Compact body scanner

1. An imaging system comprising:

an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray beam;

an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the X-ray source being joined by a connecting member such that the X-ray detector and the X-ray source remain in geometric alignment for the X-ray detector to receive the X-ray beam during an imaging process; and

a translational mechanism configured to vertically translate the X-ray source and the X-ray detector during the imaging process, such that the X-ray source is translated within a first vertical path having a first height range and the X-ray detector is translated within a second vertical path having a second height range, wherein the second height range exceeds the first height range, wherein the translational mechanism comprises a first cable and a second cable, the first cable attached to the X-ray detector at a first terminus and a first counterweight device at a second terminus, the second cable attached to the X-ray source at a first terminus and a second counterweight device at a second terminus, and wherein the first cable is threaded on a first pulley and the second cable is threaded on a second pulley.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray source comprises a collimating device;

wherein the collimating device is configured to shape the X-ray beam into a fan-beam shaped sheet of X-rays by passing at least a portion of X-rays within the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source through an opening within the collimating device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray detector comprises a first side member and a second side member, the first side member and the second side member attached at either side of a back member at an obtuse angle.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray detector comprises an active area defined by at least one photodiode array configured to absorb radiant energy associated with the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the geometric alignment between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source is established by vertically translating the X-ray detector iteratively and obtaining an amount of the radiant energy absorbed by the active area of the X-ray detector, the amount of the radiant energy corresponding to a threshold amount of radiant energy.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the imaging process comprises receiving image data corresponding to electrical signals obtained from optical signals generated by the at least one photodiode array of the X-ray detector in response to the X-ray detector receiving the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the translational mechanism comprises a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, the first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray source via the first cable, the second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray detector via the second cable;

wherein the X-ray source is translated at a first rate and the X-ray detector is translated at a second rate.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the translational mechanism is further configured to rotate the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at a downward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is lower than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the translational mechanism is further configured to rotate the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at an upward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is higher than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a user input to initiate the imaging process.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving a user input via a controller configured to initiate an imaging process;

establishing geometric alignment between an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray beam and an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the X-ray source being joined by a connecting member such that the X-ray detector and the X-ray source remain in optical alignment for the X-ray detector to receive the X-ray beam during the imaging process; and

vertically translating the X-ray source using a first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation via a first cable independently from a second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray detector via a second cable, wherein the first cable is attached to the X-ray source at a first terminus and a first counterweight device at a second terminus; and

vertically translating the X-ray detector using the second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation via the second cable independently from the first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray source via the second cable, such that the X-ray source is translated within a first vertical path having a first height range and the X-ray detector is translated within a second vertical path having a second height range, wherein the second height range exceeds the first height range.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein establishing the geometric alignment between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source comprises iteratively translating the X-ray detector vertically.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein establishing the geometric alignment further comprises obtaining an amount of radiant energy absorbed by an active area of the X-ray detector, the active area of the X-ray detector comprising at least one photodiode array configured to respond to radiant energy associated with the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source during the imaging process.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein establishing the geometric alignment further comprises determining whether the amount of the radiant energy absorbed by the active area of the X-ray detector corresponds to a threshold amount of radiant energy.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second cable is attached to the X-ray detector at a first terminus and a second counterweight device at a second terminus.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises vertically translating the X-ray at a first rate and vertically translating the X-ray detector at a second rate.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises rotating the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at a downward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is lower than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises rotating the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at an upward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is higher than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path.

19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising generating optical signals by the X-ray detector in response to the X-ray detector receiving the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source during the imaging process.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising obtaining image data corresponding to electrical signals obtained from the optical signals generated during the imaging process.