X-RAY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOMOSYNTHETIC SCANNING

• US 20100020920A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Mertelmeier, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4007 characterised by using a plurality of source units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4028 resulting in acquisition of views from substantially different positions, e.g. EBCT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4241 using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/1016 X-ray
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/206 sources operating at different energy levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/414 stereoscopic system
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/612 biological material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/08 Targets (anodes) and X-ray converters

Abstract

In an x-ray system and a method for tomosynthetic scanning of a subject, x-ray radiation is emitted from two x-ray sources that are panned relative to the subject during a tomosynthetic scan. The two x-ray sources each emit an x-ray beam, the respective x-ray beams being parallel to each other with regard to their beam directions proceeding toward the subject. X-rays from the two parallel beams attenuated by the subject are detected by a two-dimensional x-ray detector, that is substantially stationary during the tomosynthetic scan.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. An x-ray system for tomosynthetic scanning of a subject, comprising:

two x-ray source that each emit an x-ray beam, said x-ray beams being oriented parallel to each other and proceeding toward a subject to be irradiated with the x-ray beams, each of said x-ray sources being activatable independently of the other of said x-ray sources to irradiate the subject;

said x-ray sources being movable relative to the subject to execute tomosynthetic scanning of the subject with said parallel x-ray beams; and

a two-dimensional x-ray detector disposed behind the subject, with respect to propagation of said x-ray beams, said x-ray detector detecting x-rays in said parallel x-ray beams attenuated by the subject, said x-ray detector being disposed substantially stationary relative to the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning.

20. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 comprising a common housing containing both of said x-ray sources.

21. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 comprising a single x-ray tube containing both of said x-ray sources.

22. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said x-ray tube contains two anodes respectively for said two x-ray sources.

23. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said x-ray tube comprises an anode, said anode having different focal spots respectively for said two x-ray sources.

24. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said two x-ray sources are respectively operable to emit x-ray radiation of respectively different energies.

25. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said x-ray sources are movable through defined angle increments relative to the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning, with a distance between the two x-ray sources being equal to the angle increment or an integer multiple thereof.

26. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said x-ray sources are movable through an angle range relative to the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning, and wherein said x-ray sources are spaced apart by a distance equal to approximately half of said angle range.

27. An x-ray system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said two x-ray sources and said two dimensional x-ray detector are configured to implement mammography of a female breast as said subject, by said tomosynthetic scanning.

36. A method as claimed in claim 19 comprising configuring said two x-ray sources and said two dimensional x-ray detector to implement mammography of a female breast as said subject, by said tomosynthetic scanning.

28. A method for tomosynthetic scanning of a subject, comprising:

independently activating two x-ray sources to each of said x-ray sources to emit an x-ray beam, said x-ray beams being oriented parallel to each other;

irradiating a subject with the parallel x-ray beams;

moving said x-ray sources being relative to the subject to execute tomosynthetic scanning of the subject with said parallel x-ray beams; and

with a two-dimensional x-ray detector disposed behind the subject and substantially stationary relative to the subject, detecting x-rays in said parallel x-ray beams attenuated by the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning; and

generating an x-ray image from the x-rays detected by said x-ray detector

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising containing both of said x-ray sources in a common housing.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising employing a single x-ray tube containing both of said x-ray sources.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising configuring said x-ray tube with two anodes respectively for said two x-ray sources.

32. A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising providing said x-ray tube with an anode having different focal spots respectively for said two x-ray sources.

33. A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising respectively operating said two x-ray sources to emit x-ray radiation of respectively different energies.

34. A method as claimed in claim 28 comprising moving said x-ray sources through defined angle increments relative to the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning, with a distance between the two x-ray sources being equal to the angle increment or an integer multiple thereof.

35. A method system as claimed in claim 28 comprising moving said x-ray sources through an angle range relative to the subject during said tomosynthetic scanning, and spacing said x-ray sources apart by a distance equal to approximately half of said angle range.