screen, a second sub-region encompassing a motherboard, etc.). The item is classified as a potential first type of item (e.g., an explosive laptop) when any sub-region has a number of voxels, with computed tomography (CT) values within a range of known CT values for a first type of item, exceeding a threshold.

Item classification using localized CT value distribution analysis

A detector array is provided for detecting radiation photons. The detector array includes a phosphor screen that converts radiation photons into light energy. The detector array includes a photodiode array having a plurality of photodiodes that convert the light energy into electrical charge. A first photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes is spaced apart from a second photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes to define a non-detection region. The phosphor screen overlies the first photodiode, the second photodiode, and the non-detection region between the first photodiode and the second photodiode.

Detector array for imaging modality

A detector array () for a radiation system includes first and second detector cells (). The first detector cell () includes a first scintillator () that converts a radiation photon () impinging the first scintillator () into first light energy (), and a first solar cell () that converts the first light energy () into first electrical energy. The second detector cell () includes a second scintillator () that converts a radiation photon () impinging the second scintillator () into second light energy (). The first scintillator () includes a first detection surface () through which the radiation photon () impinging the first scintillator () enters the first scintillator (). The second scintillator () includes a second detection surface () through which the radiation photon () impinging the second scintillator () enters the second scintillator (). The second detection surface () is substantially parallel to the first detection surface () and the second detection surface () is not coplanar with the first detection surface ().

Radiation detector array with solar cell

A diffraction system configured to generate a diffraction signature based upon an angular disbursement of radiation is provided. In some embodiments, the diffraction system comprises a radiation source comprising a radiographic isotope configured to natural emit radiation due to decay. In some embodiment, the diffraction system is part of an object identification system that comprises one or more other radiation imaging modalities, such as a CT system and/or a line-scan system. By way of example, the one or more other radiation imaging modalities may perform an initial examination of an object to generate data indicative of the object. The data can be analyzed to identify an item of interest within the object, which can subsequently be examined by the diffraction system to generate a diffraction signature of the item. The diffraction signature of the item can be compared to known diffraction signatures of know items to characterize the item.

Generation of diffraction signature of item within object

Among other things, radiation systems and techniques for generating volumetric data and projections images of an object(s) under examination are provided. The radiation system comprises at least two detector arrays and at least one radiation source. During an examination, the radiation source and at least one detector array are rotated about the object while a second detector array is substantially fixed in place. In one embodiment, the radiation source is configured to, at times, illuminate the first detector array and, at times, illuminate the second detector array. For example, the radiation source may illuminate the first detector array during nearly all of the rotation while the second detector array is merely illuminated at a single gantry rotation angle. Information generated by the second detector array may be utilized to yield volumetric data while information generated by the first detector array may be utilized to yield a projection image, for example.

Volumetric and projection image generation

Among other things, an object scanner, such as an x-ray system, is provided, where the object scanner is configured to translate an object undergoing an examination along a non-linear path. For example, in some embodiments, an examination region of the object scanner is spatially offset, relative to an entry port and/or an exit port of the object scanner, such that there is little to no line of sight through the object scanner, from the entry port to the exit port. The non-linearity of the path is configured to reduce the possibility of radiation scatted by an object and/or by portions of the object scanner from escaping the examination region and exiting the object scanner via the entry port and/or the exit port.

Mitigation of radiation leakage via entry port and/or exit port of radiation system

A source of X-rays including at least two cathodes and at least one common anode configured and arranged so as to generate at least two spaced apart beams of X-rays emanating from respectively different locations of the anode, and separately controlled so as to be generated independently of one another. The staggered focal spots can be generated simultaneously or alternately as required. An X-ray imaging system comprising such an X-rays source, and a method utilizing such a source are also disclosed.

Multi-cathode X-ray tubes with staggered focal spots, and systems and methods using same

Potential threat items may be concealed inside objects, such as portable electronic devices, that are subject to imaging for example, at a security checkpoint. Data from an imaged object can be compared to pre-determined object data to determine a class for the imaged object. Further, an object can be identified inside a container (e.g., a laptop inside luggage). One-dimensional Eigen projections can be used to partition the imaged object into partitions, and feature vectors from the partitions and the object image data can be used to generate layout feature vectors. One or more layout feature vectors can be compared to training data for threat versus non-threat-containing items from the imaged object's class to determine if the imaged object contains a potential threat item.

Detecting concealed threats

A position of a center detector of a radiation scanner can be determined without shutting down the scanner and/or manually positioning a phantom in the scanning field of the scanner. A phantom, comprising a target, is scanned to create an axial image of the phantom. The target is masked in the axial image, producing a masked axial image of the phantom. The masked axial image is reprojected in projection space, and the axial reprojection is compared to an axial projection or a rebinned axial projection of the phantom that was used to create the axial image. A target axial projection of data related to the masked target, created from the comparison of the axial projection or the rebinned axial projection and the axial reprojection, is used to determine the position of the center detector.

Method of and apparatus for measuring center detector index on CT scanner with limited field of view access

A method of and a system for variable pitch CT scanning for baggage screening and variable pitch image reconstruction are disclosed. The method comprises decelerating conveyor belt speed when additional time is needed to render a decision on a complex bag; accelerating conveyor belt speed to its normal speed when decisions are reached on undecided bags; generating cone-beam projection data at variable scanning pitch corresponding to variable conveyor belt speed; computing a tilt angle and a distance offset for each tilted slice using the pitch values at which the cone-beam projection data is acquired for that tilted slice; generating fan-beam projection data for each tilted slice using the tilted angle and the distance offset; generating correction projection data to compensate for the error between the source trajectory and the tilted reconstruction plane; generating the corrected fan-beam projection data by adding the correction projection data to the fan-beam projection data; reconstructing tilted slices using the corrected fan-beam projection data; and interpolating the reconstructed tilted slices into axial slices.

Method of and system for variable pitch computed tomography scanning for baggage screening

Arrangements of X-ray inspection systems are described. An X-ray inspection system may include a shielded housing with a tunnel passageway and entrance and exit ports. The system may include an X-ray inspection station defining a rectilinear coordinate system, an X-ray source, and a detection system for generating images of articles that are located in the inspection station. A conveyor assembly may be included. A plurality of flexible X-ray attenuating, spaced-apart, hanging strips may be distributed within the shielded housing between the ports and across the entire tunnel passageway. The X-ray inspection system may include at least one curtain of flexible X-ray attenuating hanging strips. Each curtain may include a plurality of sets of contiguous strips, the strips of each set being of equal length and distributed across the tunnel passageway. The strips of at least one set are shorter than the strips of at least one other set.

X-ray inspection systems with improved radiation attenuation shielding

An apparatus and method for detecting explosive material uses dual energy information of an X-ray scan of the material. The object in question is located within a region which includes extraneous objects. The region is scanned by an X-ray radiation source which alternately emits radiation at two different energy levels, and a detector array collects the radiation after passing through the material. A reconstruction computer generates a CT image from the series of projections corresponding to one of the two energy levels. A spatial analysis computer analyzes the CT image and determines the projection which includes only the object in question (a clear-path projection) or the projection which includes the object in question along with the fewest extraneous objects. A projection computer uses the high energy clear-path projection and the low energy clear-path projection to determine quantitative information relating to two physical characteristics of the object in question, for example atomic number and density. The quantitative information is used to distinguish explosive materials from non-explosive materials.

Explosive material detection apparatus and method using dual energy information of a scan

A method and apparatus for performing CT scans of baggage being carried or loaded onto commercial aircraft are described. The CT baggage scanner of the invention includes numerous features which provide the system with high baggage throughput on the order of seven hundred bags per hour as well as improved image quality and accurate target detection. In one aspect, the scanner includes an adaptive image reconstruction window which identifies data collected from the field of view that are not related to the baggage being scanned. These unrelated data are excluded from the image reconstruction process, resulting in greatly reduced reconstruction time and increased baggage throughput. The invention also includes the capability of performing calibration &ldquo;air scans&rdquo; with objects such as the system conveyor in the field of view. Data gathered during the calibration scan are applied to a threshold, and data exceeding the threshold are assumed to be from X-rays that are unobstructed by objects in the field of view and are therefore used to perform the air calibration. The baggage scanner can also analyze scan data to identify shapes of objects, particularly, objects formed in the shape of a sheet. This greatly improves the ability of the system to detect sheet explosives. The system also compensates for detector dark currents and provides dark current offsets which can be dependent upon detector temperature.

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Natick, MA, United States of America

David A Schafer