Abstract: A method to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter the high-field region of an MRI suite. The device used comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The method places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.

Abstract: A hand held apparatus and method for detecting paper currency, within a package, where the paper currency has a ferromagnetic component. The apparatus includes a DC magnetic field source for inducing a DC de-magnetization field in any ferromagnetic paper currency that may be present within a package, and DC magnetic sensors for detecting certain characteristic patterns in the DC “de-mag” field induced by the DC magnetic field source. These certain characteristic field patterns are indicative of paper currency arranged in commonly found arrangements.

Abstract: An object detection portal wherein a video image is obtained of a volume or area being scanned, and location of a threat object is determined and displayed in real time as an indicator overlay on the video image. An individual subject being scanned may be continuously monitored by an operator during an object divesting process, and an operator may view the threat object moving from or remaining with the subject. Object location information is supplied to a video driver to superimpose the overlay on a real time image of a subject. The scanning portal may interact with an exit barrier. The exit barrier may be activated automatically in response to sensing of a threat.

Abstract: An advanced technology screening checkpoint system includes a baggage screening zone, a passenger screening zone, and a secondary screening zone. The baggage screening zone may include an explosives scanning system and an imaging system, while the passenger screening zone may include an explosives detection portal and a self-divestment portal to show passengers what to divest prior to screening by a high sensitivity metal detection portal. In some implementations, a secondary screening zone includes a sealed-bottle scanning system, an enhanced explosives detection system, a weapons search routine, and a body scanning system. Centralized monitoring of screening results for individual detection and screening systems of the baggage, passenger, and secondary screening zones may be provided by a combined user interface (CUI).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter the high-field region of an MRI suite. The device comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.

Abstract: A method to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter the high-field region of an MRI suite. The device used comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The method places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a controlled area. The device comprises a screening portal, including multiple sensor arrays and associated electronics. The device places the sensor arrays in close proximity to a subject's body, including the head and feet if desired, for screening purposes. The portal can have multiple excitation sources oriented to generate a multi-axis excitation field, and multi-axis sensors. The portal can also have an interlock with the door of the controlled area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a security area. The device comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.

Abstract: A probe instrument using room-temperature sensor(s) that can measure variations in magnetic susceptibilities. The instrument has sufficient resolution to monitor paramagnetic materials in a human body, such as iron in a human liver, by noninvasively examining patients with iron-overload diseases. The instrument includes room temperature magnetic sensors, and detects the sample, that is, the tissue response to an alternating current field applied by an applied field coil. The applied field coil dimensions are chosen so that the applied field is optimized for maximum response from the liver while minimizing the effects due to the overlying abdominal tissue and at the same time not unduly increasing the sensitivity of the instrument to the lung. To overcome variations in the sensor output due to fluctuations in the applied field, change in the ambient temperature and mechanical relaxation of the instrument, the sensor-sample distance is modulated.

Abstract: A screening portal for detecting the passage of ferromagnetic threat objects, whether permanently magnetized or not, by the use of AC induction coil sensors to detect a non-magnetized object, in combination with sensors capable of detecting the passage of a permanently magnetized object.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method having a magnet assembly, which provides substantially flat surfaces of constant magnetic field outside the assembly and a set of magnetic field gradients. One-, two-, and three-dimensional images are rendered. The static magnetic field is virtually uniform within horizontal degrees of freedom and decreases monotonically in a direction away from the surface. An RF probe, for example, a coil, located adjacent the surface, produces a field substantially perpendicular to the static magnetic field. A magnetic field gradient is set to horizontally scan a given level within the sensitive volume. Received magnetic resonance signals are detected by the coil for a depth corresponding to the excitation frequency. As the tuning and excitation frequency is switched to lower values, signals are generated for layers progressively farther from the surface. The RF probe is automatically tuned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for minimizing the effects of temperature drift in a magnetic susceptibility measurement instrument, such as an instrument used in pre-MRI screening for the presence of ferromagnetic foreign bodies. The magnetic field source and magnetic sensors can be combined into a single, rigid unit. The stability and sensitivity required in high quality magnetic susceptibility measurements can be achieved through symmetrical design of the source-sensor unit, minimization of thermal stresses, minimization of temperature variations, use of materials with low thermal expansion coefficients, or through appropriate combinations thereof. Use of patient eye movement where an eye is being screened, use of a water bag between the patient and the instrument, or use of telemedicine to facilitate performance of the necessary computations can also be incorporated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a controlled area. The device comprises a screening portal, including at least one magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to a subject's body, for screening purposes. The portal has at least one excitation coil oriented to cause the excitation field to have zero mutual inductance with the gradiometers.

Abstract: A combined systems user interface (CUI) may be configured with an advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC), which is a passenger-friendly, high performance system for screening passengers and carry-on items to detect assembled bombs, bomb components, metallic and non-metallic weapons, and other contraband items. The CUI may include a baggage, passenger, and secondary screening status regions. The baggage screening status region displays screening information generated by an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system, while the passenger screening status region displays screening information generated by an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal. In some implementations, a secondary screening status region displays screening information generated by a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system.

Abstract: An explosives detection system which includes computed tomography (CT) and quadrupole resonance (QR) sensors for identifying particular explosive compounds present in passenger baggage. The CT sensor may be configured to automatically identify the presence or absence of bulk military, commercial, and sheet explosives during CT scanning of the baggage. Similarly, the QR sensor may be configured to responsively generate RDX and PETN signals during QR scanning of the passenger baggage. Using any of a variety of inspection protocols, the explosives detection system may generate an output alarm based upon data obtained from the CT and QR sensors.

Abstract: An inspection system including a radio frequency (RF) subsystem and a quadrupole resonance (QR) tube array coil. The RF subsystem may include a variable frequency RF source to provide RF excitation signals at a frequency generally corresponding to predetermined, characteristic QR frequencies of a specimen. The QR tube array coil may be implemented using a plurality of conductive tubes defining a cavity of predetermined volume. Typically, the plurality of conductive tubes are spaced at a distance relative to one another to form at least two non-conductive gaps between tubes in the array. After RF excitation signals are applied to the specimen within the cavity, the QR tube array coil may generate a QR output signal responsive to QR signals generated by the specimen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a controlled area. The device comprises a screening portal, including multiple sensor arrays and associated electronics. The device places the sensor arrays in close proximity to a subject's body, including the head and feet if desired, for screening purposes. The portal can have multiple excitation sources oriented to generate a multi-axis excitation field, and multi-axis sensors. The portal can also have an interlock with the door of the controlled area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a controlled area. The device comprises a screening portal, including at least one magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to a subject's body, for screening purposes. The portal has at least one excitation coil oriented to cause the excitation field to have zero mutual inductance with the gradiometers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter the high-field region of an MRI suite. The device comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter a security area. The device comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The device places all of the sensor arrays in close proximity to all parts of a subject's body, for screening purposes.