Integrated multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis X-ray system and method
First Claim
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1. A breast tomosynthesis system comprising:
- an arm assembly;
an x-ray source rotatably connected to the arm assembly;
a compression paddle comprising a front end and a rear end;
a biasing mechanism connecting the compression paddle to the arm assembly, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to cause the front end of the compression paddle to tilt about a connection axis disposed proximate a connection of the compression paddle and the arm assembly; and
a controller for controlling the x-ray source in a plurality of imaging modes, wherein the x-ray source is configured to rotate relative to the compression paddle about an axis for at least one of the plurality of imaging modes.
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Abstract
A system for multi-mode breast x-ray Imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and an x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A breast tomosynthesis system comprising:
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an arm assembly; an x-ray source rotatably connected to the arm assembly; a compression paddle comprising a front end and a rear end; a biasing mechanism connecting the compression paddle to the arm assembly, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to cause the front end of the compression paddle to tilt about a connection axis disposed proximate a connection of the compression paddle and the arm assembly; and a controller for controlling the x-ray source in a plurality of imaging modes, wherein the x-ray source is configured to rotate relative to the compression paddle about an axis for at least one of the plurality of imaging modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A breast tomosynthesis system comprising:
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a housing; an x-ray source and an x-ray imaging receptor having first and second lateral sides, wherein both of the x-ray source and the x-ray imaging receptor are supported by the housing; an arm assembly secured to the housing; a receptor housing extending from the arm assembly and concealing the receptor, said receptor housing having a generally flat upper surface having lateral sides and configured to support a patient'"'"'s breast between the source and the receptor, with the breast extending away from the patient in a direction generally parallel to said lateral sides of the upper surface of the receptor housing; wherein the x-ray source is connected to the housing for rotational movement relative to the upper surface of the receptor housing from a position closer to one of said lateral sides of the upper surface of the receptor housing to a position closer to the other lateral side of the upper surface of the receptor housing; a compression paddle comprising a front end and a rear end, wherein the compression paddle is disposed generally between the source and the receptor housing; and a biasing mechanism configured to removably connect the compression paddle to the arm assembly, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to cause the front end to tilt against a bias force relative to the receptor housing as a patient'"'"'s breast is being compressed between the paddle and the upper surface of the receptor housing such that the front end is further from the upper surface of the receptor housing than the rear end. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A breast tomosynthesis system comprising:
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an x-ray source and an x-ray imaging receptor having first and second lateral sides; an arm assembly; a receptor housing extending from the arm assembly and concealing the receptor, said receptor housing having a generally flat upper surface having lateral sides and configured to support a patient'"'"'s breast between the source and the receptor, with the breast extending away from the patient in a direction generally parallel to said lateral sides of the upper surface of the receptor housing; a compression paddle connected to the arm assembly at a connection and comprising a front end and a rear end; a biasing mechanism configured to cause the front end of the compression paddle to tilt about a connection axis disposed proximate a connection of the compression paddle and the arm assembly; and a controller for controlling the x-ray source in a plurality of imaging modes, wherein the x-ray source is configured to rotate relative to the compression paddle about an axis for at least one of the plurality of imaging modes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification