Handheld X-Ray System for 3D Scatter Imaging

Abstract

Handheld imaging systems and methods for using such systems to create a 3D image of a desired object using scattered radiation are described. The handheld imaging apparatus can contain a housing, a radiation source for irradiating an object with a fan beam or cone beam, and multiple detector elements for detecting backscattered radiation from the object, where each detector element has a different view of the object and collects an image of the object that is different than the other detector elements. Alternatively, the handheld imaging apparatus can contain a housing, a radiation source for irradiating an object with a pencil beam of radiation, and a detector configured to detect backscattered radiation from the object, wherein the detector and the radiation source are oriented off-axis relative to each other. The handheld imaging apparatus are used to irradiate a desired object to obtain multiple two dimensional images of the object and then creates a three dimensional image of the object using the multiple two dimensional images. Other embodiments are described.

1 . An apparatus for imaging an object, comprising:
 a radiation source adapted to irradiate an object with a radiation beam;   a plurality of detector elements adapted to detect scattered radiation from the object, wherein each of the plurality of detector elements is arranged to view the object from a different direction, the plurality of detector elements configured to collect a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object substantially simultaneously, each of the plurality of two-dimensional images taken from a different direction; and   a processor configured to compute a three-dimensional representation of the object from the plurality of two-dimensional images.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a collimator for separating each detector element into detector segments. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the collimator comprises a grid that restricts the backscattered radiation impinging on each detector segment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each detector element has an adjustable orientation angle with respect to the plane of object. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the orientation angle is about 0 degrees so that some of the plurality of detector elements are disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the object. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing enclosing the radiation source and also enclosing an internal power source. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the collimator comprises a reverse-focusing collimator. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the collimator comprises a focusing collimator. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the collimator comprises a parallel plate collimator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation beam comprises X-rays. 
     
     
         11 . A method of imaging an object, comprising:
 providing an apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus including a radiation source and a plurality of detector elements, wherein each detector element is arranged to view of the object from a different direction;   irradiating the object with a radiation beam from the radiation source to produce scattered radiation from the object;   detecting, by the plurality of detector elements, the scattered radiation to produce a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object, the plurality of two-dimensional images taken substantially simultaneously, each of the plurality of two-dimensional images taken from a different direction; and   computing, by a processor, a three-dimensional representation of the object from the plurality of two-dimensional images.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises a collimator for separating each detector element into detector segments. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the collimator comprises a parallel plate collimator, a reverse-focusing collimator, or a focusing collimator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each detector element has an adjustable orientation angle with respect to the plane of object. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the orientation angle is about 0 degrees so that some of the plurality of detector elements are disposed on a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further includes a housing enclosing the radiation source and also enclosing an internal power source. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the radiation beam comprises X-rays. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the collimator comprises a grid that restricts the scattered radiation impinging on each detector segment. 
     
     
         19 . A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus containing a radiation source and multiple, discrete detectors;   using the apparatus to raster-scan a pencil beam of radiation across an object;   detecting scattered radiation from the object in each of the multiple detectors;   generating a plurality of two-dimensional images from the detected radiation; and   using the two dimensional images to construct a volumetric, three-dimensional image of the object.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the radiation beam comprises X-rays. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the multiple detectors and the radiation source are oriented off-axis relative to each other. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the multiple detectors collect multiple two-dimensional images at various orientations relative to the object. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the beam intensity of the scattered radiation is different between the multiple detectors. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the different beam intensities are indicative of the absorbing material of the object in the beam path of the scattered radiation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the raster-scanning is performed with multiple orientations of the apparatus relative to the object. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be handheld. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation beam is a cone beam. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be handheld, and where the irradiating step comprises holding the apparatus in a user's hands. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the radiation beam is a cone beam. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be handheld, and where the step of using the apparatus to raster-scan a pencil beam comprises holding the apparatus in a user's hands.