Compact body scanner
Imaging systems and methods are provided for detecting object that may be hidden under clothing, ingested, inserted, or otherwise concealed on or in a person's body. An imaging assembly and mechanisms for moving the imaging assembly may be configured to reduce the overall form factor of such imaging systems, while still retaining an ability to perform full/complete imaging of a subject.
1. A system comprising:
an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray fan beam;
an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray fan beam;
a connecting member connecting the X-ray source and the X-ray detector such that the X-ray source and X-ray detector remain in geometric alignment for the X-ray detector to detect the X-ray fan beam;
a base frame encompassing a base compartment, the base frame comprising a surface upon which a subject is positioned;
a source-side frame encompassing a source-side compartment containing the X-ray source, wherein the source-side frame is attached to a first end of the base frame;
a detector-side frame encompassing a detector-side compartment containing a portion of the X-ray detector, the detector-side frame attached to a second end of the base frame such that a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through the subject;
a connecting frame encompassing a connecting compartment containing a portion of the connecting member, wherein the connecting frame is attached to the source-side frame and the detector-side frame;
an actuator for causing the X-ray fan beam to move across the subject by translating the X-ray detector and translating the X-ray source, wherein the translation of the X-ray detector is greater than the translation of the X-ray source; and
a computer configured to receive X-ray data from the X-ray detector and produce a digital image of a person from the received X-ray data.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through a portion of the base compartment.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through a portion of the connecting compartment.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base compartment contains a portion of the connecting member.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through a portion of the base compartment and a portion of the connecting compartment.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the base compartment contains a portion of the connecting member.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first calibration assembly operatively connected to the X-ray detector.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a user input to initiate X-ray imaging.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotational actuator.
10. An imaging assembly comprising:
an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray fan beam;
an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray fan beam;
a connecting member connecting the X-ray source and the X-ray detector such that the X-ray source and X-ray detector remain in geometric alignment for the X-ray detector to detect the X-ray fan beam;
a base frame encompassing a base compartment, the base frame comprising a surface upon which a subject is positioned, wherein the base compartment contains a portion of the connecting member during imaging;
a source-side frame encompassing a source-side compartment containing the X-ray source, wherein the source-side frame is attached to a first end of the base frame;
a detector-side frame encompassing a detector-side compartment containing a portion of the X-ray detector, the detector-side frame attached to a second end of the base frame such that a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through the subject;
a connecting frame encompassing a connecting compartment containing a portion of the connecting member, wherein the connecting frame is attached to the source-side frame and the detector-side frame, wherein a portion of the X-ray fan beam passes through a portion of the base compartment and a portion of the connecting compartment; and
an actuator for causing the X-ray fan beam to move across the subject.
11. The imaging assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a computer configured to receive X-ray data from the X-ray detector, generate a digital image of a person from the received X-ray data, and store the digital image.
12. The imaging assembly of claim 11 , wherein the connecting frame is attached to the base frame.
13. The imaging assembly of claim 11 , wherein moving the X-ray fan beam comprises translating the X-ray detector and translating the X-ray source, wherein the translation of the X-ray detector is greater than the translation of the X-ray source.
14. The imaging assembly of claim 13 , wherein the actuator comprises a first linear actuator for translating the X-ray detector and a second linear actuator for translating the X-ray source.
15. The imaging assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first linear actuator is configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray source, and wherein the second linear actuator is configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray detector.
16. The imaging assembly of claim 14 , wherein the X-ray source is translated at a first rate and the X-ray detector is translated at a second rate.
17. The imaging assembly of claim 13 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotational actuator, wherein rotation of the rotational actuator corresponds to the translation of the X-ray detector.
18. The imaging assembly of claim 13 , wherein translation of the X-ray detector and the translation of the X-ray source comprises a rotation of the connecting member.
19. The imaging assembly of claim 18 , wherein an axis of rotation of the connecting member is farther from the X-ray detector than the X-ray source.