Hand-held Backscatter X-ray Probe for Concealed Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scanning devices for detecting concealed materials and objects are either large and expensive or insensitive to carefully hidden items, limiting their utility to specific high-throughput locations like sea ports and airport checkpoints, and they often require breaching barriers to obtain information.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held portable backscatter inspection system that projects a shaped X-ray beam, using a housing with an X-ray tube, detectors, a processor, gyroscope, and accelerometer to generate images of objects by calculating active pixels and time durations of the beam's interaction, allowing for immediate feedback without breaching concealing barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmission X-ray imaging systems are used, then detection capability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential backscatter detection functionality from complex transmission imaging systems, using a simplified detector array that captures scattered radiation without requiring full transmission imaging geometry. This reduces device size while maintaining detection capability for concealed objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission imaging systems with a backscatter-based detection system that uses scattered radiation patterns to infer object presence and composition, eliminating the need for large transmission paths and complex mechanical positioning systems.
2Device complexity
If trace detection equipment is used, then device portability is improved, but detection sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional backscatter detector that can detect various materials (organic, inorganic, metallic, non-metallic) using a single portable device design. The detector array and processing system are engineered to handle diverse detection scenarios, maintaining sensitivity across different material types while preserving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs energy discrimination and multiple detection parameters to enhance sensitivity of the portable device. By analyzing scattered radiation at different energy levels and angles, the system achieves high detection sensitivity comparable to fixed installations while maintaining hand-held portability.
3Loss of information
If barriers are breached to obtain information, then information accuracy is improved, but operational safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses backscatter radiation as an intermediary to obtain information about concealed objects without physical contact or barrier breach. The scattered radiation carries information about the object's composition and structure, allowing accurate detection while maintaining safety by keeping the detector outside the barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical barrier breach with a non-contact radiation-based detection system. Instead of mechanically penetrating barriers to inspect contents, the system uses backscatter imaging to obtain information through the barrier, eliminating safety risks associated with barrier penetration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient scanning of concealed materials and objects in confined locations, providing immediate feedback and detailed images without the need to breach barriers, enhancing security by being compact, lightweight, and maneuverable.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of detectors for generating scan data corresponding to a plurality of detected X-ray beams scattered from the object
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification describes a compact, hand-held probe or device that uses the principle of X-ray backscatter to provide immediate feedback to an operator about the presence of scattering and absorbing materials, items or objects behind concealing barriers irradiated by ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. Feedback is provided in the form of a changing audible tone whereby the pitch or frequency of the tone varies depending on the type of scattering material, item or object. Additionally or alternatively, the operator obtains a visual scan image on a screen by scanning the beam around a suspect area or anomaly.