In a method and apparatus for automated inspection, an image is acquired of an object under inspection and a difference image is generated showing the difference between the acquired image and a reference image of a defect-free object of the same type. Characteristics of the difference image, or detected isolated regions of the difference image, are passed to an automated defect classifier to classify defects in the object under inspection. The characteristics of the difference image may be pixels of the difference image or features determined therefrom. The features may be extracted using a neural network, for example. The automated defect classifier is trained using difference images and may be further trained, in operation, based on operator classifications and using simulated images of defects identified by an operator.

A method and system of nanoscale photoacoustic tomography (nPAT) for non-invasive three-dimensional mapping and characterization of fine cellular structures (such as but not limited to organelles, vesicles, and macromolecules) of biological samples is disclosed.

Methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer, are described. The described methods can effectively separate shear wave signals from signals corresponding to residual motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer. The systems and methods described here also provide for real-time visualization of shear waves propagating in the subject.

A system, device and method for imaging, measuring and identifying surface features in a tubular, such as a casing, wellbore, or pipe. The device comprises an ultrasound transducer for sonifying an area of the surface of the tubular, with a pulse intercepting axial locations of the sonified area at different times. Reflected signals are processed using their time of flight to interpret the reflected signals as axial locations of features on the surface of the tubular. Multiple sonified areas are partially overlapped in the axial direction to capture features redundantly. Reflections from the multiple areas are combined to remove noise and strengthen reflections from real features. A geometric model of the surface of the tubular is rendered and displayed. Capturing larger areas per frame increases the logging rate and oversampling improves the resolution and signal to noise ratio.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Described herein is a system for determining structural characteristics of an object, the system including a first laser, a second laser, one or more processors, and a computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform functions. The functions include illuminating, by the first laser, a surface region of an object with an incident light pulse, thereby causing the object to exhibit vibrations; illuminating, by the second laser, the surface region with an incident light beam, thereby generating responsive light that is indicative of the vibrations; detecting the responsive light and determining a difference between a characteristic of the responsive light and a reference characteristic that corresponds to the surface region; determining a position of the surface region within a three-dimensional space; and displaying the surface region such that the difference is indicated at the position of the surface region.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

A system and methods of nondestructive testing are described. The system includes an immersion ultrasonic probe and a laser vibrometer. The immersion ultrasonic probe and a sample are immersed in a fluid contained in an immersion tank and the laser vibrometer is disposed outside of the immersion tank. A tightly focused ultrasonic beam from the immersion ultrasonic probe and a laser beam from the laser vibrometer are both transmitted upon a sample, the laser beam being transmitted through the wall of the immersion tank. Since the ultrasonic beam is tightly focused and the laser beam samples only a small area impinged by the ultrasonic beam, microscopic resolution is obtained.

An Oblique Backscatter Ultrasound imaging system includes a transceiver that has an US source and a plurality of US detectors configured in receive signals off axis from the US source. While the system is arranged in a reflective configuration, the device produces transmissive contrast signals to yield improved images. The transceiver can be mounted to a movable stage or robotic arm to enable it to scan the surface of a target. Alternatively, scanning can be performed by 1D or 2D phased-array transmission or detection.