Mammography method and apparatus for generating digital tomosynthetic 3D image
First Claim
1. A method for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examination object, comprising the steps of:
- moving an X-ray tube through a plurality of projection angles relative to an examination object, and irradiating the examination object with X-rays from said X-ray tube at each of said projection angles, and detecting X-rays attenuated by the examination object with a digital X-ray detector, to generate respective images of the examination object at said projection angles, said projection angles including a first of said projection angles at a starting position of movement of said X-ray tube;
only at said first of said projection angles, irradiating the examination object with X-rays from the X-ray tube at a dose that is lower than a dose employed at others of said projection angles, to generate a preliminary image of the examination object;
automatically electronically evaluating said preliminary image to identify at least one operating parameter for said X-ray tube for generating a remainder of said images, and operating said X-ray tube with said at least one operating parameter to generate said remainder of said images; and
computationally reconstructing a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of the examination object at least from said remainder of said images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method and a device for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examined object, a number of individual images are made of the examined object at different projection angles relative to the normal of the patient examination table by moving the X-ray tube. In a starting position, the X-ray tube is operated with a dose that is lower than that used for subsequent individual images. At least one preliminary image is recorded at the starting position, which is then evaluated to determine the radiographic parameters required for the recording of the subsequent individual images.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examination object, comprising the steps of:
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moving an X-ray tube through a plurality of projection angles relative to an examination object, and irradiating the examination object with X-rays from said X-ray tube at each of said projection angles, and detecting X-rays attenuated by the examination object with a digital X-ray detector, to generate respective images of the examination object at said projection angles, said projection angles including a first of said projection angles at a starting position of movement of said X-ray tube;
only at said first of said projection angles, irradiating the examination object with X-rays from the X-ray tube at a dose that is lower than a dose employed at others of said projection angles, to generate a preliminary image of the examination object;
automatically electronically evaluating said preliminary image to identify at least one operating parameter for said X-ray tube for generating a remainder of said images, and operating said X-ray tube with said at least one operating parameter to generate said remainder of said images; and
computationally reconstructing a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of the examination object at least from said remainder of said images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examination object, comprising:
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an X-ray tube movable through a plurality of projection angles relative to an examination object, that irradiates the examination object with X-rays from said X-ray tube at each of said projection angles, said projection angles including a first of said projection angles at a starting position of movement of said X-ray tube;
a digital X-ray detector that detects X-rays attenuated by the examination object to generate respective images of the examination object at said projection angles;
said X-ray tube, only at said first of said projection angles, irradiating the examination object with X-rays at a dose that is lower than a dose employed at others of said projection angles, to generate a preliminary image of the examination object; and
a control and evaluation unit that automatically electronically evaluates said preliminary image to identify at least one operating parameter for said X-ray tube for generating a remainder of said images, and operates said X-ray tube with said at least one operating parameter to generate said remainder of said images, and computationally reconstructs a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of the examination object at least from said remainder of said images.
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11. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program, loadable into a control and evaluation unit of an apparatus for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examination object, said apparatus comprising an X-ray tube and a digital X-ray detector, and said computer program causing apparatus to:
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move said X-ray tube through a plurality of projection angles relative to an examination object, to irradiate the examination object with X-rays from said X-ray tube at each of said projection angles, with X-rays attenuated by the examination object being detected with said digital X-ray detector, said projection angles including a first of said projection angles at a starting position of movement of said X-ray tube;
generate respective images of the examination object at the projection angles;
operate said X-ray tube to irradiate the examination object, only at said first of said projection angles, with X-rays from the X-ray tube at a dose that is lower than a dose employed at others of said projection angles, to generate a preliminary image of the examination object;
automatically electronically evaluate said preliminary image to identify at least one operating parameter for said X-ray tube for generating a remainder of said images, and operating said X-ray tube with said at least one operating parameter to generate said remainder of said images; and
computationally reconstruct a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of the examination object at least from said remainder of said images.
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Specification