Mobile and free-form x-ray imaging systems and methods
AssigneeThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
InventorsOtto Z. Zhou, Jianping Lu, Pavel Chtcheprov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A three-dimensional (3D) x-ray tomographic imaging system includes an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned vehicle, which can be aerial or otherwise configured for locomotion, and an x-ray detector. A vehicle controller is configured to be operated by an operator, and an optical camera is mounted to the first unmanned vehicle at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source, and an optical pattern is fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector. The x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object, while the x-ray source is rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions.
Claims22
A three-dimensional x-ray tomography imaging system, comprising:
- an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- an x-ray detector;
- a vehicle controller configured to be operated by an operator;
- an optical camera mounted to the first UAV at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source;
- an optical pattern fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector;
- and
- an electronic controller configured for controlling the imaging system;
- wherein the vehicle controller is configured to transmit a sign to identify an object to be imaged,
- wherein the x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object,
- wherein the x-ray source is configured to be rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions, and
- wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are configured to be activated when the x-ray source is at each of the one or more imaging positions, so that x-ray projection images of the object are captured by the x-ray detector.
A method of generating at least one three-dimensional (3D) image of an object from a plurality of x-ray images of the object, the method comprising:
- mounting an x-ray source to a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- attaching an optical camera to the first UAV at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source;
- identifying a location of the object;
- positioning an x-ray detector and an optical pattern associated with the x-ray detector on a first side of the object;
- moving the first UAV to a second side of the object, wherein the second side of the object is at least substantially diametrically opposite the first side of the object;
- pointing the optical camera so the optical pattern is in a field of vision of the optical camera;
- capturing an optical image and an x-ray projection image when first UAV is stationary;
- rotating the first UAV around the object to a plurality of imaging positions around the object;
- capturing further optical images and x-ray projection images at the plurality of imaging positions around the object, so that a plurality of optical images and a plurality of x-ray projection images are generated;
- applying geometric image correction to the x-ray projection images by using the optical images;
- and
- reconstructing the x-ray projection images to create a 3D image of the object.
A three-dimensional x-ray tomography imaging system, comprising:
- an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned vehicle (UV);
- an x-ray detector;
- a vehicle controller configured to be operated by an operator;
- an optical camera mounted to the first UV at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source;
- an optical pattern fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector;
- and
- an electronic controller configured for controlling the imaging system;
- wherein the vehicle controller is configured to transmit a sign to identify an object to be imaged,
- wherein the x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object,
- wherein the x-ray source is configured to be rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions, and
- wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are configured to be activated when the x-ray source is at each of the one or more imaging positions, so that x-ray projection images of the object are captured by the x-ray detector.
A method of generating at least one three-dimensional (3D) image of an object from a plurality of x-ray images of the object, the method comprising:
- mounting an x-ray source to a first unmanned vehicle (UV);
- attaching an optical camera to the first UV at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source;
- identifying a location of the object;
- positioning an x-ray detector and an optical pattern associated with the x-ray detector on a first side of the object;
- moving the first UV to a second side of the object, wherein the second side of the object is at least substantially diametrically opposite the first side of the object;
- pointing the optical camera so the optical pattern is in a field of vision of the optical camera;
- capturing an optical image and an x-ray projection image when first UV is stationary;
- rotating the first UV around the object to a plurality of imaging positions around the object;
- capturing further optical images and x-ray projection images at the plurality of imaging positions around the object, so that a plurality of optical images and a plurality of x-ray projection images are generated;
- applying geometric image correction to the x-ray projection images by using the optical images;
- and
- reconstructing the x-ray projection images to create a 3D image of the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.