Dose management system for mammographic tomosynthesis

• US 6,751,285 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Opsahl-Ong, Beale, Hewes, Ralph Allen, Eberhard, Jeffrey Wayne, Claus, Bernhard Erich Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US09/990,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 378/37
• US Class Current: 378/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1075 for measuring dimensions by non-invasive methods, e.g. for determining thickness of tissue layer A61B8/0858 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/544 dependent on patient size

Abstract

A method for acquiring a plurality of images of an object of interest using a tomosynthesis imaging system. The method includes determining a thickness of an object of interest, and adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process based on the determined thickness.

Claims

1. A method for acquiring a plurality of images of a breast using a tomosynthesis imaging system, said method comprising:

estimating a compression force to be applied to a breast wherein the force would be substantially equal to a force necessary to acquire an image if using a mammographic imaging system;

applying a compression force greater than 0 decaNewtons and less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to the breast using the tomosynthesis imaging system, wherein the compression force applied is less than the estimated compression force;

determining a thickness of the compressed breast;

adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process based on the determined thickness;

scanning the breast to generate a three-dimensional dataset; and

generating at least one three-dimensional image of the compressed breast using the three-dimensional dataset.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

acquiring a first view using the adjusted parameter;

adjusting at least one parameter based on the acquired view; and

acquiring a second view based on the parameter adjusted after acquiring the first view.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, a reconstruction parameter, wherein adjusting the reconstruction parameter comprises adjusting at least one of a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices, and a data acquisition parameter wherein adjusting the data acquisition parameter comprises adjusting a detector gain.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, a reconstruction parameter, and a data acquisition parameter wherein adjusting the data acquisition parameter comprises adjusting a detector gain.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter, wherein the acquisition geometry parameter comprises a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter, wherein the radiation control parameter comprises at least one of a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, and a radiation exposure time.

7. A method for acquiring a plurality of images of a breast using a tomosynthesis imaging system, said method comprising:

estimating a compression force to be applied to a breast wherein the force would be substantially equal to a force necessary to acquire an image if using a mammographic imaging system;

applying a compression force greater than 0 decaNewtons and less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to the breast using the tomosynthesis imaging system, wherein the compression force applied is less than the estimated compression force;

determining a thickness of the breast based on the compression force applied using the tomosynthesis imaging system;

adjusting at least one of a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle, a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, a radiation exposure time, a thickness of a reconstructed volume, a detector gain, and a quantity of reconstructed slices, based on the determined thickness;

scanning the breast to generate a three-dimensional dataset; and

generating at least one three-dimensional image of the compressed breast using the three-dimensional dataset.

8. A method for operating a tomosynthesis imaging system, said method comprising:

providing an object of interest;

estimating a first compression force to apply to the object of interest using a known mammography system, wherein an operator applies the first compression force to the object of interest until a patient experiences discomfort;

applying a second compression force, less than the first compression force, to the object of interest;

adjusting the second compression force such that a mammographic compressed breast thickness is increased by 0.5 cm for breasts having a compressed breast thickness of 2-4 cm, is increased by 0.75 cm for breasts having a compressed breast thickness between 4-6 cm, is increased by 1.0 cm for breasts having a compressed breast thickness between 6-8 cm, and is increased by 1.25 cm for breasts having a compressed breast thickness greater than 8 cm; and

using the adjusted mammographic compressed thickness to perform a tomosynthesis scan.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter, wherein said reconstruction parameter comprises at least one of a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter, wherein said acquisition geometry parameter comprises a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle.

12. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter, wherein said radiation control parameter comprises at least one of a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, and a radiation exposure time.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising:

acquiring a first view of the object of interest;

adjusting at least one parameter based on the acquired view; and

acquiring a second view based on the parameter adjusted after acquiring the first view.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein adjusting at least one parameter of an image acquisition process comprises adjusting at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, a reconstruction parameter, and a data acquisition parameter wherein adjusting the data acquisition parameter comprises adjusting a detector gain.

15. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising applying a compression force less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to the object of interest.

16. A tomosynthesis imaging system for acquiring a plurality of images of a breast, said tomosynthesis imaging system comprising;

a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns;

at least one radiation source;

a compression force indicator;

a compressed breast thickness indicator; and

a computer coupled to said detector array and said radiation source and configured to;

compress the breast, using the tomosynthesis imaging system, until a patient experiences discomfort;

reduce the compression force applied to the breast such that a mammographic compressed breast thickness is increased by at least approximately 0.5 cm;

determine a thickness of the breast based on the reduced compression force;

adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process based on the determined thickness of the breast;

scan the breast such that a plurality of two-dimensional images of the breast are generated; and

generate at least one three-dimensional image of the breast using the plurality of two-dimensional images of the breast.

17. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said reconstruction parameter comprises at least one of a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices.

18. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said radiation control parameter comprises at least one of a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, and a radiation exposure time.

19. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said computer further configured to:

acquire a first view using the adjusted parameter;

adjust at least one parameter based on the acquired view; and

acquire a second view based on the parameter adjusted after acquiring the first view.

20. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said computer further configured to apply a compression force less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to the breast.

21. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, a reconstruction parameter, and a data acquisition parameter wherein adjusting the data acquisition parameter comprises adjusting a detector gain.

22. A tomosynthesis imaging system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said acquisition geometry parameter comprises a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle.

23. A tomosynthesis imaging system for acquiring a plurality of images of a breast, said tomosynthesis imaging system comprising;

a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns;

at least one radiation source;

a compression force indicator;

a compressed breast thickness indicator; and

a computer coupled to said detector array and said radiation source and configured to;

compress the breast, using the tomosynthesis imaging system, until a patient experiences discomfort;

reduce the compression force applied to the breast such that a mammographic compressed breast thickness is increased by at least approximately 0.5 cm;

determine a thickness of the breast based on the reduced compression force;

adjust at least one of a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle, a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, a radiation exposure time, a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices based on the determined thickness of the breast;

scan the breast such that a plurality of two-dimensional images of the breast are generated; and

generate at least one three-dimensional image of the breast using the plurality of two-dimensional images.

24. A computer readable medium encoded with a program executable by a computer for controlling an imaging system, the imaging system including a radiation source and a digital detector, said program configured to instruct the computer to:

estimate a compression force to be applied to a breast wherein the force would be substantially equal to a force necessary to acquire an image if using a mammographic imaging system;

apply a compression force greater than 0 decaNewtons and less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to an object of interest wherein the compression force applied is less than the estimated compression force;

determine a thickness of the object of interest;

adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process based on the determined thickness;

scan the breast such that a plurality of two-dimensional images of the breast are generated; and

generate at least one three-dimensional image of the breast using the plurality of two-dimensional images.

25. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 24 wherein said program further configured to instruct the computer:

acquire a first view using the adjusted parameter;

adjust at least one parameter based on acquired view; and

acquire a second view based on the parameter adjusted after acquiring the first view.

26. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 24 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, a reconstruction parameter, and a data acquisition parameter wherein adjusting the data acquisition parameter comprises adjusting a detector gain.

27. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 24 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said acquisition geometry parameter comprises a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle.

28. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 24 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said radiation control parameter comprises at least one of a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, and a radiation exposure time.

29. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 24 wherein to adjust at least one parameter of an image acquisition process, said computer further configured to adjust at least one of an acquisition geometry parameter, a radiation control parameter, and a reconstruction parameter wherein said reconstruction parameter comprises at least one of a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices.

30. A computer readable medium encoded with a program executable by a computer for calibration of a tomosynthesis imaging system, the imaging system including a radiation source and a digital detector, said program configured to instruct the computer to:

estimate a compression force to be applied to a breast wherein the force would be substantially equal to a force necessary to acquire an image if using a mammographic imaging system;

apply a compression force greater than 0 decaNewtons and less than approximately 22 decaNewtons to the breast using the tomosynthesis imaging system, wherein the compression force applied is less than the estimated compression force;

determine a thickness of the breast based on the compression force applied using the tomosynthesis imaging system; and

adjust at least one of a geometry parameter to acquire a first view at a first angle and a second view at a second angle, a radiation source anode, a radiation source filter, a radiation source voltage, a radiation source current, a radiation exposure time, a thickness of a reconstructed volume, and a quantity of reconstructed slices based on the determined thickness of the breast

scan the breast to generate a three-dimensional dataset; and

generate at least one three-dimensional image of the compressed breast using the three-dimensional dataset.