# US 10,481,295 B2 · Compact body scanner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,295 B2 - Document ID: US10481295B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/246,405 - Filed: 2019-01-11 - Published: 2019-07-11 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-11 - Assignees: Tek84 Inc. - Applicants: Tek84 Engineering Group, LLC - Inventors: Steven Winn Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481295B2 ## CPC - G01V 5/232: {having relative motion between the source, detector and object other than by conveyor (G01V5/226 takes precedence)} - A61B 6/4452: {the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other} - G01V 5/22: Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Imaging systems and methods are provided for detecting objects that may be hidden under clothing, ingested, inserted, or otherwise concealed on or in a person's body. An imaging assembly, e.g., X-ray source and X-ray detector, and mechanisms, e.g., a translational mechanism for vertically moving the imaging assembly, may be configured to reduce the overall form factor of such imaging systems, while still retaining an ability to perform full/complete imaging of a subject. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging system comprising: an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray beam; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the X-ray source being joined by a connecting member such that the X-ray detector and the X-ray source remain in geometric alignment for the X-ray detector to receive the X-ray beam during an imaging process; and a translational mechanism configured to vertically translate the X-ray source and the X-ray detector during the imaging process, such that the X-ray source is translated within a first vertical path having a first height range and the X-ray detector is translated within a second vertical path having a second height range, wherein the second height range exceeds the first height range, wherein the translational mechanism comprises a first cable and a second cable, the first cable attached to the X-ray detector at a first terminus and a first counterweight device at a second terminus, the second cable attached to the X-ray source at a first terminus and a second counterweight device at a second terminus, and wherein the first cable is threaded on a first pulley and the second cable is threaded on a second pulley. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray source comprises a collimating device; wherein the collimating device is configured to shape the X-ray beam into a fan-beam shaped sheet of X-rays by passing at least a portion of X-rays within the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source through an opening within the collimating device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray detector comprises a first side member and a second side member, the first side member and the second side member attached at either side of a back member at an obtuse angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray detector comprises an active area defined by at least one photodiode array configured to absorb radiant energy associated with the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the geometric alignment between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source is established by vertically translating the X-ray detector iteratively and obtaining an amount of the radiant energy absorbed by the active area of the X-ray detector, the amount of the radiant energy corresponding to a threshold amount of radiant energy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the imaging process comprises receiving image data corresponding to electrical signals obtained from optical signals generated by the at least one photodiode array of the X-ray detector in response to the X-ray detector receiving the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the translational mechanism comprises a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, the first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray source via the first cable, the second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray detector via the second cable; wherein the X-ray source is translated at a first rate and the X-ray detector is translated at a second rate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the translational mechanism is further configured to rotate the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at a downward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is lower than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the translational mechanism is further configured to rotate the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at an upward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is higher than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to receive a user input to initiate the imaging process. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: receiving a user input via a controller configured to initiate an imaging process; establishing geometric alignment between an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray beam and an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the X-ray source being joined by a connecting member such that the X-ray detector and the X-ray source remain in optical alignment for the X-ray detector to receive the X-ray beam during the imaging process; and vertically translating the X-ray source using a first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation via a first cable independently from a second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray detector via a second cable, wherein the first cable is attached to the X-ray source at a first terminus and a first counterweight device at a second terminus; and vertically translating the X-ray detector using the second linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation via the second cable independently from the first linear actuator configured to effectuate vertical translation of the X-ray source via the second cable, such that the X-ray source is translated within a first vertical path having a first height range and the X-ray detector is translated within a second vertical path having a second height range, wherein the second height range exceeds the first height range. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein establishing the geometric alignment between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source comprises iteratively translating the X-ray detector vertically. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein establishing the geometric alignment further comprises obtaining an amount of radiant energy absorbed by an active area of the X-ray detector, the active area of the X-ray detector comprising at least one photodiode array configured to respond to radiant energy associated with the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source during the imaging process. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the geometric alignment further comprises determining whether the amount of the radiant energy absorbed by the active area of the X-ray detector corresponds to a threshold amount of radiant energy. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the second cable is attached to the X-ray detector at a first terminus and a second counterweight device at a second terminus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises vertically translating the X-ray at a first rate and vertically translating the X-ray detector at a second rate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises rotating the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at a downward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is lower than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein independently and vertically translating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector comprises rotating the X-ray source toward the X-ray detector at an upward angle, wherein a vertical location of the X-ray detector within the second vertical path is higher than a vertical location of the X-ray source within the first vertical path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising generating optical signals by the X-ray detector in response to the X-ray detector receiving the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source during the imaging process. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising obtaining image data corresponding to electrical signals obtained from the optical signals generated during the imaging process.