Compton scattered x-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing of at least some dissimilar matter

• US 20080253525A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Smith, Michael A., Weaver, Thomas A., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Robert W., Boyden, Edward S., Jung, Edward K.Y., Whitmer, Charles, Rivet, Dennis J., Hyde, Roderick A., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Leuthardt, Eric C., Wood, Lowell L., Foster, Glenn B.
• Application Number:
  US12/011,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20080253525A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/87
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/222 measuring scattered radiation

Abstract

One aspect relates to Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual through an at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or information providing depth based at least partially on a density differentiation between the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information is at least partially dependent on an at least one applied characteristic of an at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual, and thereupon the at least one applied X-ray undergoes Compton Scattering within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual in a manner that density differentiates the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual with respect to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual through an at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or information providing depth based at least partially on a density differentiation between the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information is at least partially dependent on an at least one applied characteristic of an at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual, and thereupon the at least one applied X-ray undergoes Compton Scattering within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual in a manner that density differentiates the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual with respect to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising avoiding at least partially disturbing at least a portion of the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or information providing depth.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

informing an operator of the location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

altering a location or angle at which the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information is being applied based at least partially on the detecting the location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on a movement of at least a portion of a tool or device that is at least partially operationally associated with the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

selecting a route or potential movement through the at least the portion of the individual that is undergoing the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual in a manner that at least partially avoids the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein output from the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information is observed by a human user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein an output from the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information is at least partially utilized by a machine-based user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is performed at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with an individual-based physiological process.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is performed at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with a user-observable physiological process.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is based at least in part on time of flight computations.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth relies at least partially on energy level change of X-ray photons during a scattering event within at least some of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth based at least partially on a density differentiation between the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information of an at least some aberrative matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth based at least partially on a density differentiation between the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information of an at least some vital structures of the at least the portion of the individual.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth relies at least partially on an at least one energy level of X-ray photons of an at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth relies at least partially on an image combination or subtraction resulting from the at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth relies at least partially on an image a directional change of the at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is applied through at least some skin-based matter and/or at least some fat-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is configured to detect at least some bodily-fluid-based aberative matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is configured to detect at least some muscle-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth is configured to detect at least some brain-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

a Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual through an at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or information providing depth based at least partially on a density differentiation between the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual, wherein the Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information is at least partially dependent on an at least one applied characteristic of an at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual and the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual, and thereupon the at least one applied X-ray undergoes Compton Scattering within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual in a manner that density differentiates the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual with respect to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to avoid at least partially disturbing at least a portion of the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on the Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or information providing depth.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to inform an operator of the location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to alter a location or angle at which the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider acts to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information based at least partially on the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect the location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on a movement of at least a portion of a tool or device that is at least partially operationally associated with the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to detect a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual; and

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to select a route or potential movement through the at least the portion of the individual that is undergoing the Compton Scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or providing information of at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially based on a location of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein output from the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is observed by a human user.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein an output from the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is at least partially utilized by a machine-based user.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with an individual-based physiological process.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with a user-observable physiological process.

34. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth based at least in part on time of flight computations.

35. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth based at least partially on energy level change of X-ray photons during a scattering event within at least some of the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

36. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth comprises:

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information of an at least some aberrative [neoplastic] matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

37. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth comprises:

the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information of an at least some vital structures of the at least the portion of the individual.

38. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that relies at least partially on an at least one energy level of X-ray photons of an at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

39. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that relies at least partially on an image combination or subtraction resulting from the at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

40. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that relies at least partially on an image a directional change of the at least one applied X-ray being applied to the at least some dissimilar matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

41. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that is applied through at least some skin-based matter and/or at least some fat-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

42. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that is configured to detect at least some bodily-fluid-based aberative matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

43. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that is configured to detect at least some muscle-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

44. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the Compton scattered X-ray visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to Compton Scattered X-ray visualize, image, or provide information at least partially through the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual through the at least one prescribed visualizing, imaging, or providing depth in a manner that is configured to detect at least some brain-based matter of the at least the portion of the individual.