X-RAY SCATTER REDUCING DEVICE FOR USE WITH 2D MAMMOGRAPHY AND TOMOSYNTHESIS

• US 20180220980A1
• Filed: 02/26/2018
• Published: 08/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Inventors: FARBIZIO, Thomas, DEFREITAS, Kenneth F., SHAW, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 10,335,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• 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 6/0414 with compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4291 the detector being combined with a grid or grating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing X-ray scatter during breast imaging, and more specifically during tomosynthesis imaging. In one embodiment, an anti-scatter grid having a plurality of septa may be configured to he positioned relative to an X-ray imaging device such that each septum of the plurality of septa extends along a direction substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging of the subject using the X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device may be operable in a tomosynthesis mode for imaging of a breast of the subject and may include the anti-scatter grid disposed between a breast platform and the X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid may be configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during tomosynthesis imaging.

Claims

1-36. -36. (canceled)

37. A multi-mode imaging apparatus comprising:

an X-ray source operable in at least a mammography mode and a tomosynthesis mode;

a detector;

an anti-scatter grid positioned between the X-ray source and the detector, wherein the anti-scatter grid comprises a plurality of septa wherein at least one septa of the plurality of septa extends substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging by the X-ray source; and

a motor coupled to the anti-scatter grid and configured to selectively move the anti-scatter grid, wherein the anti-scatter grid is retracted out of a field of view of the X-ray source in the mammography mode, wherein the anti-scatter grid is configured to move at least partially within a field of view of the X-ray source in the tomosynthesis mode, and wherein during imaging by the X-ray source in the tomosynthesis mode, the anti-scatter grid is movable in a direction wherein the at least one septa maintains substantially parallel orientation to the coronal plane of the subject.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the motor comprises a linear motor coupled to the anti-scatter grid.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the linear motor is configured to move the anti-scatter grid in a trapezoidal velocity profile.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the motor comprises a rotary motor coupled to the anti-scatter grid.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the rotary motor is configured to move the anti-scatter grid in a sinusoidal velocity profile.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the anti-scatter grid comprises an elongated opening and the rotary motor comprises an eccentric inserted through the elongated opening such that a gap is formed between the anti-scatter grid and the rotary motor.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the elongated opening extends substantially parallel to the plurality of septa.

44. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the motor is configured to retract the anti-scatter grid out of the field of view of the X-ray source in the mammography mode.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the motor is coupled to the anti-scatter grid via a lead screw.

46. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each septa of the plurality of septa extends along the direction that is substantially parallel to the coronal plane.

47. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein at least another septa of the plurality of septa is off-angle of the direction that is substantially parallel to the coronal plane.

48. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the anti-scatter grid is configured to move in a rotational direction that corresponds to a rotational movement of the X-ray source in the tomosythesis mode.

49. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of septa are arranged in a focused configuration, being oriented towards a focal spot of an X-ray emitted by the X-ray source.

50. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the anti-scatter grid has a density of at least 70 septa per centimeter.

51. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each septa of the plurality of septa is substantially linear.

52. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of septa are arranged in a parallel configuration.

53. A multi-mode imaging apparatus comprising:

an X-ray source operable in at least a mammography mode and a tomosynthesis mode;

a detector;

an anti-scatter grid positioned between the X-ray source and the detector, wherein the anti-scatter grid comprises a plurality of septa and at least one septa extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging by the X-ray source; and

a rotary motor coupled to the anti-scatter grid and configured to selectively move the anti-scatter grid, wherein the anti-scatter grid is retracted out of a field of view of the X-ray source in the mammography mode and the anti-scatter grid is configured to move at least partially within a field of view of the X-ray source in the tomosynthesis mode.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the anti-scatter grid moves in a direction that is substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during imaging by the X-ray source in the tomosythesis mode.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the direction that is substantially parallel to the sagittal plane is a first direction, and wherein the anti-scatter grid moves in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the coronal plane in the tomosysthesis mode.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the rotary motor is configured to move the anti-scatter grid in a sinusoidal velocity profile.