Tomosynthesis X-ray mammogram system and method with automatic drive system
First Claim
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- an X-ray source operable to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
an arc shaped track on which the X-ray source is mounted; and
a mechanical driving mechanism operable to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path, and comprising a first arm, having a first portion connected to the X-ray source and a second portion connected to a motor configured to provide torque to the second portion of the first arm to move the X-ray source alone the arc shaped track.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system includes an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path and a stationary electronic X-ray detector. The system also includes a track and a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method includes mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track and irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path. The method also includes detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with an electronic X-ray detector, and constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.
183 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source operable to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
an arc shaped track on which the X-ray source is mounted; and
a mechanical driving mechanism operable to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path, and comprising a first arm, having a first portion connected to the X-ray source and a second portion connected to a motor configured to provide torque to the second portion of the first arm to move the X-ray source alone the arc shaped track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source operable to move in an arc shaped path and connected to a first portion of a first arm;
an arc shaped track on which the X-ray source is mounted to allow the X-ray source to move in the arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector positioned opposite to the X-ray source; and
mechanical driving mechanism operable to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is connected to the mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to rotate the second portion of the first arm to move the X-ray source along the arc shaped track. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source mounted onto an upper portion of a first arm;
a second arm having a first side and a second side, a stationary electronic X-ray detector mounted facing the X-ray source to the first side of the second arm such that an imaging volume is formed above the electronic X-ray detector;
a shaft rotatably connecting a middle portion of the first arm to a middle portion of the second side of the second arm;
a linear motion track operable to move relative to the second arm; and
a mechanical driving mechanism operable to move a lower portion of the first arm along the linear motion track such that the X-ray source moves in an arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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a first means for irradiating a patient'"'"'s breast with an X-ray dose at plurality of steps along an arc shaped path;
a second means for mechanically moving the first means in a stepped motion on the arc shaped path around the patient'"'"'s breast including an arm displaced in rotation by a drive motor using a track;
a third means for detecting the X-rays transmitted through the patient'"'"'s breast; and
a fourth means for constructing a three dimensional image of the patient'"'"'s breast from a signal output by the third means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:
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mechanically moving an X-ray source by a first arm rotated by motor in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track;
irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with a stationary electronic X-ray detector; and
constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
an arc shaped track, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the arc shaped track; and
a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the arc shaped track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. An imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
a linear motion track, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the linear motion track; and
a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a ball screw configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the linear motion track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
an arc shaped track provided to allow the X-ray source to move in the arc shaped path, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the arc shaped track;
a stationary electronic X-ray detector positioned opposite to the X-ray source; and
a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the arc shaped track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path.
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33. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:
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mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track by moving a first portion of a first arm on arc shaped track while a second portion of the first arm supports the X-ray source;
irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with a stationary electronic X-ray detector; and
constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.
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34. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:
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mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track by moving a first arm supporting the X-ray source on a linear motion track while allowing relative motion between the track and second arm supporting an electronic X-ray detector;
irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with the electronic X-ray detector; and
constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.
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Specification