Spatial sequenced backscatter portal
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for scanning an object in an inspection space are disclosed. The systems and methods generally incorporate spatially separated and sequenced Compton x-ray backscatter imaging techniques in a plurality of perspective planes. Such processes as time-gating detectors, weighting scintillation detections, and preferentially accepting signals that originate from a point that is substantially orthogonal to a radiation detector and at least partially shielding out signals that do not originate from a point substantially orthogonal to the detector may be used to enhance the data acquisition process.
1. A method for scanning an object in an inspection space comprising:
(a) scanning the object from a first perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a first plane starting at a first entry point in the inspection space that is adjacent a first edge of the inspection space to establish a first scan line trace of the object from the first perspective;
(b) scanning the object from a second perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a second plane that is adjacent to but not co-planar with the first plane, starting at a second entry point on the second plane that is adjacent a second edge between the first plane and the second plane, to establish a second scan line trace of the object from the second perspective;
(c) providing relative motion between the object and the first scan line trace and the second scan line trace; and
(d) repeating step (a), step (b), and step (c) at least once such that the repetition of step (a) produces a first two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple first image scan lines from the first perspective and step (b) produces a second two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple second image scan lines from the second perspective.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) and step (b) are initiated at approximately the same time.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first plane is substantially orthogonal to the second plane.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
(e) scanning the object from a third perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a third plane that is adjacent to but not co-planar with the second plane, starting at a third entry point on the third plane that is adjacent a third edge between the second plane and the third plane, to establish a third scan line trace of the object from the third perspective, wherein step (a), step (b) and step (e) are initiated at approximately the same time;
(f) providing relative motion between the object and the third scan line trace; and
(g) repeating step (e) and step (f) at least once concurrently with repeating step (a), step (b) and step (c) such that step (e) produces a third two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple third image scan lines from the third perspective.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising time gating of scintillation detections during at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b).
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising weighting of scintillation detections during at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b).
7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b) further comprises ortho-enhancing the scanning.
8. A method for scanning an object in an inspection space comprising:
(a) scanning the object from a first perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a first plane starting at a first entry point adjacent a first edge of the inspection space to establish a first scan line trace of the object from the first perspective;
(b) scanning the object from a second perspective that is substantially orthogonal to a second plane where the second perspective is opposed to the first perspective, starting the scanning at a second entry point on the second plane that is diagonally opposed across the inspection space from the first entry point, to establish a second scan line trace of the object from the second perspective, wherein step (a) and step (b) are initiated at approximately the same time;
(c) providing relative motion between the object and the first scan line trace and the second scan line trace; and
(d) repeating step (a), step (b), and step (c) at least once such that the repetition of step (a) produces a first two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple first image scan lines from the first perspective and step (b) produces a second two-dimensional image of the object comprising multiple second image scan lines from the second perspective.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the second perspective is diametrically-opposed to the first perspective.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising a step of time gating of scintillation detections during at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b).
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising weighting of scintillation detections during at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b).
12. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one step selected from the group consisting of step (a) and step (b) further comprises ortho-enhancing the scanning.