METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A TOMOSYNTHETIC 3D X-RAY IMAGE

• US 20100034450A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Mertelmeier, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/531,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20100034450A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4028 resulting in acquisition of views from substantially different positions, e.g. EBCT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/405 Source units specially adapted to modify characteristics of the beam during the data acquisition process A61B6/4021, A61B6/4035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4085 Cone-beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/542 involving control of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/062 Cold cathodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/068 Multi-cathode assembly

Abstract

In a method and device for producing a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, a number of 2D projection images of an examination subject are acquired using a fixed x-ray source. The x-ray source has multiple, individually controllable emitters that respectively emit a single x-ray dose from various different directions. The tomosynthetic 3D image is reconstructed from the individual 2D projection images, and at least one 2D projection image is composed of multiple individual images.

Claims

1. Method for generation of a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, comprising:

acquiring a plurality of 2D projection images with a stationary x-ray source that has a plurality of emitters that are arranged in parallel and can be activated individually by acquiring said 2D projection images in succession from different directions respectively associated with the individual emitters

generating at least one 2D projection image from a plurality of individual images that are respectively created by exposure of the examination subject with a single dose that is emitted by a single emitter; and

reconstructing a tomosynthetic 3D image form said plurality of 2D projection images.

2. Method according to claim 1 comprising, after a first emitter has been activated to emit a first individual dose, an additional second emitter is activated first before said first emitter is activated again to emit an additional individual dose.

3. Method according to claim 2, in which each of the 2D projection images used for reconstruction of the tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image is composed of a plurality of single images, and comprising after the emitters have respectively emitted a first single dose, to emit an additional individual dose said emitters are activated in series in the same order as this occurred to the emit the first individual dose.

4. Method according to claim 2 comprising dividing those emitters emit a plurality of single doses to generate a 2D projection image into groups using the number of single doses that are emitted by the respective emitter and activating the emitters in succession in said groups.

5. Method according to claim 4, comprising activating groups of emitters that are different from one another in direct succession.

6. Method according to claim 1 comprising predetermining any of the preceding claims, in which the number of single doses to be emitted by a single emitter by a dose distribution provided for the examination subject.

7. Method according to claim 1 comprising generating tomosynthetic 3D x-ray difference image as a 3d x-ray image using the single doses used to generate a 2D projection image exhibit with different x-ray energies.

8. Method according to claim 7, comprising setting the x-ray energy of a first single dose is below an absorption edge of an x-ray contrast agent and setting the x-ray energy of an additional single dose is above an absorption edge of an x-ray contrast agent.

9. Method according to claim 1 comprising predetermining a constant product of current and emission time for all emitters as a parameter for generation of a single dose.

10. (canceled)

11. A device for generation of a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, comprising:

a stationary x-ray source comprising a plurality of emitters arranged in parallel that are activated individually to acquire a plurality of 2D projection images in succession from different directions respectively associated with the individual emitters

said x-ray source being operated to generate at least one 2D projection image of a plurality of individual images that are respectively created by exposure of the examination subject with a single dose that is emitted by a single emitter; and

a computer that reconstructs a tomosynthetic 3D image form said plurality of 2D projection images.