Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.

Abstract: A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as portable electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The exemplary systems and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging using spread-spectrum, wide instantaneous band, coherent, coded waveforms.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.

Abstract: A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The apparatus, systems, and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging using spread-spectrum, wide instantaneous band, coherent, coded waveforms.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.

Abstract: A muon detector system capable of determining muon direction and flight trajectory or path is disclosed. The muon detector system includes scintillators for determining muon direction, and an array of muon detectors arranged in orthogonal layers for determining flight trajectory. The system can be used for tomographic and telescopic mode imaging, and may be used for imaging concealed and/or subterranean objects.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for inspecting and imaging of contents of a volume is disclosed. One implementation of the disclosed systems, devices and methods includes an apparatus for inspecting and imaging of contents of a volume of interest which includes a first particle tracking unit of detectors to receive incoming charged particles that transit through an object and to measure position and direction of the charged particles that transit through the object while allowing the charged particles to pass through, and a second particle tracking unit of detectors installed relative to the first particle tracking unit of detectors and to the volume of interest containing the object of inspection so that it is positioned to receive the outgoing charged particles that transit through the first particle tracking unit and transit through the object of inspection and to measure a position and a direction of the outgoing charged particles.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-invasive monitoring and imaging of nuclear fuel inside a nuclear reactor using muon detector arrays. In one aspect, these detector arrays are placed outside the reactor vessel or building for investigating the reactors without access to the cores, therefore the imaging process is non-invasive. In some implementation, these detector arrays measure both muon scattering and absorption to enable imaging and characterizing not only the very high-Z fuel materials, but also other materials in the reactor, thereby obtaining a more complete picture of reactor status. When applied to damaged reactors, the disclosed proposed techniques, systems, and devices, through the process of providing an image, can reveal the presence (or absence) of damage to fuel rod assemblies or puddles of molten fuel at the bottom of the containment vessel, thus providing crucial information to guide decisions about remedial actions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for charged particle tomography imaging. In one aspect, a system includes a charged particle tomography scanner (CPTS) unit to detect individual charged particles of an emitted charged particle beam delivered to a subject by a charged particle delivery (CPD) system, and a processing unit to determine the angular trajectory change (scattering) and energy loss of the charged particle beam based on detected trajectory information and produce an anatomical image. The CPTS unit includes two detectors, one positioned between the subject and the CPD system, and the other detector positioned opposite to the first detector to detect the trajectory information of the individual charged particles of the charged particle beam having passed through the first detector and the subject, and a motion control unit to move the detectors, in which the detectors' size covers an area at least that of the beam's cross-section.

Abstract: In one aspect, a charged particle tomography and radiation therapy system includes a charged particle tomography scanner (CPTS) unit to detect at least some of the charged particles of an emitted charged particle beam delivered to a region of interest of a subject. A processing unit can determine energy loss of the charged particle beam based on the detected trajectory information. An incoming detector is positioned to detect trajectory information of the at least some of the charged particles entering the subject. An outgoing detector is positioned to detect trajectory information of the at least some of the charged particles passing through and exiting the subject. A motion control unit can control movement of the incoming and outgoing detectors. The incoming and outgoing detectors are sized to cover at least an area substantially equivalent to the beam's cross-section. The processing unit can map radiation dose of the region of interest.

Abstract: A muon detector system capable of determining muon direction and flight trajectory or path is disclosed. The muon detector system includes scintillators for determining muon direction, and an array of muon detectors arranged in orthogonal layers for determining flight trajectory. The system can be used for tomographic and telescopic mode imaging, and may be used for imaging concealed and/or subterranean objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for the deployment and operation of shipping container scanning systems that enables scanning of containers passing through a modern, highly automated port without impeding the flow of commerce. Locating the scanners where container dwell time is already longest, and configuring scanners to scan up to several containers in parallel but under separate scanning control, minimizes any delay associated with scanning. Operationally integrating scanning systems with the automated logistical port systems ensures smooth, delay-free operation. Controlling the flow of information so that scanning results, including but not limited to images and assessments of the presence or absence of threat material or contraband, are sent only to government Customs and/or security facilities adjacent to but separate from the port insulates port operators from involvement in activities that could slow container throughput.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging using spread-spectrum, wide instantaneous band, coherent, coded waveforms.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for two scanners to inspect objects based on an initial scanning of all objects and an additional scanning of objects that are determined by the initial scanning to potentially include one or more suspect regions. In one implementation, a system can include a primary scanner for performing the initial or primary scanning and a smaller secondary scanner for the additional or secondary scanning to provide efficient and accurate inspection of objects while maintaining a desired throughput of the inspection. In another implementation, a single scanner can be used to perform both the initial scanning and the additional scanning while maintaining a sufficient throughput of a line of objects under inspection.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for analyzing a point of closest approach (PoCA) image of a volume of interest (VOI) comprising a set of recorded PoCA points from charged particle detector measurements to detect an object within the VOI. The VOI is partitioned into a set of equally-sized bins with each bin including a subset of the PoCA points. A bin metric is determined for each bin. A subset of the bins is selected based on the detected bin metric with the subset of bins being most likely to contain objects. A potential object for each selected bin is determined by determining a location and a size for the potential object based at least on the PoCAs inside the bin. A figure of merit (FOM) of the potential object is determined as a measure of the likelihood that the potential object is truly a threat object.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for analyzing a reconstructed charged particle image of a volume of interest from charged particle detector measurements to determine a location and boundaries of one or more objects or an orientation of the one or more objects. The technique can include performing a segmentation operation on the reconstructed charged particle image of the volume. The segmentation operation identifies a subset of a set of voxels of the image of the volume as object candidate voxels. The technique can include locating corners of the one or more objects to determine the location, boundaries, or the orientation of the one or more objects. The technique can also include the computation of the center of mass of the one or more objects. The technique can include performing a morphological operation on the image and can include performing a connected-component analysis on the identified object-candidate voxels.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for operating a multimode passive detection system (MMPDS). System control settings including operating parameters for the multimode passive detection system are stored. Detector signals are processed to reconstruct an image of a scanned volume and identify an object in the scanned volume based on the reconstructed image. The operating parameters and the detector signals at different processing stages are recorded. An operational health of the multimode passive detection system is monitored. Monitoring the operational health includes receiving information representing the operational health of various components of the multimode passive detection system, and determining an operational health status of one or more of the various components of the multimode passive detection system based on the received information representing the operational health of the multimode passive detection system.