IP Library Granted Patent US 9,588,234
Granted Patent B2
US 9,588,234 · App. 14/258,481 · Granted Mar 7, 2017

Miniature, mobile X-ray computed radiography system

Inventors: Scott A Watson (Los Alamos, NM); Evan A Rose (Los Alamos, NM)
G01T1/2014G01N23/04G01T1/2012G01N2223/301G01N2223/308
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,588,234
App. No.
14/258,481
Granted
Mar 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A miniature, portable x-ray system may be configured to scan images stored on a phosphor. A flash circuit may be configured to project red light onto a phosphor and receive blue light from the phosphor. A digital monochrome camera may be configured to receive the blue light to capture an article near the phosphor.

Claims (37)

1. A system, comprising:

a flash circuit configured to project a short flash of red light directly onto a phosphor, and directly receive blue light from the phosphor; and

a digital monochrome camera configured to receive the blue light to capture an image of an article near the phosphor; and

a lens in between, and attached to, the flash circuit and the digital monochrome camera.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein

the lens configured to allow the image to be situated in a single location without having a focus ring on or around the image.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flash circuit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to project the red light onto the phosphor.

4. The system of claim 3 , further comprising:

a condenser lens attached to each of the plurality of light emitting diode, the condenser lens configured to project focused red light onto the phosphor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flash circuit further comprises a plurality of laser diodes configured to project focused red light onto the phosphor.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprises:

at least one filter configured to reject the red light projected onto the phosphor and allow the blue light from the phosphor to pass through to the digital monochrome camera.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flash circuit comprises a pulse power unit,

the pulse power unit comprises at least one battery and a plurality of capacitors.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the flash circuit comprises a plurality of lights, and wherein the pulse power unit is configured to use high density energy from the plurality of capacitors to power the plurality of lights.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a hot shoe configured to develop the phosphor in a flash mode and erase the phosphor for subsequent use.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor is painted or deposited on a planar or non-planar surface to create a radiation detector of arbitrary size and shape.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor comprises slow relaxation storage-phosphor compounds.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor is configured to remain stationary during operation.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a lightweight x-ray source configured to irradiate the article with photons ionizing particles such that a transmission image of the article can be generated.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a box configured to unfold into a flat panel or remain in a folded state, the box comprises the monochrome digital camera, the flash circuit, a hot shoe, a lens, and the phosphor.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the box is further configured to create a portable dark room that prevents ambient light from entering the box.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the box comprises walls configured to create minimum separation between scanned images so a complete mosaic of an article is taken.

17. A system, comprising:

a monochrome camera configured to directly scan one or more images of an article recorded on one or more phosphors such that the one or more images can form a complete mosaic of the article;

a flash circuit comprising:

a plurality of lights configured to directly project focused red light onto the one or more phosphors; and

a filter configured to reject the red light projected directly onto the one or more phosphors, and pass blue light received directly from the one or more phosphors to the monochrome camera; and

a lens in between, and attached to, the monochrome camera and the flash circuit.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising:

a box is further configured to create a portable dark room to prevent ambient light from entering the box.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more phosphors are painted or deposited on a planar or non-planar surface to create a radiation detector of arbitrary size and shape.

20. The system of claim 17 , further comprising:

a lightweight x-ray source configured to irradiate the article with photons ionizing particles such that a transmission image of the article can be generated.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2018
From: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 047396/0489 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jun 24, 2014
From: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 033164/0457 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2014
From: WATSON, SCOTT A; ROSE, EVAN A
To: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 033026/0541 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61814430 · Apr 22, 2013
Related Publication 20150078520A1 · Mar 19, 2015