The advantages of Dual Energy in X-ray images

From the company that brought out the first line of portable flat panel systems, Vidisco debuts the first small battery operated Portable Dual Energy X-ray Inspection System in the world offering the highest resolution (10 times more than any CCD based system) and highest dynamic range possible today (14 Bit systems offering 64 times more than CCD based systems). Vidisco portable flat panel systems provide the absolute highest quality X-ray images able to be taken today, and now Vidisco can offer Dual Energy imaging for its portable systems - highlighting organic substances such as explosives and drugs, and inorganic substances such as knives, batteries and detonators.

This revolutionary approach is well-known in the air travel industry when using large, heavy, stationary X-ray units, however this is the first time that a small field X-ray system can perform Dual Energy shots, especially without using any of the usual filters which can be problematic for field use. The Vidisco systems are set up in the same standard fashion, simply using a portable battery operated variable energy X-ray source combined with Vidisco proprietary software and hardware that allows the operator to take Dual Energy X-rays, in addition to the traditional highest quality B&W X-ray images. No cumbersome mechanics or extra equipment is required, and no repeated approaches are necessary to the X-ray target.

What is Dual Energy?

It is essentially taking multiple X-ray shots of the same target under the same conditions, however at varying energy levels. In a Dual Energy system the different energy levels are used to identify different materials. Metals and other heavier elements tend to absorb more of the low X-ray energy radiation, while the lighter materials such as organic items, tend to absorb more of the higher X-ray energy. Subsequent analysis or comparison of the images with sophisticated algorithms is then facilitated with the Vidisco software to designate organic and inorganic materials. This is done by analyzing the "Z" values (X-ray energy absorption or atomic number) for these substances, where the Vidisco software can give an accurate estimation as to which items in the ordinary black and white X-ray image are explosive materials or drugs. The program can then automatically colorize these items having them "jump out" to the operator and give him a good inclination as to the threat level or probability of illegal contraband. This is not to be confused with pseudo color, which is the mere arbitrary colorization of gray levels - Now for the first time a 100% battery operated portable X-ray system can highlight the materials that security professionals are specifically looking for in the field.

We Have Taken the Guesswork out of Analyzing X-ray Images: