Motion Compensated High Throughput Fast 3D Radiography System with Heavy Duty High Power Multiple Pulsed X-ray Sources

Abstract

An X-ray tomosynthesis imaging system using multiple pulsed X-ray source pairs in-motion to perform highly efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography is presented. Sources are mounted on a structure in motion to form pairs. The sources move simultaneously on a predefined arc trajectory at a constant speed as a group. In one pair, each individual source also moves rapidly around its static position in a small distance, but one moves in opposite direction to the other to cancel out momentum. When one source has a speed that is equal to group speed but with opposite direction, the source and X-ray detector are activated through an external exposure trigger. This allows the source to stay relatively standstill during activation. It results in much reduced travel distance for individual source. 3D data can be acquired with wider sweep angle in shorter time and image analysis is real-time. Heavy duty source can be used.

Description

[0001]The present invention claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 182,426 filed on Apr. 30, 2021; 63 / 226,508 filed Jul. 28, 2021; 63 / 170,288 filed Apr. 2 2021, 63 / 175,952 filed Apr. 16, 2021, 63 / 194,071 filed May 27, 2021; 63 / 188,919 filed May 14, 2021; 63 / 225,194 filed Jul. 23, 2021; 63 / 209,498 filed Jun. 11, 2021; 63 / 214,913 filed Jun. 25, 2021; 63 / 220,924 filed Jul. 12, 2021; 63 / 222,847 filed Jul. 16, 2021; 63 / 224,521 filed Jul. 22, 2021; and U.S. application Ser. No. 17 / 149,133 filed Jan. 24, 2021, which in turn claims priority to Provisional Ser. 62 / 967,325 filed Jan. 29, 2020, the content of which is incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This patent specification is in the field of 3D X-ray radiography systems and methods and particularly to fast tomosynthesis using high power pulsed X-ray source and large field, digital rigid or flexible panel X-ray detectors.BACKGROUND[0003]For digital X-ray 3D radiography like mammography, high resolution is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new X-ray imaging system that uses multiple pulsed X-ray sources in motion to perform 3D radiography. The X-ray sources move simultaneously relative to an object on a pre-defined arc trajectory at a constant speed as a group. The X-ray sources can move quickly around their static position to acquire data from a wider sweep angle in a much shorter time. The system can be used for various applications such as 3D mammography, tomosynthesis, and chest X-ray diagnosis. The use of flexible X-ray detectors and curved geometry can minimize distortion and make it possible to acquire high-resolution and high-contrast images. The system can also go a wider sweep to acquire more data projections faster, reducing misdiagnosis rate. The use of heavy-duty X-ray sources and motion-compensated technology can extend the applications of the system beyond medical digital tomosynthesis to industrial and security inspection.

Problems solved by technology

However, for high power heavy-duty X-source, it is more difficult to move the source and sweeping motion would be slow.

Another disadvantage is that a single X-ray source takes a very long time to acquire good data projections.

Yet another disadvantage is that it is difficult to do real-time reconstruction because the scan is too slow.

Further, using rigid X-ray flat panel detector has worse geometry distortion.

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