Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object, the system and method comprising a source for generating a penetrating radiation beam for irradiating the object, the beam having, for each instant of time, an instantaneous energy spectrum of intensity, a shaper for modulating the generated beam, thereby creating a shaped beam, the shaper comprising at least a first section and a second section, the first section attenuating the intensity of a portion of the generated beam by a first attenuation factor and the second section attenuating the intensity of another portion of the generated beam by a second attenuation factor, and at least one detector for detecting the shaped beam after the shaped beam interacts with the object. The source may scan a beam across an object while the source and at least one detector are moving on a platform capable of highway travel or on an inspection module movable with respect to the object.

Abstract: An x-ray inspection system for identifying fissile material includes one or more sources of penetrating radiation that generate first, second, and third instantaneous spectra where the object is exposed to the second only if there is no penetration of the first and the object is exposed to the third only if there is no penetration of the second. Further, the sources of the second and the third spectra are pulsed. Consequently, ambient levels of radiation may be held below cabinet levels while identifying objects containing fissile material.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed toward systems and methods of detecting clandestine nuclear material in the form of emitted radiation and particles (e.g., neutrons and alpha particles). These embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with a conventional x-ray imaging system, may include an external source of penetrating radiation, at least one detector configured to detect at least penetrating radiation and to generate a detector signal, and a processor configured as a detector signal discriminator to generate an output indicating whether the detector signal is triggered by an origin other than backscattered penetrating radiation. Active and passive modes of detection are described by some embodiments. Other embodiments are directed toward neutron detection, gamma ray detection with energy resolution, and designs of detectors to enhance the detection of clandestine nuclear material.

Abstract: An inspection system based upon an enclosed conveyance such as a van capable of road travel. The conveyance is characterized by an enclosing body, or skin. The system has a source of penetrating radiation contained entirely within the body of the enclosed conveyance and a spatial modulator for forming the penetrating radiation into a beam for irradiating an object with a time-variable scanning profile. A detector module generates a scatter signal based on penetrating radiation scattered by contents of the object, while a proximity sensor generates a relative motion signal based on a relative disposition of the conveyance and the inspected object. An image is formed of the contents of the object based in part on the scatter signal and the relative motion signal. A detector, which may be separate or part of the scatter detector module, exhibits sensitivity to decay products of radioactive material.

Abstract: An inspection system based upon an enclosed conveyance such as a van, capable of road travel, for inspecting objects of inspection that may include persons. The conveyance is characterized by an enclosing body, or skin. A source of penetrating radiation and a spatial modulator for forming the penetrating radiation into a beam, both contained entirely within the body of the enclosed conveyance, irradiate an object with a time-variable scanning profile. A detector module generates a scatter signal based on penetrating radiation scattered by contents of the object, while a proximity sensor generates a relative motion signal based on a relative disposition of the conveyance and the inspected object. An image is formed of the contents of the object based in part on the scatter signal and the relative motion signal. A detector, which may be separate or part of the scatter detector module, may exhibit sensitivity to decay products of radioactive material.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an enclosure with penetrating radiation. Radiation side-scattered from an object within the enclosure is detected, allowing the object to be located. If the object is deemed suspect, a volume element of the suspect object is further irradiated with penetrating radiation, and radiation coherently-scattered by the volume element is detected. The energy spectrum and angular distribution of the coherently-scattered radiation are used to characterize the volume element of the suspect object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting neutrons, particularly, with directional sensitivity. The apparatus is a detector with a scintillator containing high neutron-capture-cross-section atoms for capturing neutrons and emitting electromagnetic radiation, and an optical detector for detecting the emitted electromagnetic radiation and for generating an electrical signal. The high neutron-capture-cross-section atoms may be gadolynium, in particular, and the detector may additionally have a moderator for converting fast neutrons into thermal neutrons that are then captured by the high neutron-capture-cross-section atoms.

Abstract: A portable device is provided to be carried e.g. by an individual or a family member, that contains medical history and medical image files including, among other things, medical data, images, reports, and other patient information. The device is small and in one embodiment comprises a key chain or thumb-sized device. The device includes an installer with viewing software that can be installed though a universal port on to any viewing device such as a PC. The viewing software also allows addition and removal of data files to and from the portable device, and incorporation of the data files into a relational database on the portable device.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object, the system and method comprising a source for generating a penetrating radiation beam for irradiating the object, the beam having, for each instant of time, an instantaneous energy spectrum of intensity, a shaper for modulating the generated beam, thereby creating a shaped beam, the shaper comprising at least a first section and a second section, the first section attenuating the intensity of a portion of the generated beam by a first attenuation factor and the second section attenuating the intensity of another portion of the generated beam by a second attenuation factor, and at least one detector for detecting the shaped beam after the shaped beam interacts with the object. The source may scan a beam across an object while the source and at least one detector are moving on a platform capable of highway travel or on an inspection module movable with respect to the object.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an enclosure with penetrating radiation. Radiation side-scattered from an object within the enclosure is detected, allowing the object to be located. If the object is deemed suspect, a volume element of the suspect object is further irradiated with penetrating radiation, and radiation coherently-scattered by the volume element is detected. The energy spectrum and angular distribution of the coherently-scattered radiation are used to characterize the volume element of the suspect object.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a moving vehicle and for detecting material disposed within the vehicle. The system has a source for providing a generally horizontally pointing beam of penetrating radiation of specified cross-section so as to illuminate vehicles driven alongside the source of radiation. A detector arrangement, disposed between the source of radiation and the moving vehicle detects radiation from the beam scattered by any material disposed on the underside of the moving vehicle and generates a scattered radiation signal that may be used for characterizing the material disposed within the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and methods for non-invasive x-ray inspection of an enclosure in such a manner as to reduce the ambient radiation dose to below a specified level. A beam spectrally filtered to emphasize a high-energy component of penetrating radiation is interleaved, temporally, with a beam dominated by a low-energy component. Thus both lightly loaded and heavily loaded cargo may be inspected while limiting the ambient scattered radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an enclosure. A beam of x-rays is used for scanning the enclosure and for identifying areas of suspect material. The beam is subsequently coherently scattered off suspect materials, during the course of a single pass of the enclosure past the beam, for uniquely discriminating innocuous from contraband substances. One or more energy dispersive detectors measure radiation coherently scattered by an identified volume of suspect material. Absorption effects of the energy distribution of the coherently scattered radiation are compensated by means of a fiducial reference disposed between the interrogated object and the detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a beam of penetrating radiation of specified cross section that raster scans over a two-dimensional area, using a chopper wheel rotated about two axes. The wheel has a set of apertures of which at least one is illuminated to form the beam. Rotary actuators rotate the wheel about an axis of rotational symmetry of the wheel and about an axis not parallel to the axis of rotational symmetry of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a scanned beam of penetrating radiation. A beam of particles illuminates a portion of a target, the illuminated portion comprising a focal spot having a centroid. Illumination of the target creates a beam of penetrating radiation such as x-rays. The beam of particles is swept across the target in such a manner that the centroid of the focal spot lies on a line defined by the instantaneous direction of the beam of penetrating radiation as defined, in turn, by a collimating path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical image management system and method that uses a central data management system to centrally manage the storage and transmission of electronic records containing medical images between remotely located facilities. The present invention also provides a system and method for packaging an image for secure transmission. The present invention also provides a system for tracking delivery and review of images and various attachments or augmentations to the image files. The invention also provides a system and method for providing lifetime storage of images that may be accessed by different authorized imaging centers and providers throughout the life of the patient. An image or file is packaged to be transmitted through a firewall of an image viewing location and stored in a relational database at the remote viewer. The image is delivered to a physician for ready accessibility at a remote viewer. Various files may be added to the patient's file at remote viewers.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of communication with a caller over a voice communication channel. The systems and methods allow a customer to employ a telephone to dial a telephone number that connects them with a central server. The server operates a voice recognition process that presents the customer with a computer-generated voice menu of options—for example, grocery delivery, takeout food, taxicabs, or information services. The caller would then say “food.” They would then say the location of their home after being prompted by the server system. After hearing a list of food options, the caller may select a choice by saying for example “Chinese”. The system would then present them with a list of restaurants to choose from. The caller would say the name of the restaurant of their choice, and the system would then route the call directly to the restaurant.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a vehicle moving at a grade of travel over a surface and for detecting material disposed within or on the underside of the vehicle. The system has a source for providing a generally upward or downward pointing beam of penetrating radiation of specified cross-section so as to illuminate vehicles driven above or below the source of radiation. A detector arrangement, disposed below the grade of travel, detects radiation from the beam scattered by any material disposed on the underside of the moving vehicle and generates a scattered radiation signal that may be used for characterizing the material disposed on the underside of the vehicle. Similarly, a detector arrangement disposed above the vehicle generates a scattered radiation signal that may be used for characterizing the material disposed within the vehicle.

Abstract: An x-ray tomography system measures x-rays side-scattered by material concealed within an enveloping surface. One or more x-ray beams are incident on the enveloping surface and scattered onto collimated detectors disposed in arrays parallel to the incident x-ray beams. By varying the relative orientation of the enveloping surface with respect to the x-ray beams and measuring the x-rays side-scattered by the material concealed within the enveloping surface, the shape, density, position and composition of the contents of the enveloping surface may be mapped.

Abstract: A bridge conductors for the turns of an MRI RF coil may be connected serially within a connector joint area of an inductive coil so as to selectively increase its physical size (e.g., so as to accommodate larger patient volumes to imaged therewithin). Serial capacitance may be included in at least one of the bridging conductors so as to substantially reduce the net inductive impedance of the added bridge conductors such that the standard coil RF tuning and impedance matching circuits may still operate within their normal predetermined adjustable ranges.