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Automated X-ray & Laser Imaging System for Detecting Bone Fragments on Poultry De-boning Lines

Award Information
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Branch: N/A
Contract: 2007-33610-18618
Agency Tracking Number: 2006-00257
Amount: $346,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
14227 Reed Farm Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Hansong Jing
 Director of R&D
 (301) 279-0618
 jinghs@ivausa.com
Business Contact
 Tom Sullivan
Title: CFO
Phone: (301) 279-0618
Email: tdsullivan@ivausa.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Health-conscious Americans have increased their consumption of white meat. Boneless
poultry now represents 48% of the USs annual 46.9 billion pounds of poultry products. With
increasing consumer demand, poultry processors strive to improve quality, efficiency,
product safety, and productivity. Processors are especially concerned about bone fragments
and hazardous materials embedded in fillets which pose health risks to consumers.
During Phase I and previous NRI research, we developed a synergistic x-ray and laser
imaging technology to accurately detect bone fragments. Successful Phase I results proved
that combining x-ray and laser vision technologies into a fully functional automated x-ray and
laser vision detection system for poultry plant on-line bone fragment detection is highly
feasible.
Phase IIs objective is to fill the gap between the fundamental research and practical R and D for
an industrially viable automated system which will meet both FDA radiation protection and
USDA food safety requirements.
Our tasks include: (1) developing a full-scale multi-thread image processing architecture to
maximize system throughput to implement high-speed electronics and algorithms, (2)
developing an essential automatic calibration system to ensure reliability and robustness of
the x-ray and laser imaging detection systems expanded field view; and (3) developing userfriendly
interfaces for the detection systems convenient and secure operation and control.
This project will lead to an industry-ready commercializable system technology for sensitive
and accurate detection of bone fragments and hazardous materials on poultry de-boning
lines. Our success will enhance the poultry industrys ability to deliver quality, safe, and costeffective
poultry products to American consumers.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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