Radiation scanning of objects for contraband

• US 8,472,583 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
• Original Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Star-Lack, Josh, Green, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiknadze, Irakli
• Application Number:
  US12/924,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20120076257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/19, 378/57, 378/196, 378/197
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/226 using tomography

Abstract

In one example, a scanning system for examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region, a robotic arm movably supported by the frame, and a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine an object, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm. A detector is positioned and configured to encompass, at least in part, a second interior region within the first interior region, to detect radiation after interaction with the object. A conveying system moves the object, at least in part, through the second interior region. The frame and the robotic arm are configured to move the radiation source at least partially around the object to be examined and the robotic arm is configured to pivot the radiation source to aim the source toward the object.

Claims

1. A scanning system for examining contents of an object, the scanning system comprising:

a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region;

at least one detector positioned and configured within the first interior region to encompass, at least in part, a second interior region within the first interior region, wherein an object to be examined is positionable within the second interior region;

a robotic arm movably supported by the frame;

a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine at least a portion of an object positioned within the second interior region, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm and movable by the robotic arm to examine the object from a plurality of positions at least partially around the object;

and

a conveying system to move the object, at least in part, through the second interior region;

wherein;

radiation is detected by at least one of the at least one detectors after interaction with the object, from at least some of the plurality of positions; and

the robotic arm is configured to pivot the radiation source to aim the radiation source toward the object from at least some of the plurality of positions.

2. The scanning unit of claim 1, wherein the robotic arm is configured to move the radiation source only partially around an object to be examined.

3. The scanning system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a cargo container.

4. The scanning system of claim 1, wherein:

the frame and the robotic arm are configured to move the radiation source in a region between the frame and the detector array.

5. The scanning system of claim 4, wherein:

the at least one detector comprises a detector array comprising a plurality of modules;

the system further comprising;

a second frame supporting the detector array;

wherein;

at least one detector module is movably supported by the second frame for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the second frame.

6. The scanning system of claim 5, wherein:

in the first position, a respective one of the at least one detector modules is between the radiation source and the object; and

in the second position, the respective detector module is not between the radiation source and the object, such that at least a portion of the detector module is outside of the path of the radiation beam emitted by the radiation source, during scanning.

7. The scanning system of claim 5, wherein:

in the first position, a respective one of the detector modules is not in a position to detect radiation transmitted through the object; and

in the second position, the respective detector module is in position to detect radiation transmitted through the object.

8. The scanning system of claim 1, wherein:

the radiation source is movable within the second interior region, around the object.

9. The scanning system of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is a source of X-ray radiation.

10. The scanning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to;

control operation of the robotic arm; and

reconstruct computed tomography images based, at least in part, on data received from the detector.

11. The scanning unit of claim 1, wherein the robotic arm is configured to pivot the radiation source about a horizontal axis.

12. The scanning unit of claim 11, wherein the robotic arm is configured to rotate the radiation source about a vertical axis.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the conveying system is configured to move the object through the second interior region in a first direction; and

the frame is further configured to move the robotic arm in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

14. The scanning unit of claim 1, wherein the robotic arm is configured to rotate the radiation source about a vertical axis.

15. The scanning unit of claim 1, wherein the detector array is helical.

16. The scanning unit of claim 1, wherein:

the detector is aligned with a first plane; and

the robotic arm is offset from the first plane so that the radiation source is movable by the robotic arm in a second plane different from the first plane, the robotic arm being sufficiently offset from the first plane so that at least part of the radiation beam emitted by the radiation source illuminates the object without being intercepted by a portion of the detector.

17. A scanning system for examining contents of an object, the scanning system comprising:

a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region;

a robotic arm supported by the frame within the first interior region;

a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine an object, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm;

a detector array within the first interior region and encompassing, at least in part, a second interior region, to detect radiation after interaction with the object;

means for moving the object through the second interior region, in a first direction;

means for moving the robotic arm in a second direction transverse to the first direction, partially around the object, to move the radiation source partially around the object; and

means for moving a portion of the detector array between first and second positions as the radiation source is moved partially around the object.

18. A method of examining contents of an object, comprising:

moving a radiation source partially around an object, by a robotic arm;

generating a radiation beam to scan at least a portion of the object from a plurality of positions around the object;

pivoting the radiation source as the radiation source is moved around the object, by the robotic arm, to aim the radiation source toward the object;

detecting radiation transmitted through the object from a plurality of positions around the object by at least one detector positioned at least partially around the object; and

processing data based on the detected radiation to form an image of at least the portion of the object.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising processing the data to form at least one computed tomographic image.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one detector comprises a detector array, the method comprising:

detecting the radiation by the detector array; and

moving at least a portion of the detector array between a first position between the object and the radiation source and a second position not between the object and the radiation source.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one detector comprises a detector array, the method further comprising:

detecting the radiation by the detector array; and

moving at least a portion of the detector array into a position to detect the radiation, based, at least in part, on a position of the radiation source.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising:

moving the radiation source diagonally with respect to the object.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the detector array is aligned with a first plane, the method comprising:

moving the radiation source through a plane offset from the central plane.

24. The method of claim 18, comprising:

detecting the radiation by a helical detector.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the object comprises a cargo container, the method further comprising:

moving the cargo container in a first direction, through a region defined, at least in part, by a detector array; and

moving the radiation source around the cargo container by the robotic arm in a second direction transverse to the first direction.