Abstract: Embodiments of an Array CT scanning system for x-ray scanning objects (e.g., scanning airline baggage, packages, and cargo) can include a conveyor configured to transport baggage through a tunnel, a bottom mounted x-ray source configured to provide five fan beams through the tunnel, a side mounted x-ray source disposed at a height higher than the conveyor and configured to provide a fan beam through the tunnel, and a plurality of detectors disposed across the arcs of each of the fan beams. An image processing system can be configured to provide 3D type images of a scanned bag as a function of the information received from the detectors. The images can be derived through interpolation of the scan data. An operator can manipulate the image data and partially rotate the bag to discern objects located within. A side tray is provided to allow an operator to remove a suspect bag from an operational flow of bags. Image information can be stored for subsequent review.

Abstract: A computed tomography scanner includes a housing, a conveyor disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to move an object to be scanned through the housing along a direction of travel, a gantry connected to the housing and configured to receive the object to be scanned, an x-ray source attached to the gantry and configured to provide an x-ray beam that extends along a length in the direction of travel, and detector arrays attached to the gantry and configured and disposed to receive and detect x-rays from the x-ray source, the detector arrays being displaced relative to each other in the direction of travel an array spacing distance such that a geometric efficiency of the arrays is less than about 80%.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a CT scanner system for use in baggage screening at security checkpoints.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for analyzing an object includes an X-ray prescanner that performs a prescan of the object to determine prescan information about the object. Then, a CT scanner performs a CT scan on at least one plane of the object based on the prescan information to determine CT information. In one embodiment, if the CT scan of the object includes or is in the vicinity of metal, then metal artifact correction of a reconstructed image from the CT scan is performed based on the prescan information.

Abstract: A multiview X-ray based inspection system detects contraband such as explosives, weapons, drugs and money in packages such as baggage. Each bag moves through at least three stationary, fan-shaped beams of x-rays that are in parallel planes spaced from each other in the direction of bag travel, to produce three projection views of the bag taken from different angles. These projection views are processed to extract two-dimensional outlines of likely individual objects in the bag, and the two-dimensional outlines are matched between different projection views to extract three-dimensional outlines of likely objects in the bag. The system uses these three-dimensional outlines to estimate effective atomic numbers and mass densities of material in these objects, and then to determine the presence of likely contraband in the baggage by testing these estimates against windows in a multi-dimensional space in which one dimension is effective atomic number and another is mass density.