X-Ray Backscatter Detection Imaging Modules

• US 20070269005A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Science and Engineering Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American Science and Engineering Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Peter, Chalmers, Alex, Baukus, William, Perich, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,505,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/20 by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structure; by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materials; by using reflection of the radiation by the materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/222 measuring scattered radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/232 having relative motion between the source, detector and object other than by conveyor G01V5/226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/26 Passive interrogation, i.e. by measuring radiation emitted by objects or goods

Abstract

An inspection system based upon an imaging enclosure characterized by an enclosing body, or skin. A source of penetrating radiation and a spatial modulator for forming the penetrating radiation into a beam, are both concealed entirely within the body of an enclosure such as a shipping container for convenient operational deployment. Multiple modules, such as for providing power and for enclosing an operator console may be coupled to the imaging enclosure. An image is formed of the contents of the object based in part on the scatter signal and the relative motion signal. A detector, which may be separate or part of the scatter detector module, may exhibit sensitivity to decay products of radioactive material.

Claims

1. A method for employing penetrating radiation to inspect an object, the method comprising:

a. generating a beam of penetrating radiation originating entirely within the body of a static enclosure;

b. scanning the penetrating radiation across the object;

c. detecting penetrating radiation scattered by the object into the body of the enclosure by means of a detector module concealed within the enclosure and generating a scatter signal;

d. ascertaining a specified characteristic of the object based in part on the scatter signal.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the object is disposed upon a body of a person.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

forming an image of the object based at least in part on the scatter signal.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

generating a signal based on detection of any penetrating radiation naturally emitted by the object.

5. An inspection system for simultaneous active and passive inspection of an object by means of penetrating radiation, the system comprising:

a. A static imaging enclosure characterized by an enclosing body;

b. a source of penetrating radiation contained entirely within the body of the imaging enclosure for generating a beam of penetrating radiation; and

c. a detector module, contained entirely within the body of the imaging enclosure, for generating a signal based both upon penetrating radiation scattered by contents of the object and any penetrating radiation naturally emitted by the contents.

6. An inspection system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the static imaging enclosure is a shipping container.

7. An inspection system in accordance with claim 5, further comprising an operator console for operation by an operator remotely disposed within a separate module coupled to the static imaging enclosure.