Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object at first and second radiation energies, detecting radiation at the first and second energies, and calculating a function of the radiation detected at the first and second energies. The method further comprises calculating at least one second function based, at least in part, on at least some of the first functions, and determining whether the object at least potentially contains material in a class of materials based, at least in part, on the second function. The class of materials may be materials having an atomic number greater than the predetermined atomic number, for example. The second function may be compared to a criterion, which may be a threshold, for example. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital x-ray phase contrast soft tissue imaging and mammography system offers significant cancer detection sensitivity and a significant improvement in accurate detection and interpretation of mammograms. In addition, the proposed system produces digital mammograms and thus has the advantages of digital mammography. The system overcomes the limitation of the current approaches to mammography using phase contrast effects and offers substantially higher performance than the current mammography used in hospitals and clinics. The proposed system uses the phase contrast imaging, in a breast and other soft tissue structures, instead of absorption contrast employed in the current x-ray mammography, allowing detection of smaller disease structures with substantial reduction in radiation dose.

Abstract: A modulated x-ray system and method provide various applications to increase medical diagnoses and treatment as well as non-medical scenarios. At low energy levels, it is used as a sophisticated medical diagnosis tool, localizing and imaging a variety of biological systems and conditions for further characterization, rather than for destruction. As a therapeutic device, it is used for directed treatment of infectious diseases, treatment of general medical diseases such as atherosclerosis and autoimmune diseases, and genetic therapy. In one embodiment, eliminating unwanted tissue anywhere in the body, effectively allows non-invasive surgery. In another embodiment, selective destruction/activation of specific cells allows for regeneration of cells and tissues, such as spinal cord regeneration.

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting the presence of special nuclear materials in a suspect container. The system and its method include irradiating the suspect container with a beam of neutrons, so as to induce a thermal fission in a portion of the special nuclear materials, detecting the gamma rays that are emitted from the fission products formed by the thermal fission, to produce a detector signal, comparing the detector signal with a threshold value to form a comparison, and detecting the presence of the special nuclear materials using the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method suitable for detecting radiation in a flowing liquid, such as a water flowing in a water supply system. The system includes a closed tubular-shaped container having a hollow interior that contains an inert gas at an elevated pressure, and a tubular-shaped housing surrounding the container. The container has a wall structure comprising a cathode, and has an inner electrical element within its hollow interior that defines an anode along a longitudinal axis of the container. The housing has an inlet and an outlet at oppositely-disposed ends thereof, and the container and housing cooperate to define a flow passage generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The system detects signals generated by the container in response to electrons being released within the container as a result of atoms of the inert gas being ionized by gamma ray radiation and then traveling to the anode.

Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided with a minimum weight of shielding material. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.

Abstract: A method for processing transmission data from neutron and gamma-ray radiation to form an image, the neutron and gamma-ray radiation having traversed through an object and representing a measure of neutron attenuation and gamma-ray attenuation introduced by the object, comprising forming a neutron mass attenuation matrix ‘n’ and gamma-ray mass attenuation matrix ‘g’ from the measure of neutron attenuation and gamma-ray attenuation respectively; calculating a composition matrix R whose elements Rij are defined as a function of elements nij from ‘n’ and the corresponding elements gij from ‘g’, R representing an average composition of material between a source which generated the radiation and a point (i,j); calculating a density matrix X whose elements Xij are defined as a function of the elements nij from ‘n’ and the corresponding elements gij from ‘g’, X representing an approximate amount of material between the radiation source and the point (i,j); calculating a quality matrix Q as a function of the elements

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the bulk density of a fluid within a vessel comprises a radiation source and detector and at least one titanium dip tube penetrating the wall of the vessel to provide a path for radiation from the source to the detector through the vessel via the dip tube. The apparatus facilitates the use of a low energy radiation source for measuring the density of e.g. a gas stream in a thick-walled pressure-resistant vessel.

Abstract: Methods for correcting a bone density value for an effect of lead are disclosed. One method includes determining an apparent bone density in a patient; applying a correction factor to the apparent bone density, the correction factor being based on a blood lead level; and deriving a corrected bone density value for the patient.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for liquid safety-detection with a radiation source relate to a radiation detecting technology.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided that enables measurement and determination of the relative material composition of ash content in a paper product. While materials in ash content, e.g., CaCaO3, Clay, and TiO2, have distinct x-ray absorption spectrum, by varying an X-ray gauge rapidly, measuring the absorption at each energy level and, comparing this to tables of fundamental physical parameters, the relative fractions of materials in ash content, e.g., CaCaO3, Clay, and TiO2, can be extracted. The relative weights of other constituent materials found in web or sheet paper products are additionally determinable.

Abstract: A method for classifying an unknown substance is provided, The method includes classifying the unknown substance based on simultaneously processing a plurality of parameters determined from a plurality of signals that are measured by at least one detector. The at least one detector is located within a gantry of an imaging system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the density and phase fractions of well services fluids is shown including an x-ray generator, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. Radiation is passed through the sample cell and fluid and the attenuated radiation signal is used to evaluate the fluid. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector measures a filtered radiation signal and controls the acceleration voltage and/or beam current of the x-ray generator using this information. The apparatus may be permanently affixed for long term monitoring or temporarily clamped on to a pipe in production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting compositional aspects such as sand, water, wax deposits or asphaltene deposits of a fluid in a petroleum pipeline is disclosed. A method for managing flow of a fluid in a petroleum pipeline is also disclosed. X-rays are transmitted through the petroleum pipeline and detected to generate a density gradient profile which is preferably a function of time and space. Characteristics of the density gradient profile and correlated with characteristics of the compositional aspects of interest. The method and apparatus preferably provides presence and relative amount of the compositional aspects in real-time or near real-time such that corrective action can be taken is such aspects are not in acceptable ranges.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object at first and second radiation energies, detecting radiation at the first and second energies, and calculating a function of the radiation detected at the first and second energies, for corresponding pixels. A pixel is a projection of radiation through the object onto the detector. The first functions of a plurality of pixels are grouped and a second function of the group is analyzed to determine whether the object at least potentially contains material having an atomic number greater than the predetermined atomic number. The second function may be compared to a third function, which may be a threshold having a value based, at least in part, on material having a predetermined atomic number. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring the position of radioactive materials in vehicles relates to a technical field of monitoring of radioactive materials.

Abstract: An energy discrimination radiography system includes at least one radiation source configured to alternately irradiate a component with radiation characterized by at least two energy spectra, where the component has a number of constituents. At least one radiation detector is configured to receive radiation passing through the component and a computer is operationally coupled to the detector. The computer is configured to receive data corresponding to each of the energy spectra for a scan of the component, process the data to generate a multi-energy data set, and decompose the multi-energy data set to generate material characterization images in substantially real time. A method for inspecting the component includes irradiating the component, receiving a data stream of energy discriminated data, processing the energy discriminated data, to generate a multi-energy data set, and decomposing the multi-energy data set, to generate material characterization images in substantially real time.

Abstract: Compact, low-power-consuming systems and methods for exposing samples to high-energy radiation, for example, for exposing samples to x-rays for implementing x-ray absorption near edge analysis (XANES). The systems and methods include a low-power-consuming radiation source, such as an x-ray tube; one or more tunable crystal optics for directing and varying the energy of the radiation onto a sample under analysis; and a radiation detecting device, such as an x-ray detector, for detecting radiation emitted by the sample. The one or more tunable crystal optics may be doubly-curved crystal optics. The components of the system may be arranged in a collinear fashion. The disclosed systems and methods are particularly applicable to XANES analysis, for example, XANES analysis of the chemical state of chromium or another transition metal in biological processes.

Abstract: A method for identifying hazardous substances in a printed wiring assembly having a plurality of discrete components, using micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. A micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (?-XRF) and/or X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) spectroscopy are used as detecting analyzers, to identify materials of concern in an electronic device. The device or assembly to be examined is analyzed by moving it in the X, Y, and Z directions under a probe in response to information in a reference database, to determine elemental composition at selected locations on the assembly, the probe positioned at an optimum analytical distance from each selected location for analysis. The determined elemental composition at each selected location is then correlated to the reference database, and the detected elements are assigned to the various components in the assembly.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for scanning food products to determine at least one property of the food product. In one embodiment, two sources of the food product, such as a low fat and a high fat source, controllably feed into a grinder. The grinder feeds into an x-ray analysis apparatus which is adapted to determine the desired property of the food product by x-ray analysis. A controller then forms a feedback loop which controls the relative amount of food product being feed from each of the food product sources.

Abstract: The functional dependency of a first X-ray absorption value of density and atomic number is determined in the instance of a first X-ray spectrum, and at least the functional dependency of a second X-ray absorption value of density and atomic number is determined in the instance of a second X-ray spectrum. Based on a recording of a first distribution of X-ray absorption values of the object to be examined in the instance of a first X-ray spectrum, and on a recording of at least one second distribution of X-ray absorption values of the object to be examined in the instance of a second X-ray spectrum, the values for density and atomic number are determined by comparing the functional dependency of a first X-ray absorption value of the first distribution of X-ray absorption values with the functional dependency(ies) of the X-ray absorption values, which are assigned to the first X-ray absorption value, of the second and/or other distributions of X-ray absorption values.

Abstract: A monolithic detector uses a grid to block x-rays from inter-pixel regions such as are believed to cause electrical noise in the pixel signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for x-ray examination of an object where two categories of materials are taken into consideration, comprising: the use of broad spectrum x-rays; measurements of the x-rays by bands of the spectrum; expressions ({circumflex over (M)}) of thicknesses or masses of the two categories of materials passed through by the x-rays, the expressions ({circumflex over (M)}) being functions of at least two of the measurements (mesk) and coefficients (A); and applying a selection criterion from among the expressions ({circumflex over (M)}) to deduce from this an expression (final {circumflex over (M)}) considered true; characterized in that the selection criterion comprises a combination (f) of the expressions with weighting factors (a), and a calculation of the weighting factors such that the combination has minimal variation according to variations of the measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to continuously determining the fat content of meat. A conveyor belt is used on which the pieces of meat to be examined are advanced past a radiation source serving as a fat analyzing means. The attenuation of an X-ray beam emitted from the radiation source is measured by a detector to determine the fat content. A weighing device continuously determines the weight of the quantity of meat located on the conveyor belt at the time of the measurement. This also makes it possible to calculate the absolute fat content. The invention also relates to a method for automatically setting a defined fat content in a mixer. The examined meat is transferred from the conveyor belt and into the mixer. The accumulated fat content in the mixer is calculated, compared with a set value, and the conveyor belt is loaded with lean or fatty meat according to the result of this calculation.

Abstract: A method for detecting nuclear species in a sample by adaptive scanning using nuclear resonance fluorescence may comprise illuminating the target sample with photons from a source; detecting a signal in an energy channel; determining a scan evaluation parameter using the signal detected; determining whether the scan evaluation parameter meets a detection efficiency criterion; adjusting one or more system parameters such that the scan evaluation parameter meets the detection efficiency criterion; and comparing the signal in an energy channel to a predetermined species detection criterion to identify a species detection event. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons scattered from the target sample. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons transmitted through the target sample and scattered from at least one reference scatterer.

Abstract: A method for detecting and measuring regions of a secondary material deposited onto a moving substrate. The method employs an x-ray source for directing an x-ray beam at the moving substrate, and an x-ray detector to detect an amount of x-ray energy transmitted by the moving sheet of material. Areas of bare substrate will allow for different amounts of x-ray transmission than areas of the substrate containing the secondary material. These differences in transmission and/or absorption can be used to detect the location of a region of secondary material and to determine if it falls within an acceptable range. According to one particular embodiment of the present invention, the method can be used to analyze burn characteristic modifying bands of a secondary material intermittently and repeatedly deposited to a moving web of smoking article paper.

Abstract: A user-friendly, inexpensive radiation image radiographing apparatus capable of easily switching between absorption contrast image radiography and phase contrast image radiography. The radiation image radiographing apparatus has: a radiation source; a subject platform for supporting a subject so as to face the subject to the radiation source; and a plurality of supporting platforms for supporting a radiation image information detecting member at a side opposite to the radiation source with respect to the subject platform, the radiation image information detecting member for detecting radiation image information based on radiation transmitted through the subject, wherein distances between the plurality of supporting platforms and the radiation source are different from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.

Abstract: An operator shielded X-ray imaging system has sufficiently low mass (less than 300 kg) and is compact enough to enable portability by reducing operator shielding requirements to a minimum shielded volume. The resultant shielded volume may require a relatively small mass of shielding in addition to the already integrally shielded X-ray source, intensifier, and detector. The system is suitable for portable imaging of well cores at remotely located well drilling sites. The system accommodates either small samples, or small cross-sectioned objects of unlimited length. By rotating samples relative to the imaging device, the information required for computer aided tomographic reconstruction may be obtained. By further translating the samples relative to the imaging system, fully three dimensional (3D) tomographic reconstructions may be obtained of samples having arbitrary length.

Abstract: A method is proposed for the spatially-resolved determination of the concentration of n elements and/or element combinations in an object to be examined that includes these elements and/or element combinations. In the method, use is made of an X-ray installation to record a number of digital X-ray images of at least one region of the object to be examined with the aid of m?n different spectral distributions of the X-radiation S(E) and/or of the detector sensitivity D(E), in order to obtain m attenuation values for each pixel representing the same location in the X-ray images. The concentrations of the n elements and/or element combinations are then calculated for at least one pixel from the respective m attenuation values while taking account of known spectral absorption spectra of the n elements and/or element combinations and of the m different spectral distributions of the X-radiation and/or of the detector sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and a device are proposed for determining the type of fluid in a fluid mass in an object. X-ray attenuation data is supplied from one or a plurality of X-ray recordings of an object area including the fluid mass in the object, which were acquired with at least two different X-ray spectra or detector weightings. The X-ray attenuation data is used to determine values for effective atomic number and density for the fluid mass and average these to obtain a mean value for effective atomic number and density for the fluid mass. Comparison data is also supplied, which indicates fluctuation ranges for combinations of effective atomic number and density for different types of fluid. The mean values for effective atomic number and density of the fluid mass are compared with the comparison data to determine the fluctuation range and thereby the type of fluid, into which the two mean values fall.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems for determining matter properties are described.

Abstract: A method for analyzing materials in an object includes acquiring x-ray projection data of the object at high energy and at low energy for a plurality of views. The acquired x-ray projection data is utilized in a material decomposition to determine material densities at each pixel for two selected basis materials. A composition of an object at each pixel is determined utilizing a determined mapping of material density regions for the two selected basis materials. An image indicative of the composition of the object is displayed utilizing the determined composition.

Abstract: A conveying section conveys an inspected object so as to cross the X-rays irradiated from an X-ray generating section. A first sensor module is disposed along a transmitting direction of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and receives one portion of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and outputs a first electric signal corresponding to a first X-ray energy amount. A second sensor module receives a remaining portion of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and outputs a second electric signal corresponding to a second X-ray energy amount different from the first X-ray energy amount. Presence/absence of a foreign material mixed in the inspected object can be detected based on the first and second electric signals, which are output from the first and second sensor modules to the same inspected object at substantially the same detection time.

Abstract: There is disclosed an X-ray analyzer capable of precisely measuring a trace amount of cadmium contained in plastic. The analyzer has an X-ray filter assembly between an X-ray tube having an Rh target and a plastic sample. The filter assembly consists of first, second, and third X-ray filters which are made of zirconium, copper, and molybdenum, respectively. The first through third X-ray filters have thicknesses of about 100 ?m, 200 ?m, and 40 ?m, respectively.

Abstract: A method is provided to automatically determine a structure cancelled image in a dual energy decomposition system. A high energy and a low energy level image of internal anatomy formed of at least first and second types of structure are acquired. A characteristic mask is computed using a gradient mask and a localization mask. A first cancellation parameter is evaluated against the characteristic mask, and a second cancellation parameter is computed based upon the first cancellation parameter. The first or second cancellation parameter is selected from a range in a look-up table determined by an effective kVp used to acquire the high level image and an effective kVp used to acquire the low level image. An image of soft structure and an image of hard structure are obtained from the first and second energy level images according to a cancellation equation using the first and second cancellation parameters.

Abstract: In order to correlate information of a core sample taken from a borehole with information derived from an original position of the core sample in the borehole, the core is scanned using computed tomography (CT) to generate core slices having first depths assignable thereto based upon a drilling record. The core slices are concerted to first bulk density data using either region-of-interest statistics or selective histogram statistics, which is then compared to second bulk density data obtained from logging at respective second depths to obtain a good match between the first and second depths.

Abstract: A cotton sample is subjected to noninvasive x-ray microtomographic image analysis in order to recognize cotton contaminants in the cotton sample. The cotton contaminants are detected and classified using an x-ray microtomographic system. Once the cotton contaminants in the cotton sample are detected and classified, the cotton sample may be graded based on the type and amount of cotton contaminants present.

Abstract: A system and method to inspect a component is disclosed. The system to inspect a component may include an x-ray source to direct an x-ray beam through the component and an x-ray detector to detect the x-ray beam after passing through the component. A processor may be included to transform coordinates on an x-ray detection panel of the x-ray detector that detect any defects to a digital representation of locations on the component of any defects.

Abstract: Many parts of the world have anti personnel (AP) landmines (APLs) buried in their earth, which pose a great deal not only to fighting forces, but also to civilians. For any imaging system, detection of APLs is non trivial since APLs are typically relatively small, compact objects that are buried in a similarly dense medium, such as earth. Improved explosive device (IED) detection may prove to have more potential than detection of APLs in view of the increasing worldwide terrorist activity. A portable APL or IED detection apparatus is thus proposed that utilized a coded aperture mask as well as a radiation source in order to detect backscatter radiation from a target area for use in assessing whether the target area includes an APL or an IED. The coded aperture mask receives the backscatter radiation and forms an image on a detector array, this formed image is deconvolved with a response matrix of the coded aperture mask in order to form a visual representation of the target area.

Abstract: A method is for calibration of a transformation of at least two X-ray attenuation values (which are determined using different X-ray spectra) for a material, to a value for the density and a value for the atomic number of the material. A first distribution is recorded of first X-ray attenuation values obtained from a calibration phantom using a first X-ray spectrum, and a second distribution is recorded of second X-ray attenuation values obtained from the calibration phantom using a second X-ray spectrum. The recorded X-ray attenuation values are used to produce a density function and to produce an atomic number function. A value for the density and for the atomic number of the calibration sample is determined with the aid of the density function and the atomic number function, and a discrepancy between the determined values and the actual density and atomic number of the calibration sample is found.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for characterizing voids in test samples. An x-ray emission inducer scans a target such as a via on a test sample. A metallization or thin film layer emits x-rays as a result of the scan. The x-ray emission intensity can be measured and compared against a control measurement. The information obtained can be used to characterize a void in the scan target.

Abstract: A remote sensing device for detecting materials of varying atomic numbers and systems and methods relating thereto. A system for identifying a material includes a photon beam flux monitor for resolving a high-energy beam. A method for identifying a material includes casting an incident photon beam on the material and detecting an emerging photon beam with an array of fission-fragment detectors, a first set of scintillator paddles, and a second set of scintillator paddles.

Abstract: A method for estimating a material composition of an imaged object using an imaging system. The imaging system includes a radiation source and a digital detector. The method also includes scanning a plurality of calibration phantoms with varying material composition to acquire a plurality of reference calibration images, estimating an attenuation coefficient thickness product for each pixel in the reference calibration images, and estimating a material composition of a region of interest using the estimated pixelwise coefficient thickness product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation device that includes a device for retaining therein the body part in a uniform position. In addition, at least two reference materials that have attenuation characteristics are used and retained in the retaining device. The reference materials are being positioned for the comparative determination during a simultaneous irradiation of the body part and the reference materials. The attenuation characteristics of the reference materials are selected in correspondence to the attenuation characteristics of the body materials in the body part. A radiation device for simultaneously irradiating the body part and the reference materials is used to create attenuated beams. A detector is used to detect the attenuated beams as attenuated values. A calculating device is included for calculating the proportion of the body materials that define a particular body part of interest based on the attenuated values of the materials and the body part.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in situ measurements of at least one property of a liquid contained within a vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to achieve an X-ray irradiation region of arbitrary size without enlarging the area of a collimator section. An X-ray analyzer comprises an X-ray generating section for generating primary X-rays, an X-ray detection section for detecting secondary X-rays from a sample, and a collimator section for restricting primary X-rays irradiated to the sample, the collimator section being provided with two X-ray shields having at least one L-shaped edge, the two X-ray shields being aligned so as to form a rectangular or square opening. Mechanisms are provided for moving the two X-ray shields so that the shape and size of the X-ray irradiation region can be changed.

Abstract: Properties of a medium of food or feed, such as the fat content of meat, are determined by the use of dual X-ray absorptiometry with dual energy levels. Substantially, the entire medium is scanned by X-ray beams, and the X-rays passing through the medium are detected for a plurality of areas (pixels) of the medium. For each area, values Alow and Ahigh, representing absorption in the area of the medium at low and high energy levels are calculated. A plurality of values being products of the type Alown*Ahighm are generated and used for predicting the properties of the medium in this area. Thereby the accuracy of the property determination is improved considerably.

Abstract: A meat inspection device uses measurements at two x-ray energies to detect bone in meat samples by determining a mass ratio of bone to meat such as would provide a photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering consistent with the attenuation of the x-rays at the two energies. A relative proportion at different locations can be used to develop an image of the bone. The image can be used to determine whether a product has an unacceptable composition of bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging features of an object constructed from a material that includes a first element in the presence of features constructed from a material that includes a second element. The apparatus utilizes a filtered x-ray spectrum to image the object. The filtered x-ray spectrum is generated from a polychromatic x-ray source having energies below a maximum energy. The maximum energy is greater than a dominant absorption edge of the first element. The filter includes a filter element having a dominant absorption edge greater than or equal to a dominant absorption edge of the second element. The filter removes x-rays that would otherwise be absorbed by the second element, thereby improving the relative contrast of images based on x-ray absorption of the first element.