Digital X-ray
Portable Digital X-ray systems have become a mainstream tool for bomb squads in recent years. With major large events coming up (2012 Olympics in UK, 2014 football World Cup in Brazil and the Winter Olympics in Russia just to name a few), the portable digital radiography systems market is on the move! Eliyahu Dayan & Ofra Kleinberger explore the hottest X-ray technology out there.
The security measures taken for securing major events, like the royal wedding of HRM Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton in April 2011 or the upcoming Olympic Games in London in 2012, are of huge proportions. The equipment used is varied and security units need to stay updated due to the fact that cutting-edge technological developments often serve to facilitate the discreet fulfillment of their tasks. In events of this size it is important for security teams to combine advanced means with low visibility, thus achieving maximum public security with minimal awareness of the security measures taken for its protection.
The purpose of the EOD/IED team operating at such large events is to acquire the ability to deal with any detected threat quickly. A key product to achieve this aim is a portable X-ray system packed in a single backpack along with its accessories, which can also serve as an operational platform in the field. This system enables the bomb tech to be discreetly located at the scene along with such equipment where he can remain relatively inconspicuous while inactive, but he is instantly available to deal with any actual on-site threat.
A digital X-ray equipment review conducted by the US military, which was recently published on the web (X-ray test report #060309 from the US army corps of engineers), defined several factors as important in a desired portable digital X-ray inspection system: Most important were portability, battery life, field readiness, fast and easy set-up, penetration capabilities, operating efficiency and operator safety. Other qualities named were homogeny in images combined with high resolution and high-image quality, as well as user-friendly software with many advanced features. All these attributes can be grouped into five major factors that should be considered when researching which of the many systems available is the best investment. These five factors are reviewed below in detail:
True mobility – not every system that looks portable is really field worthy. Your first question should be: Is the system really mobile? Can the system actually be carried on foot to any location, such as an underground station or even rough terrain (like Afghanistan or Iraq)? Or perhaps a large system in a vehicle can adequately meet your needs?
The system must be light enough to be trekked on foot by a single individual (just think of a bomb tech needing to make his way in a stadium full of people). It must be packed in one casing that also includes a working platform, allowing for convenient work with a ruggedized computer in field conditions. The system must be able to operate on batteries for extended periods of time, thus eliminating the need to change a battery down range during a potentially dangerous inspection. The system must allow for conducting the entire inspection from a safe distance.
Wireless communication provides greater set-up flexibility, thus increasing field worthiness. The transition from film to digital X-ray first enabled integration with robots. A digital X-ray system that can be integrated to work in full compatibility with an ROV enables greater portability and increased versatility when combating terrorist threats.
Digital X-ray flat panel based systems have introduced a new level of X-ray visibility. This enhanced visibility has been achieved due to the ability of the amorphous Silicon (a-Si) flat panel to detect the X-rays that hit it following the penetration of the suspect object. This technology enables the X-ray of hard-to-penetrate objects (like improvised EOD shells, IEDs located in thick steel containers, full car petrol tanks etc.), because the panel is capable of detecting the few X-rays that go through. While the image will be relatively dark (as very little X-ray has been detected), it will still display valuable information; several easy-to-use software enhancement tools enable the user to “open up" the dark image and extract details. Another aspect of this characteristic is that when using an a-Si flat panel system for X-ray inspection, the X-ray dose (meaning the actual energy level of the X-ray beam) can be decreased considerably and exposure time can be shortened. This means less exposure of the bomb techs and the public to X-ray and greater overall safety.
Portable Digital X-ray systems have become a mainstream tool for bomb squads in recent years. With major large events coming up (2012 Olympics in UK, 2014 football World Cup in Brazil and the Winter Olympics in Russia just to name a few), the portable digital radiography systems market is on the move! Eliyahu Dayan & Ofra Kleinberger explore the hottest X-ray technology out there.
The security measures taken for securing major events, like the royal wedding of HRM Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton in April 2011 or the upcoming Olympic Games in London in 2012, are of huge proportions. The equipment used is varied and security units need to stay updated due to the fact that cutting-edge technological developments often serve to facilitate the discreet fulfillment of their tasks. In events of this size it is important for security teams to combine advanced means with low visibility, thus achieving maximum public security with minimal awareness of the security measures taken for its protection.
The purpose of the EOD/IED team operating at such large events is to acquire the ability to deal with any detected threat quickly. A key product to achieve this aim is a portable X-ray system packed in a single backpack along with its accessories, which can also serve as an operational platform in the field. This system enables the bomb tech to be discreetly located at the scene along with such equipment where he can remain relatively inconspicuous while inactive, but he is instantly available to deal with any actual on-site threat.
A digital X-ray equipment review conducted by the US military, which was recently published on the web (X-ray test report #060309 from the US army corps of engineers), defined several factors as important in a desired portable digital X-ray inspection system: Most important were portability, battery life, field readiness, fast and easy set-up, penetration capabilities, operating efficiency and operator safety. Other qualities named were homogeny in images combined with high resolution and high-image quality, as well as user-friendly software with many advanced features. All these attributes can be grouped into five major factors that should be considered when researching which of the many systems available is the best investment. These five factors are reviewed below in detail:
True mobility – not every system that looks portable is really field worthy. Your first question should be: Is the system really mobile? Can the system actually be carried on foot to any location, such as an underground station or even rough terrain (like Afghanistan or Iraq)? Or perhaps a large system in a vehicle can adequately meet your needs?
The system must be light enough to be trekked on foot by a single individual (just think of a bomb tech needing to make his way in a stadium full of people). It must be packed in one casing that also includes a working platform, allowing for convenient work with a ruggedized computer in field conditions. The system must be able to operate on batteries for extended periods of time, thus eliminating the need to change a battery down range during a potentially dangerous inspection. The system must allow for conducting the entire inspection from a safe distance.
Wireless communication provides greater set-up flexibility, thus increasing field worthiness. The transition from film to digital X-ray first enabled integration with robots. A digital X-ray system that can be integrated to work in full compatibility with an ROV enables greater portability and increased versatility when combating terrorist threats.
Digital X-ray flat panel based systems have introduced a new level of X-ray visibility. This enhanced visibility has been achieved due to the ability of the amorphous Silicon (a-Si) flat panel to detect the X-rays that hit it following the penetration of the suspect object. This technology enables the X-ray of hard-to-penetrate objects (like improvised EOD shells, IEDs located in thick steel containers, full car petrol tanks etc.), because the panel is capable of detecting the few X-rays that go through. While the image will be relatively dark (as very little X-ray has been detected), it will still display valuable information; several easy-to-use software enhancement tools enable the user to “open up" the dark image and extract details. Another aspect of this characteristic is that when using an a-Si flat panel system for X-ray inspection, the X-ray dose (meaning the actual energy level of the X-ray beam) can be decreased considerably and exposure time can be shortened. This means less exposure of the bomb techs and the public to X-ray and greater overall safety.
Portable Digital X-ray systems have become a mainstream tool for bomb squads in recent years. With major large events coming up (2012 Olympics in UK, 2014 football World Cup in Brazil and the Winter Olympics in Russia just to name a few), the portable digital radiography systems market is on the move! Eliyahu Dayan & Ofra Kleinberger explore the hottest X-ray technology out there.
The security measures taken for securing major events, like the royal wedding of HRM Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton in April 2011 or the upcoming Olympic Games in London in 2012, are of huge proportions. The equipment used is varied and security units need to stay updated due to the fact that cutting-edge technological developments often serve to facilitate the discreet fulfillment of their tasks. In events of this size it is important for security teams to combine advanced means with low visibility, thus achieving maximum public security with minimal awareness of the security measures taken for its protection.
The purpose of the EOD/IED team operating at such large events is to acquire the ability to deal with any detected threat quickly. A key product to achieve this aim is a portable X-ray system packed in a single backpack along with its accessories, which can also serve as an operational platform in the field. This system enables the bomb tech to be discreetly located at the scene along with such equipment where he can remain relatively inconspicuous while inactive, but he is instantly available to deal with any actual on-site threat.
A digital X-ray equipment review conducted by the US military, which was recently published on the web (X-ray test report #060309 from the US army corps of engineers), defined several factors as important in a desired portable digital X-ray inspection system: Most important were portability, battery life, field readiness, fast and easy set-up, penetration capabilities, operating efficiency and operator safety. Other qualities named were homogeny in images combined with high resolution and high-image quality, as well as user-friendly software with many advanced features. All these attributes can be grouped into five major factors that should be considered when researching which of the many systems available is the best investment. These five factors are reviewed below in detail:
True mobility – not every system that looks portable is really field worthy. Your first question should be: Is the system really mobile? Can the system actually be carried on foot to any location, such as an underground station or even rough terrain (like Afghanistan or Iraq)? Or perhaps a large system in a vehicle can adequately meet your needs?
The system must be light enough to be trekked on foot by a single individual (just think of a bomb tech needing to make his way in a stadium full of people). It must be packed in one casing that also includes a working platform, allowing for convenient work with a ruggedized computer in field conditions. The system must be able to operate on batteries for extended periods of time, thus eliminating the need to change a battery down range during a potentially dangerous inspection. The system must allow for conducting the entire inspection from a safe distance.
Wireless communication provides greater set-up flexibility, thus increasing field worthiness. The transition from film to digital X-ray first enabled integration with robots. A digital X-ray system that can be integrated to work in full compatibility with an ROV enables greater portability and increased versatility when combating terrorist threats.
Digital X-ray flat panel based systems have introduced a new level of X-ray visibility. This enhanced visibility has been achieved due to the ability of the amorphous Silicon (a-Si) flat panel to detect the X-rays that hit it following the penetration of the suspect object. This technology enables the X-ray of hard-to-penetrate objects (like improvised EOD shells, IEDs located in thick steel containers, full car petrol tanks etc.), because the panel is capable of detecting the few X-rays that go through. While the image will be relatively dark (as very little X-ray has been detected), it will still display valuable information; several easy-to-use software enhancement tools enable the user to “open up" the dark image and extract details. Another aspect of this characteristic is that when using an a-Si flat panel system for X-ray inspection, the X-ray dose (meaning the actual energy level of the X-ray beam) can be decreased considerably and exposure time can be shortened. This means less exposure of the bomb techs and the public to X-ray and greater overall safety.