The Pan-AM Flight 103 tragedy announced the need for improved airport explosives detection technology.  The founding team at InVision Technologies, Inc., including Phillip Yeager, responded by developing the first FAA-approved explosives detection system.  The CTX system is the most widely used, TSA-certified explosives detection system (EDS) in the world.  The system uses technology derived from medical Computed Tomography (CT) to help locate and identify explosive devices concealed in checked baggage.

The CTX can be used in a standalone application yet powerful enough for integration into airport baggage handling systems.  As the conveyor moves each bag through the machine, the system produces a scan projection X-ray image. Using sophisticated computer algorithms, the CTX system analyzes these slice images and compares their properties with those of known threats. If a match is found, the system alarms and displays the object on the screen. By viewing the screen images an operator can determine whether a threat exists, and then follow established protocols for threat resolution.