The TSA's New Scanners Could Mean The End Of Removing Your Laptop And Liquids

The TSA hates that you have to take out your laptop and liquids, too. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is unveiling a new x-ray technology that could one day allow passengers "to leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags," according to a statement. Fifteen airports around the country will soon implement new 3D computed tomography (CT) scanners at security checkpoints. The new machines allow TSA officers to visually inspect and rotate 3D images of each bag. If a threat is found in the image, a TSA officer will remove the bag and search for the item. However the administration believes the new technology will result in fewer necessary physical bag inspections. The TSA began testing the new machines at Phoenix Sky Harbor and Boston’s Logan International airports in 2017, and recently installed a third machine at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The next airports to receive the technology are: Baltimore-Washington, Chicago O’Hare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Houston Hobby, Indianapolis, Los Angeles International, McCarran in Las Vegas, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis Lambert, and Washington-Dulles. Other airports will receive the machines in the coming months. By the end of the year, 40 new machines are expected at airports around the country.

Regions covered the global refurbished medical devices market report include Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The FDA has recently announced new supportive regulations regarding the servicing and refurbishment of medical devices. Project MEND is building a larger facility for medical device refurbishing in Texas, U.S.A. North America leads the global refurbished medical devices market due to the regions high adoption of medical devices and the resulting presence of a high volume of medical devices that may otherwise go to waste. Many organizations in the region refurbish medical devices for low-income bracket patients in the North American market.

Europe and the Asia Pacific are neck and neck in terms of market size. However, it is likely that the Asia Pacific will make more significant progress during the review period due to the high adoption rate of refurbished medical devices in the many underdeveloped parts of the region. Emerging economies such as India, China, and many others have significant rural areas where the healthcare sector is expanding. Adoption of refurbished medical devices is expected to provide the regions healthcare sector with an overall boost. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa regional market have the smallest share of the market. However, the region displays potential due to the significant presence of poor countries where healthcare is a growing need.

INDIANAPOLIS -- New technology that will improve your safety and your experience is being tested at the Indianapolis International Airport. Aging x-ray machines will be replaced with 3-D scanners that show TSA agents a 3-D scan and allow them to move a bag or even "virtually" remove some of the items inside bags, like laptops. TSA Federal Security Directory Aaron Batt says Indianapolis is one of the first airports to get the scanners. "This is actually the first airport build post 9-11 and when you look at this facility you’ll notice that it was built with security in mind," said Batt. The new technology means everything can stay inside your luggage while you’re going through security. "Customers are liking it so far, they really enjoy this technology.

There are undoubtedly ways of improving the process, but rather than examining how other countries handle the security threat and learning their hard-won lessons, the TSA’s solution is to throw more money at things. The scanner uses the same computed tomography (CT) technology that’s been commonplace in hospital scanners for decades. The scanner is built by Analogic, and includes neat software tools for agents to visually explode and rotate the scan in 360 degrees. Having recently missed a flight because two TSA agents couldn’t find a single (and legal!) hex key in my carry-on, anything that helps TSA examine baggage faster and with less unpacking of my bags is welcome. The new scanner will be in operation at New York’s JFK airport starting in late July, and the TSA is also testing the technology at security checkpoints in Phoenix and Boston.

PET scanner is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. The scan uses a special dye that has radioactive tracers.Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe metabolic processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer), which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule. Three-dimensional images of tracer concentration within the body are then constructed by computer analysis. In modern PET-CT scanners, three-dimensional imaging is often accomplished with the aid of a CT X-ray scan performed on the patient during the same session, in the same machine.

Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe metabolic processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer), which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule. Three-dimensional images of tracer concentration within the body are then constructed by computer analysis. Middle East Africa (Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran) And More. Focuses on the key global Positron Emission Tomography PET manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Positron Emission Tomography PET with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. We work with the aim to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Our representatives strive to understand diverse client requirements and cater to the same with the most innovative and functional solutions.

Be prepared for long queues and delays while commuting via trains next week in the name of enhanced security. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) today announced that a six-month trial will be launched starting Nov 12, when MRT stations will start deploying metal detectors and X-ray scanners at fare gates. Not all MRT stations will have screening equipment deployed though — LTA assured that the enhanced security screening trials will only be conducted at up to six MRT stations (across all rail lines) at any one time. Thing is, LTA made no mention of which stations will see the implementations, presumably done so we won’t know which stations to avoid. One can only imagine the pain of being hampered by having to walk through metal detectors and passing belongings through X-ray scanners, especially if the trial is being conducted during peak hours in the Central Business District. Not to mention the invasion of privacy when officers get to peruse through bags.

70 million order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to supply new scanning tech for use in airports nationwide. Smiths Detection Inc., based in Edgewood, will supply its CTX 9800 Explosives Detection Systems, which uses computed tomography (CT) imaging to several U.S. 2018 and 2019. The tech will be deployed as part of security equipment upgrades and expansion efforts by TSA. The scanners can detect and identify explosives in checked baggage brought through TSA security checkpoints. The technology has been certified by several federal regulatory authorities, including the TSA, and it is also approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference.

Some of the sites receiving the new scanners include: San Diego, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Florida, Chicago, Seattle, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. It was not disclosed whether the sites included airports in Maryland or Washington, D.C. "These CTX 9800 EDS will significantly enhance the ability for TSA officials at airports to make better informed decisions about potential threats within checked baggage," Shan Hood, president of Smiths Detection, said in a statement. Smiths Detection has been contracted to provide scanning and detections technologies to ports, airports and other sites in need of defense capabilities worldwide for more than 40 years. Some of its other products include X-ray and human screening devices, and chemical and radiation detectors.

In airports, efficiency matters. Small delays in loading baggage, cleaning planes, or restocking airplane meals can have knock-on effects that cause havoc for hundreds of passengers. For frequent flyers, the difficulty comes with baggage. In the US, the Transport Security Administration (TSA) sees more than five million pieces of cabin baggage passing through its airports each day. Every single one of these items needs to be checked as it passes through an airport's security systems. Laptops, tablets, and liquids have to removed from hand luggage before the bags can be scanned. Heathrow airport is the latest airport - after Amsterdam's Schiphol and New York's John F. Kennedy - to trial technology that can fully image everything that's inside a piece of hand luggage. A small number of trials lasting between six and 12 months started this Spring, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport says.

It refused to give more details for security reasons but said the scanners being trialled, which are equipped with automatic explosive detection, could lead to it no longer being mandatory for items to be removed from hand luggage. So, how does it work? Airport scanners that provide 3D images and let security staff see completely inside baggage use a process called computed tomography (CT). Essentially, it's the same process as is involved in medical CT scans that allow doctors to see inside patients without cutting them open. CT uses x-rays to scan an area and then creates a computerised version of the results.

Hans Joachim Schoepe, who works in CT scanning at Smiths Detection. The company says more than 2,100 of its CT machines are used in airports around the world. These are then used to create a 3D image. The result is a 3D image. This appears on the screens of airport security staff who can rotate, turn and inspect what's in the object from multiple different angles. Being able to look at all items within a bag, from one image that can be manipulated, means that laptops and liquids don't need to be removed. Smiths' CT scanner can have 1,000 bags per hour pass through. CT technology isn't new. Schoepe says airports have used CT machines to inspect checked baggage, which is put in a plane's hold, for around 20 years. Why hasn't it been used to speed up security for cabin bags before now? The machines were too large, slow, and the computing power to quickly process images while people wait wasn't easily available. All that has changed.

We’re in the midst of one of the busiest weeks of the year for air travel, with 30.6 million passengers expected to fly on US airlines in the days leading up to and following Thanksgiving. On a daily basis, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) needs to manage both frustrations and fears. Travelers are agitated by long lines and intrusive screening measures. They are also aware of the complex and dangerous threat environment, which has included 297 mass shootings in the US this year alone. How can the TSA mitigate both the frustrations and the fears, given that these sentiments often work against each other?

The agency is experimenting with passive terahertz screening technology. Thruvision, a British company, claims its 50-pound devices can be used to screen multiple passengers simultaneously, from a distance of 25 feet away. The TSA is testing the efficacy of these devices at a facility near Arlington, Virginia. Although the large-scale deployment of Thruvision’s devices could prove significant, industry experts say that variations of passive terahertz technology have been under development for over ten years. There are differences between various companies’ iterations. In a press release, Thruvision noted that its stand-off people-screening solution uses a proprietary version of the technology. Passive terahertz solutions work by sensing the heat emission from a human body in order to visualize hidden hazardous objects.

According to an article published by SPIE, this thermal mapping approach uses the same type of radiation as active MMW imagers, but the lack of artificial illumination reduces health risks. Additionally, the tech may reassure privacy advocates. Passive thermal imagers record temperature variations instead of body shapes, which results in less-revealing imagery. Thruvision’s press release also emphasizes that its devices do not reveal anatomical details or emit energy or radiation. Thruvision claims the technology can screen more than 2,000 passengers per hour. But once it’s implemented into the practical operating environment of an airport, things might actually move much slower. "When you’re in an airport, that doesn’t work as long as you have to screen the carry-on baggage," Ray White, a former TSA executive, told me in an interview. "So if you come through with a laptop and a carry-on bag, that has to be x-rayed.

That is the slow point in the entire screening process. However, White noted that the industry has made a lot of advances in the technology that screens checked baggage. The agency is exploring high-speed explosives detections systems with a throughput that could exceed 900 bags per hour. The agency has also deployed new Computed Tomography (CT) units to selected airports. By moving CT technology from the checked baggage area to the passenger checkpoint, it could speed up and eliminate the bottleneck the current x-ray system creates. Every day, 2,587,000 passengers fly in and out of US airports. There are 5,116 public airports and 14,485 private airports.

Given the enormity and complexity of these operations, it isn’t surprising that technologies sometimes underperform in the field, despite promising lab results. In order to ensure safety and efficacy, the TSA has to carefully test and choose its tech. The agency hosts regular events where they invite industry to come in and share new innovations under development. "The TSA is working hand-in-glove, as best they can, with the industry to certainly innovate and make things more acceptable to the traveling public," said Ray White. When asked whether the immediacy of national security ever causes tech to be rolled out prematurely, White said yes. So did Jeffrey C. Price, M.A., an aviation and aerospace science professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the author of aviation security textbooks. One example was the puffer machine.

These machines were meant to detect small traces of certain compounds, such as explosives and illegal drugs, by blowing particles off passengers with a puff of air. "But that was premature, we bought 80 of those, put them out in the field, tested them, and they didn’t work well enough. There were too many glitches," said White. "The problem with that is airports are dirty, dusty environments," said Price. The TSA determines specifications and standards for new technologies and then tests them at a mockup checked bag screening system and a mockup checkpoint. Equipment is then moved out into the field and placed in a pilot program.

During this stage of operational field testing, the new equipment is redundant to what is already being carried out. The stakes are too high to rely on something unproven. The equipment has to meet a certain threshold for effectiveness. That detection capability is classified. Public criticism of TSA technologies is often centered around health concerns and privacy. Scientifically, it isn’t always possible to definitively know the health effects of screening technologies or any technologies, unless you have population studies about 20 years after they have been implemented. In past instances, the TSA has iteratively adjusted its technology in response to complaints from the public. Backscatter machines were substituted with millimeter wave scanners that produce less detailed body imagery.

Additionally, researchers found that millimeter wave scanners mitigate the risk of adverse health effects by using non-ionizing radiation. When asked whether the passive terahertz technology could replace the current full-body scanners, Price said he hopes new tech can eventually replace the need for a checkpoint, as checkpoints could be targets for terrorists. He explained, "The terrorists have clearly changed tactics and they are now looking at attacking public areas, and a screening checkpoint does not fix that. He suggested installing passive terahertz scanners near the entrances of public areas. "When people are coming in, they’re scanned passively, they won’t even know it most of the time. If there’s no threat, they can just walk to the gate like they used to. The Thruvision devices have been field-tested in the L.A. Within the last five years, more than 200 units have been deployed worldwide. If the technology continues to perform well, it could be a game-changer. "I think we’ve seen the full cycle of what we can do with the screening checkpoint. It’s now time to build a better mousetrap," said Price.

Going through airport security is often an unpleasant experience, and some of that has to do with the scanners used in American airports. Since the scanners use x-ray technology, they can only take two-dimensional images of the bags that pass through them. This is why you have to separate your laptop from the rest of your carry-on bags: The 2-D images makes it difficult to distinguish explosives from harmless electronic devices when they're close to each other. But some airports in the United States are beginning to test scanners with computed tomography technology, according to Wired. These CT scanners are often used in hospitals, and they give the viewer 3-D images that make it much easier to distinguish and isolate the items in your bags. TSA agents would be able to rotate, zoom in or out, or change the colors or contrast on an object, which means you may not have to disassemble your bags again. Tests in European airports have indicated that security lines may be able to move at double their current speed if the new scanners are introduced, but the biggest hurdle to widespread implementation is their price. 300,000, which is double the price of a standard x-ray scanner. American Airlines is planning to test the machines at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport before expanding the trials next year.

Robotic X-ray scanner is a medical imaging device which gives flexibility to the medical practitioner. It has got its name from its characteristic of moving according to commands given to it. This robotic X-ray scanner uses radiographic abilities and is used in fields of emergency care, critical care, orthopaedic and surgical and non-surgical processes. The X-ray screening equipment and inspection equipment source and X -ray detector can move simultaneous without moving the patient. Robotic X-ray scanner comes in handy when patient is unconscious and is unable to move or respond. Robotic X-ray scanner adds supreme elasticity to surgical process. Robotic X-ray scanner reduces the time required during surgery procedures for scanning patient and helps to take critical decisions according to the situation. This all can be done without patient been carried from one room to another just for X-ray.

Robotic X-ray empowers swifter, smoother and easy patient positioning and completion of procedures. Presently, Robotic X-ray scanner global market is driven by the technological development in healthcare industry, increase in geriatric population, and increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and other bone related disease. Robotic X-ray scannerglobal market is expected to grow by the factors such as rapid innovation in products,technological advancement in production and modelling technologies, increasing privatization in the healthcare sector, rising acceptance of refurbished medical imaging devices in emerging countries. Globally manufacturers have been modifying their product lines to attract more consumers and as a result, it assist them to stay forward of the competition.The major restraint faced by the market is the high cost of robotic X-ray scanner. Various end-users do not have the financial plan to capitalize on expensive robotic X-ray scanners. Depending on geographic region, robotic X-ray scanner global market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Some of the key participating players in global robotic X-ray scanner market are Siemens AG, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare Inc.,Ziehm Imaging, Hologic corp., BMI Biomedical International s.r.l., Medonica Co. Ltd., DMS Health Technologies, Gemss Co. Ltd., Shimadzu Corp.

FOR many regular travellers—or at least those without access to fast-track security lanes—it has become a fact of life. When you pass through airport security, you have to load your carry-on bag onto the x-ray belt, and take out your liquids and large electronic items. But within a matter of years, this tedious exercise might be a thing of the past. Upgrade your inbox and get our Daily Dispatch and Editor's Picks. Will the courts let Donald Trump build his wall? This summer America’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing in 15 airports new x-ray machines that can detect explosives without the need to remove liquids and electronics from bags.

Flyers passing through the security lines with those machines can simply place their bags on the belt and walk through the scanner. The TSA hopes to have 40 units in place by the end of the year and more than 145 by the end of September next year. "We think in perhaps five years or so, the passengers won’t have to take anything out of their carry-on bags," David Pekoske of the TSA told CBS, a broadcaster. According to CBS, the TSA would need about 2,000 machines to cover all of the country’s airport security checkpoints. It is not just America.

The same type of CT scanner, which works like a hospital scanner and produces 3D images, is being tested in Britain. The current American and British regulations require flyers to place all liquids under 100ml—larger liquid containers are not allowed—into a sealed plastic bag. But here is where the new machines could serve their best purpose. Flyers want to feel like their safety is being protected. Generally, new procedures and equipment that create the illusion of safety also create longer security lines. So even if the new scanners do not make flying meaningfully safer, anything that lends the appearance of safety without slowing things down—and the scanners are actually likely to speed things up—is most welcome.

According to scientists, the scanner will revolutionize the way x-ray technology will detect, diagnose and monitor many diseases, including cancer, has been awarded Gold Status for research excellence by MBIE. "The implications of this research will be huge for the medical profession. Scientists actually want to market MARS scanners developed by the University of Canterbury, where proof of concept trials have been undertaken at Otago University Christchurch. The initial market is a range of researchers from many institutes. The exploration has additionally been upheld by the MedTech Center of Research Excellence and GE Healthcare. GE is giving a first-class CT scanner to the MARS group to quicken the examination. As another case of the interdisciplinary idea of the MARS program, the GE scanner will be introduced in the creature offices at Lincoln University.

The growth of the vehicle scanner market is driven because of the increasing security and safety concerns worldwide. Buyers are installing the vehicle scanning technology in their premises as it helps in identifying immediate threats, contraband, foreign objects, and others. The vehicle scanner market is used for many applications such as military checkpoints, border crossings, airports and seaports, hotels and royal palaces, government buildings, nuclear power plants, and chemical companies. Although vehicle scanners are installed in many places, however, the growth is still slow due to the limited sale of the system. High spending on infrastructural development will propel the growth of portable/mobile vehicle scanner system during the forecast period. The portable/mobile vehicle scanner system segment is the fastest growing vehicle scanner market. The portable scanners have high growth potential as they can be installed at any desired inspection location and require low installation cost as compared with static scanners.

Moreover, the high spending on infrastructure in the developing countries is likely to propel the vehicle scanner market for portable/mobile scanners. North America is expected to record the largest market during the forecast period. North America is the largest vehicle scanner market, followed by the Middle East. North America is home to leading vehicle scanner manufacturers such as Gatekeeper Security, Leidos, and IRD. The North American region has faced safety and security concerns such as terrorism, contraband, and other illegal activities, which have fueled the demand for high safety and security systems in the region. Government and private and commercial properties are focusing more on the safety concerns to combat rising threats and activities. To ensure safety and security and to minimize irregular activities, properties are installing under vehicle scanners and overhead x-ray systems for full vehicle body scanning. These factors are expected to propel the vehicle scanner market in North America.