Viken Detection HBI-120 is a rugged, ergonomic, handheld backscatter x-ray instrument that enables users to quickly and cost-effectively find concealed explosives, narcotics, and other contraband through 3 mm of steel equivalent material — more than three times the thickness of typical motor-vehicle body panels — with none of the limitations of portable transmission x-ray systems. The HBI-120 weighs only 8.1 lbs. (3.7 kg) and images objects with a miniaturized, internal 120 keV x-ray generator that makes a raster-scanning pencil beam of x-rays to scan objects of interest. As the handheld HBI-120 is moved over the object, a  2-dimensional backscatter x-ray image of the object is displayed in real-time on HBI-120’s high-resolution transflective LCD touchscreen and saved in the instrument’s memory.

Older portable transmission x-ray systems require the x-ray source module and the detector module to be placed and aligned (with the source on one side of the object and the detector on the other side) before an x-ray image can be taken. Sometimes it is not possible to place the source and detector where they are needed to produce a good transmission x-ray image; and it is not possible to take transmission x-ray images close to the ground. Portable transmission x-ray systems scan about 6 by 8 inches (15 by 20 cm) at one time and it can take minutes to scan an object of interest. With the new HBI-120 backscatter x-ray imager you can scan small or large objects and see what’s inside immediately. Scan up to a square foot (30 by 30 cm) per second and see high-contrast backscatter x-ray images of concealed threats — in-vehicle fenders, doors, bumpers, exhaust manifolds, dashboards, seats and tires. Find improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in backpacks and similar threats in seconds, even in tight corners and next to the ground.

Viken Detection’s HBI-120 is the first-ever handheld x-ray imager that enables customs and border patrol agents and other inspectors to quickly find concealed threats and contraband in motor vehicles, ships, aircraft, steel drums, trash receptacles, mailboxes and other locations. The HBI-120 lets law-enforcement officers, private security personnel and others to quickly inspect abandoned bags and packages for threats without opening them. The HBI-120 has safety interlocks, a built-in video camera and a flashlight.