IP Library Granted Patent US 8,041,002
Granted Patent B2
US 8,041,002 · App. 11/848,593 · Granted Oct 18, 2011

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for increasing efficiency in computed tomography detection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,041,002
App. No.
11/848,593
Granted
Oct 18, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, computer-readable mediums, and systems are provided. In one embodiment, a method detects at least one faulty X-ray detector signal and adjusts a conveyor speed and/or a gantry speed in accordance with the detection to increase information for image reconstruction. In another embodiment, a method detects a high volume time. Upon detection of the high volume time conveyor speed and gantry speed is increased during the high volume time. After expiration of the high volume time, the conveyor speed and gantry speed is reduced. In yet other embodiments, the computer-readable mediums and systems are also provided which perform similar features recited by the above methods.

Claims (24)

1. A method comprising:

detecting at least one faulty X-ray detector signal in a plurality of X-ray detector signals, wherein each X-ray detector signal in said plurality has a detector associated therewith; and

adjusting at least one of a conveyor speed and a gantry rotational speed in accordance with said detection.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting further comprises:

calculating at least one of desired conveyor speed and a desired gantry speed in accordance with a detector position for said at least one faulty X-ray detector signal.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising transmitting said calculation to at least one of a remote baggage handling system, an image reconstruction module, a local user interface, and a conveyor motor controller.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting further comprises:

calculating a difference between a reference conveyor speed and a desired conveyor speed in accordance with a detector position for said at least one faulty X-ray detector signal.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

performing primary gain scans at a first time;

storing primary data associated with said primary gain scans at said first time;

performing secondary gain scans at a second time;

storing secondary data associated with said secondary gain scans at said second time;

computing, for each said detector, a relationship between said primary data and said secondary data; and

flagging said detector as a bad detector when said relationship exceeds a threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting of said conveyor speed increases a number of computed tomography (“CT”) slices.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting of said gantry rotational speed increases a rate at which computed tomography (“CT”) slices are acquired.

8. A system comprising:

a gantry;

an X-ray emitter configured to emit X-rays within said gantry;

a detector array within said gantry and adapted to detect said X-rays wherein said detector array has a plurality of detectors;

a conveyor configured to move objects through said gantry;

a subsystem configured to check integrity of said plurality of detectors; and

a second subsystem configured to adjust at least one of a speed of said conveyor and a speed of said gantry in accordance with said integrity check to achieve a desired resolution.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PURPOSE OF THE CORRECTION IS TO ADD THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION PAGE TO THE ORIGINALLY FILED CHANGE OF NAME DOCUMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 032122 FRAME 67. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: MORPHO DETECTION, INC.
To: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 032470/0682 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 24, 2014
From: MORPHO DETECTION, INC.
To: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
Reel/Frame 032122/0067 →