Tomosynthesis X-ray mammogram system and method with automatic drive system
First Claim
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
a track; and
a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path.
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Abstract
An imaging system includes an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path and a stationary electronic X-ray detector. The system also includes a track and a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method includes mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track and irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path. The method also includes detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with an electronic X-ray detector, and constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.
119 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
a track; and
a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path;
an arc shaped track provided to allow the X-ray source to move in the arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector positioned opposite to the X-ray source; and
a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source mounted onto an upper portion of a first arm;
a second arm having a first side and a second side, a stationary electronic X-ray detector mounted facing the X-ray source to a first side of the second arm such that an imaging volume is formed above the electronic X-ray detector;
a shaft rotatably connecting a middle portion of the first arm to a middle portion of a second side of the second arm;
a linear motion track adapted to move relative to the second arm; and
a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move a lower portion of the first arm along the linear motion track such that the X-ray source moves in an arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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a first means for irradiating a patient'"'"'s breast with an X-ray dose at a plurality of steps along an arc shaped path;
a second means for mechanically moving the first means in a stepped motion on the arc shaped path around the patient'"'"'s breast;
a third means for detecting the X-rays transmitted through the patient'"'"'s breast; and
a fourth means for constructing a three dimensional image of the patient'"'"'s breast from a signal output by the third means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:
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mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track;
irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with a stationary electronic X-ray detector; and
constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification