X-RAY SCATTER REDUCING DEVICE FOR USE WITH 2D MAMMOGRAPHY AND TOMOSYNTHESIS

• US 20190313989A1
• Filed: 06/06/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Inventors: FARBIZIO, Thomas, DEFREITAS, Kenneth F., SHAW, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 10,758,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/027 characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0414 with compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4291 the detector being combined with a grid or grating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing X-ray scatter during breast imaging, and more specifically during tomosynthesis imaging. In one embodiment, an anti-scatter grid having a plurality of septa may be configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray imaging device such that each septum of the plurality of septa extends along a direction substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging of the subject using the X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device may be operable in a tomosynthesis mode for imaging of a breast of the subject and may include the anti-scatter grid disposed between a breast platform and the X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid may be configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during tomosynthesis imaging.

Claims

1-36. -36. (canceled)

37. A method of reducing x-ray scatter in a tomosynthesis system comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, the method comprising:

positioning an anti-scatter grid between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector, wherein the anti-scatter grid comprises a plurality of septa;

orienting the plurality of septa in an orientation substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject;

compressing a breast of the subject;

moving the x-ray source along a path about the breast of the subject;

emitting a plurality of x-ray exposures from the x-ray source during movement of the x-ray source; and

during emission of the plurality of x-ray exposures from the x-ray source, moving the x-ray anti-scatter grid relative to at least one of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising coupling a motion of the anti-scatter grid to at least one of a motion of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises rotating the anti-scatter grid.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises translating the anti-scatter grid.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises moving the anti-scatter grid in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises moving the grid at a velocity.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein a profile of the velocity is at least one of substantially trapezoidal and substantially sinusoidal.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the velocity is effective to reduce a Moire pattern on an image obtained from a detection of at least one of the plurality of x-ray exposures by the x-ray detector.

45. A method of imaging a breast with an imaging system, the method comprising:

receiving a breast on a breast support platform, wherein an x-ray detector is disposed on a side of the breast support platform opposite the breast;

compressing the breast between the breast support platform and a breast compression paddle;

disposing an anti-scatter grid between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform;

imaging the breast in a first imaging mode, wherein the first imaging mode comprises a tomosynthesis imaging mode;

retracting the anti-scatter grid from between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform; and

imaging the breast in a second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode comprises a mammography imaging mode.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein during imaging in the first imaging mode, moving the anti-scatter grid relative to the breast.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising orienting a plurality of septa of the anti-scatter grid in an orientation substantially parallel to a coronal plate of a subject.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein during the first imaging mode, the x-ray detector rotates relative to the breast support platform.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein during the first imaging mode, the moving of the anti-scatter grid comprises a rotation substantially with the x-ray detector.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein during the first imaging mode, the moving of the anti-scatter grid further comprises moving the anti-scatter grid in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject.

51. The method of claim 45, further comprising coupling a movement of the anti-scatter grid with a movement of the x-ray detector during the first imaging mode.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the movement of the x-ray detector is a tilting movement.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising moving the x-ray source during the first imaging mode.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising, during the first imaging mode, emitting an x-ray energy from the x-ray source during movement of the x-ray source.

55. The method of claim 45, wherein the second imaging mode is performed subsequent to the first imaging mode.

56. The method of claim 45, wherein at least a portion of the second imaging mode is performed subsequent to the first imaging mode.