Neuromorphic radiography and x-ray computed tomography system and methods

Description (excerpt)

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/671,840 filed Jul. 16, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to radiography systems and, more particularly, to neuromorphic radiography and x-ray computed tomography systems and methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Current tomography systems may utilize conventional pixel arrays for detectors that acquire data synchronously in a frame at a specified frame rate. The frame-based approaches can have poor contrast due to limited dynamic range and slow full-frame data collection due to bandwidth limitations. The limited dynamic range and slow data collection can result in long scan times. Long scan times may result in limited throughput of inspections, increase the likelihood of operator error or system malfunction, and can result in higher than necessary x-ray dosage rates or x-ray exposure of systems being examined using tomography systems. Hence, neuromorphic radiography and x-ray computed tomography system and methods may be required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of conventional, frame-based computed tomography systems. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention a neuromorphic radiography and computed tomography system includes: a source of electromagnetic radiation; a scintillator, capable of fluorescing when struck by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source; and a neuromorphic camera comprising an array of pixels and having a field of view and configured to generate event data based on the fluorescence generated by the scintillator. The source emits the radiation in a field directed at an object and the object effects aspects of the electromagnetic radiation field, the scintillator receives the electromagnetic radiation and luminesces based on the electromagnetic radiation, the luminescence of the scintillator is captured by the neuromorphic camera to generate event data associated with luminescence events within the scintillator, wherein event data is generated each time an incidence of luminescence exceeds a threshold level of light within the field of view, and the event data is processed to generate a reconstruction of the object. Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of one embodiment of a neuromorphic radiography and x-ray computed tomography system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. FIG. 2 A depicts details of an exemplary scintillator assembly. FIG. 2 B depicts additional details of a scintillator and associated systems. FIG. 2 C depicts additional details of a scintillator and associated systems. <div id="p-0014" num="0013" class="descriptio