Method and Arrangement Relating to X-Ray Imaging

• US 20080198966A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Digital Mammography Sweden AB (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Sectra Mamea AB (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hjarn, Torbjorn, Hemmendorff, Magnus
• Granted Patent: US 10,682,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints

Abstract

Three-dimensional imaging of a breast tissue is achieved by acquiring a series of X-ray projection images from various angles. A three-dimensional image constructed from the projection images by a computer provides information to the operator to select a coordinate point within the breast from which to obtain a biopsy sample. Acquisition of projection images and construction of three-dimensional images is continued during the insertion of the needle into the breast, during positioning the needle towards the coordinate point, during the sampling and after the sampling. The advantages of utilizing tomosynthesis for breast tissue imaging over stereo imaging include better image quality, easier coordinate measurements within a tissue, ease of use of the equipment by the medical personnel, and fewer image artifact problems.

Claims

1. An apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and extraction of tissue from a human breast, comprising an acquisition means for acquiring a set of projection images of said breast, a reconstruction means for computing a three-dimensional image volume from said projection images, a needle for extracting tissue from said breast, an image analyzer for determining the orientation and location of said needle from said three-dimensional image volume or said projection images, a means for calculating a predicted path of said needle or the movement of said needle in order to reach a target position in said image volume, wherein said projection images are acquired such that directions of the projection through a point in said breast are essentially along a common plane, and the direction of said needle is substantially non-parallel to said plane.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a computer for computing a predicted path of said needle, wherein said predicted path is the path along which the needle will move if pushed deeper into the breast.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display is arranged to display an intersection of said predicted path and a layer in said image volume.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device for holding and moving said needle, wherein said device comprises a position sensor for determining the position of the needle, along the direction of said needle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guard means for preventing said needle being inserted beyond a boundary.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said target position is a coordinate in said three-dimensional image volume.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface for selecting said target position.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface for selecting a layer or slice in said image volume.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a means for a partial withdrawal of said needle and obtaining a second image for determining whether a target microcalc has been extracted.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a means for displaying the expected point of intersection of said needle in each of said layers.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said acquisition means comprises an X-ray source for emitting X-rays, and said direction of projection is the direction of the X-rays.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first and a second multi-slit collimators, and a means for holding either of said first collimator at a first position and said second collimator at a second position during acquisition of said projection images, wherein said second position is further from said breast, whereby the use of said first and second collimators provide different amount of free space around the breast.

13. An apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and extraction of tissue from a human breast, comprising an acquisition means for obtaining a set of projection images, a needle for extraction of tissue from a location in said breast, a reconstruction means for computing a three-dimensional image volume from said projection images, an image analyzer for determining the location and orientation of said needle from said projection images or data derived thereof, a display means for displaying said image volume together with overlay graphics for showing said location or said orientation or a predicted location, wherein said needle points in a needle direction, and said needle direction is substantially non-parallel to the projection direction through said location in said breast for each of the projection images.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a needle holder for holding and moving said needle, and a guard for preventing the needle moving beyond a boundary.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein movements of said needle can be controlled or constrained from a computer, and said guard is based on a known length of said needle and an angle of said needle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein movements of said needle can be controlled or constrained from a computer, and said guard is based on measured location of said needle.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, said needle holder comprising a position sensor or a scale for measurements of a movement along said needle.

18. A method for extraction of tissue from a body part in an apparatus for tomosynthesis, comprising the steps of holding said body part, acquiring a set of projection images from different angle of said body part, reconstructing a three-dimensional image volume from said projection images, selecting a target position, inserting a needle into said body part close to said target position but not at said target position, acquiring a second set of projection images and reconstructing a second three-dimensional image volume, measuring the needle position and orientation from said second set of projection images or image volume, performing a movement of said needle in direction along said needle for reaching said target position, and extracting said tissue, wherein said method is characterized by inserting said needle in a direction which is substantially non-parallel to the projection direction for each of said projection images.

19. A computer program comprising instructions for obtaining a set of projection images of a body part, computing a three-dimensional image volume from said projection images, displaying said image volume in a user interface, receiving a target position from said user interface, measuring a the location and orientation of a needle, displaying said location in said image volume, and computing a movement of said needle to reach a coordinate or layer in said image volume, wherein said instructions for measuring uses data from said projection images or data derived thereof, and said needle is non-parallel to a the principal plane containing the direction of projection for each of said projection images.