System and method for low dose tomosynthesis
First Claim
1. A method of imaging a breast using a multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, the method comprising:
- acquiring a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the first x-ray dose is emitted from an emission source when the emission source is stationary; and
acquiring a set of tomosynthesis images of the breast in a second mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the set of tomosynthesis images is acquired from a plurality of projection images, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is acquired at a projection image x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, wherein each projection image x-ray dose is emitted when the emission source is rotating relative to the breast.
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Abstract
A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of imaging a breast using a multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, the method comprising:
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acquiring a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the first x-ray dose is emitted from an emission source when the emission source is stationary; and acquiring a set of tomosynthesis images of the breast in a second mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the set of tomosynthesis images is acquired from a plurality of projection images, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is acquired at a projection image x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, wherein each projection image x-ray dose is emitted when the emission source is rotating relative to the breast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system comprising:
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an x-ray source configured to move along an arc; and an x-ray detector; wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are configured to (a) acquire a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation, wherein the two-dimensional image is acquired when the x-ray source is stationary and (b) acquire a set of tomosynthesis images of the breast in a second mode of operation, wherein the set of tomosynthesis images is acquired with a plurality of projection images, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is acquired at a projection image x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, and wherein the plurality of projection images are acquired when the x-ray source is moving along the arc. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of imaging a breast using a multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, the method comprising:
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acquiring a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the first x-ray dose is emitted from a stationary position; and acquiring a set of projection images of the breast in a second mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein each image of the set of projection images is acquired at a second x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, wherein the second x-ray dose is emitted during a rotational movement of an x-ray source that emits the x-ray. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification