Patent ID: 7463714

Claim:
A method for detecting foreign object debris (FOD) in an item that has been modified, the method comprising: scanning the item using x-rays prior to modifying the item; detecting x-rays backscattered from the unmodified item; forming a first image of the unmodified item from the backscattered x-rays detected; modifying the item; scanning the item using x-rays subsequent to modifying the item detecting x-rays backscattered from the modified item; forming a second image of the modified item from the backscattered x-rays detected; comparing the first image and the second image so as to define a resultant image depicting potential FOD in the modified item; determining geometrical characteristics of the potential FOD from the resultant image; and, comparing the geometrical characteristics of the potential FOD with previously stored values of at least one of the group consisting of known FOD geometric characteristics, nominal item geometric characteristics and previously collected item geometric configuration data to ascertain whether the potential FOD comprises actual FOD.