Apparatus and method for cone beam volume computed tomography breast imaging

• US 6,987,831 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Rochester
• Original Assignee: University of Rochester
• Inventors: Ning, Ruola
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US10/400,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20040081273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 378/37, 378/20
• US Class Current: 378/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3764 with a rotating C-arm having a cone beam emitting source
• 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 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0414 with compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0435 with means for imaging suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/06 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4085 Cone-beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 378/901 Computer tomography program or processor

Abstract

Cone beam volume CT breast imaging is performed with a gantry frame on which a cone-beam radiation source and a digital area detector are mounted. The patient rests on an ergonomically designed table with a hole or two holes to allow one breast or two breasts to extend through the table such that the gantry frame surrounds that breast. The breast hole is surrounded by a bowl so that the entire breast can be exposed to the cone beam. Spectral and compensation filters are used to improve the characteristics of the beam. A materials library is used to provide x-ray linear attenuation coefficients for various breast tissues and lesions.

Claims

1. A device for producing an image of a breast of a patient, the device comprising:

a gantry frame;

at least one motor for moving the gantry frame to form a data acquisition geometry in which image data are taken;

a source of a beam of radiation attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame;

a two-dimensional (2D) digital detector attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame, the 2D digital detector being disposed in a path of the beam of radiation; and

a table on which the patient rests while the image data are taken, the table supporting the patient such that the breast is disposed between the source of cone-beam radiation and the 2D digital detector, the table having a hole through which the breast extends and being configured such that an entirety of the breast extending through the hole is in the path of the beam of radiation;

wherein the at least one motor moves the gantry frame so that the 2D digital detector takes a volume scan of the breast; and

wherein the table has a second hole to permit an arm of the patient to drop through the second hole while the volume scan is taken.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device performs a scan geometry to avoid the patient'"'"'s arm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one motor moves the table laterally and longitudinally relative to the gantry to reposition the patient for a new scan.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an intensity modulator to reduce the radiation dose to the patient while achieving the uniform image quality of projections.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a computer-controlled collimator for reducing a radiation dose to the patient.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the table has two breast holes and two arm holes.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one motor moves the table laterally and longitudinally relative to the gantry to reposition the patient for a new scan.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the gantry frame and the table are configured such that the volume scan is taken of both of the patient'"'"'s breasts in a single scan.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the detector is sized to scan both of the patient'"'"'s breasts in a single scan.