EP0825457A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple angle pre-screening tomographic systems and methods
Assignee: Analogic Corp
•
Filing: 1997-06-27
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2017-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A multiple angle tomographic system includes a rotating gantry with a source, e.g., an x-ray source, and detector array combination mounted thereon so as to acquire a plurality of projections of objects passing through the gantry. A pre-screen subsystem utilizes a subset of the projections from those that can be acquired during a full scan so as to define a first plurality of projections - e.g., eight projections - that are sufficient analyze whether there is a likelihood that a targeted object, e.g., a firearm and/or plastic explosives is present. If there is a likelihood that a targeted object is present, a full-image CT reconstruction is commanded, automatically or manually, so as to verify and more fully assess the detected object. This combination of pre-screen and selective full-image CT reconstruction provides thorough inspection of closed containers, e.g., passenger luggage, by providing multiple angle and perspective viewing of targeted objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard M. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01V5/226; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2985; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S378/00; Y10S378/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A CT scanning system of the type for generating projection data of at least
a portion of an object disposed within the system for each of a predetermined number
N projections at corresponding N projection angles for each scan of the object, said
system further comprising: pre-screening processor means for processing pre-screen data for each of a
predetermined number of M projections at M projection angles, wherein 2≤M<N; and analyzer means for analyzing said processed pre-screened data to determine
whether there is a likelihood of the presence of a physical attribute within the location
of the object being scanned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 1, wherein said M projection angles
are selected from the N projection angles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 1, further including CT image
reconstruction processor means for processing said projection data so as to generate CT
image reconstruction data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 3, wherein said CT image
reconstruction processor means is responsive to said analyzer means so as to generate
CT image reconstruction data when said analyzer means determines that there is a
likelihood of the presence of a physical attribute within the location of the object being
scanned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 3, further including means for
acquiring said projection data, and means for preselecting said pre-screen data from said
projection data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
234 words
A CT scanning system for scanning an object to determine the presence of a
target that (i) may be disposed within the object and (ii) has a target signature associated
with a measurable physical attribute, said system comprising: (a) a source of X-rays; (b) a detector system for receiving X-rays from said source during a scan so as
to define a beam of X-rays between the source and the detector system; (c) rotation means for rotating at least the source about a rotation axis so that said
source moves through a predetermined number N of projection angles with each rotation
of said source so as to provide an X-ray projection of an object disposed in said beam
onto said detector system at each of said projection angles; (d) data acquisition means, cooperative with said detector system, for acquiring
projection data as a function of said physical attribute for each of said projections of an
object disposed in said beam onto said detector system at each of said projection angles;
and (e) processor means for processing said acquired data as a function of said
physical attribute, said processor means including pre-screening means for processing
pre-screened data which is that data acquired when said source is at a preselect number
M of said N projection angles, wherein 2≤M<N, to determine whether there is a
likelihood of the presence of said target within the object being scanned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 6, said system further including
means for selectively displaying each of M projections from which said pre-screened
data is acquired.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 6, wherein the preselect number
and location of said M projection angles is selectable by an operator of the system from
said N projection angles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 6, wherein said pre-screening
means includes indication means for providing an indication when the pre-screened data
indicates there is a likelihood of the presence of said target within the location of the
object being scanned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 9, wherein said processor means
further includes image reconstruction processing means for processing the projection
data acquired by said data acquisition means from all of the projections of an object
disposed in said beam for all of said projection angles N so as to generated CT
reconstruction image data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 10, further including means for
displaying a CT reconstruction image as a function of the CT reconstruction image data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 10, wherein said image
reconstruction processing means processes the projection data acquired by said data
acquisition means for all of said projections of said object for all off said projection
angles N when said indication means provides an indication that there is a likelihood of
the presence of said target within the location of the object being scanned.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 12, further including means for
storing the projection data acquired for at least N projection angles, and means for
selecting said pre-screened data from said projection data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 12, further including means for
controlling said system so that said data acquisition means initially only acquires said
pre-screened data, said indication means indicates each location in the object that there
is a likelihood of the presence of said target; and means for rescanning those locations
in the object so indicated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 6, further including dual energy
source means for energizing said source at two different energy levels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A CT scanning system according to claim 6, wherein said detector system
includes a two dimensional detector array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A baggage scanner for sequentially scanning a plurality of said objects
and including the CT scanning system of claim 6, and further including conveying
means for transporting a plurality of said objects to be scanned in sequence between said
X-ray source and detector system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A medical CT imaging system for scanning a patient and including the CT
scanning system of claim 6, and further including support means for supporting a patient
between the source and detector system, and means for moving support means and the
rotation means relative to one another in a direction parallel to said rotation axis so as
to volumetrically scan said patient.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of determining the presence of a target within a containing
volume of an object, said method comprising the steps of: (A) positioning the object within a CT scanner and generating at least two
projection views through at least a portion of the object; (B) determining from the projection views whether there is a likelihood of the
presence of said target within the portion of the object being scan; and (C) generating one or more full CT reconstructed image of the portion of the
object being scanned when it is determined from the projection views that there is a
likelihood of the presence of said target within the portion of the object being scan.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 19, further including the step of displaying one
or more of the projection views, separately or in combination, onto a display terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the target is a metastasized
tumor and wherein the object is a human body or portions thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the target is a dangerous object
and wherein the object is an item of baggage or portions thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein said dangerous object is a sheet
of plastic explosive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.