Continuous scan RAD tomosynthesis system and method

• US 6,970,531 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke University, General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Duke University, General Electric Company
• Inventors: Dobbins, James Talmage III, Alkhalidy, Abdulrahman Abdallah, Godfrey, Devon James, Eberhard, Jeffrey Wayne, Claus, Bernhard Erich Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Allen C.
• Application Number:
  US10/265,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 378 21- 27, 378/197, 378/2, 378/196
• US Class Current: 378/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network

Abstract

An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a linear path relative to the object. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object. The processing unit is coupled to the x-ray detector for processing the x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of the region of the object.

Claims

1. An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object, said imaging system comprising:

an x-ray source positioned a predetermined distance from said object and continuously moving along a linear path relative to said object, said x-ray source transmitting x-ray radiation through said region of said object a plurality of predetermined locations along said path while said x-ray source is continuously moving along said path relative to said object;

a motion controller coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moving said x-ray source along said path relative to said object wherein continuously moving said x-ray source minimizes vibration in said imaging system, and wherein said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a first velocity at said plurality of predetermined locations along said pert and said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a second velocity outside said plurality of predetermined locations along said path, and wherein the second velocity is different from the first velocity;

an x-ray detector positioned a predetermined distance from said x-ray source, the x-ray detector detecting said x-ray radiation transmitted through said region of said object, said x-ray detector acquiring x-ray image data representative of said region of said object wherein said x-ray image data is acquired by said x-ray detector at a rate relative to said moving x-ray source; and

a processing unit coupled to said x-ray detector for processing said x-ray image data into at least one tornosynthesis image of said region of said object.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray image data comprises a plurality of low dose projection radiographs.

3. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said processing unit performs a deblurring operation on said x-ray image data to reduce the effects of blurring caused at least by continuously moving said x-ray source.

4. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein exposure time of transmitting said x-ray radiation through said region of said object at said plurality of predetermined locations is a predetermined time.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein said predetermined time is 2.5 milliseconds.

6. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the x-ray detector comprises a RAD x-ray detector.

7. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector is connected to the motion controller and is selectively movable relative to said object.

8. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray detector is stationary relative to said object.

9. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance that said x-ray source is positioned relative to a plane of said object comprises a fixed distance.

10. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said x-ray source comprises an x-ray tube.

11. A method for generating a tomosynthesis image of a region of an object using an imaging system, said method comprising the steps of:

continuously moving an x-ray source along a linear path positioned a predetermined distance from said object wherein continuously moving said x-ray source minimizes vibration in said imaging system;

transmitting x-ray radiation through said region of said object from a plurality of predetermined locations along said path while said x-ray source is continuously moving along said path relative to said object, wherein continuously moving said x-ray source comprises continuously moving said x-ray source at a first velocity at said plurality of predetermined locations along said path; and

continuously moving said x-ray source at a second velocity outside said plurality of predetermined locations along said path, and wherein the second velocity is different from the first velocity;

detecting said x-ray radiation transmitted through said region of said object;

acquiring x-ray image data representative of said region of said object, wherein said x-ray image data is acquired at a rate relative to said moving x-ray source; and

processing said x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of said region of said object.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said x-ray image data comprises several low dose projection radiographs.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of performing a deblurring operation on said x-ray image data to reduce the effects of blurring caused at least by continuously moving said x-ray source.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting said x-ray radiation comprises transmitting said x-ray radiation for a predetermined time at said plurality of predetermined locations.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said predetermined time comprises about 2.5 milliseconds.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of detecting said x-ray radiation comprises using an x-ray detector to detect said x-ray radiation.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said x-ray detector comprises a RAD x-ray detector.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of selectively moving said x-ray detector relative to said object.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said x-ray detector remains stationary relative to said object.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said predetermined distance that said x-ray source is positioned relative to a plane of said object comprises a fixed distance.