Abstract: This invention uses the cone beam CT (Computer Tomography) principle to obtain nondestructive image of any object. For good reconstruction datasets from 2 orthogonal planes about the object are required in order to augment the signal relative to the polar artifacts of a standard Feldkamp reconstruction algorithm. Here, we suggest a practical way of implementing the 2 orthogonal planes theory by replacing the 2 gantry rotations by 2 rotations of only one fixed gantry and one movement of the object position, making it simple and low cost. This method is applied to the non-intrusive inspection of baggage or imaging of mice for pharmaceutical purposes where the object has to remain in a horizontal plane throughout the procedure. This algorithm can also be applied to nondestructive testing of any solid materials, for example: imperfections in semi-conductors, electronic components, composite materials etc.

Abstract: This invention uses the CT (Computer Tomography) principle to obtain nondestructive image of different x-ray attenuation inside an object. In order to have fast data acquisition and high resolution, a cone beam source and a 2-D detector surface are necessary. However, for good cone beam image reconstruction datasets from 2 orthogonal planes about the object are required (U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,156,) December 1994 of Kuo-Petravic and Hupke), thus making its implementation difficult as well as raising the cost of the scanner. Here, we suggest a practical way of implementing the 2 orthogonal planes theory by replacing the 2 gantry rotations by 2 rotations of only one fixed gantry and one movement of the object position, making it simple and low cost. This method is applied to the nonintrusive inspection of baggage or imaging of mice for pharmaceutical purposes where the object has to remain in a horizontal plane throughout the procedure.