Tomosynthesis Gain Calibration and Image Correction

Abstract

The present application discloses a tomosynthesis system and method for directly combining a high-dose gain map or a high-resolution component of a high-dose gain map with a low-resolution component of a low-dose gain map at multiple imaging parameters to efficiently generate a high-quality gain map at multiple imaging parameters and perform gain correction on an x-ray image. In a first aspect, a method for gain calibration at multiple imaging parameters for a tomosynthesis sweep is disclosed. In a second aspect, a tomosynthesis system for gain calibration at multiple projection angles is disclosed. In a third aspect, a method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep is disclosed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application was filed on September 22, 2022 as a PCT international patent application claiming priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 247,503, filed on September 23, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] background Breast cancer and other breast pathologies remain a significant threat to women's health. X-ray mammography and breast tomosynthesis are the most widely used tools for early detection, screening, and diagnosis. Breast tomosynthesis is a technology that allows physicians to view multiple images of the breast, rather than the single image available from a conventional mammogram.

[0003] For example, traditional mammography provides physicians with a single two-dimensional (2D) image to evaluate the breast. However, this can be limited due to overlapping layers of tissue, which can result in unclear results, false alarms, or cause physicians to miss cancerous growths. In contrast, instead of taking images of the breast from top to bottom and side to side as traditional mammography does, digital breast tomosynthesis follows the curvature of the breast and takes several images of the breast as it moves. The images are then put together into a crisp, clear three-dimensional (3D) image that allows physicians to better evaluate the patient's breast. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] overview SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to tomosynthesis methods and systems for gain calibration and correction of breast images associated with breast tomosynthesis methods.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for gain calibration in multiple imaging parameters for a tomosynthesis sweep is disclosed. The method includes performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to obtain a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of a plurality of imaging parameters; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose x-ray image; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of imaging parameters; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a plurality of component levels; extracting low-resolution components from the plurality of component levels for each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps; and combining the high-dose gain map with each of the low-resolution components of the low-dose gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters.

[0006] In a second aspect, a tomosynthesis system for gain calibration at multiple projection angles is disclosed. The system includes an image acquisition unit with an x-ray source and an x-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection x-ray images of an object at multiple projection angles, a processor, and a memory including instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the multiple projection angles, generate a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, generate a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose x-ray image, and averaging the high-dose gain map at a first plurality of component levels. and a memory for decomposing the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a first plurality of component levels, extracting a high resolution component from the first plurality of component levels, generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps associated with one of a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of a plurality of projection angles, decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels, extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps, the low resolution component including an angle map, and combining, for each of the plurality of projection angles, the high resolution component of the high-dose gain map with each of the low resolution components of the low-dose gain map to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep is disclosed, the method includes performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of multiple projection angles, generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, generating a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose x-ray image, decomposing the high-dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels, extracting high resolution components from the first plurality of component levels, and generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps. the method includes: decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels, the low-resolution components including an angle map, the low-resolution components including an angle map, and combining the high-resolution components with each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps for each of the plurality of projection angles to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) 1. A method for gain calibration in multiple imaging parameters for a tomosynthesis sweep, the method comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of imaging parameters; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with said high dose x-ray image; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of imaging parameters; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a plurality of component levels; extracting low resolution components from the plurality of component levels for each of the plurality of low dose gain maps; combining the high-dose gain map with the respective low-resolution components of the low-dose gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters; A method comprising: (Item 2) storing the final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters; acquiring a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of imaging parameters; gain correcting the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain maps for each of the plurality of imaging parameters to produce a gain corrected breast image. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (Item 3) 3. The method of any of items 1 to 2, wherein the imaging parameters include one of projection angle, kVp, type of filter material, breast thickness, and grid position. (Item 4) 4. The method of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed by an image acquisition unit comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of the object at the multiple imaging parameters. (Item 5) generating the high dose gain map determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with said high dose x-ray image; determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high dose x-ray image; calculating a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, the gain correction factor being the product of the average signal count and the inverse of the raw signal count for that particular pixel; assembling the gain correction factors for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high dose gain map; 5. The method according to any one of items 1 to 4, comprising: (Item 6) 6. The method of any of items 1 to 5, wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps comprises decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each level of the plurality of resolution levels including a detail image and a residual image. (Item 7) 7. The method of claim 6, wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process. (Item 8) 8. The method according to any of items 6 to 7, wherein extracting the low resolution component comprises extracting a low resolution component from the residual image of a last level of the plurality of resolution levels. (Item 9) 9. The method of any of items 1 to 8, wherein the high dose gain map includes pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of an X-ray detector. (Item 10) 10. The method of any of items 1 to 9, wherein the low resolution components include one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data. (Item 11) 1. A tomosynthesis imaging system for gain calibration at multiple projection angles, the system comprising: an image acquisition unit comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of an object at the plurality of projection angles; A processor; A memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with said high dose x-ray image; decomposing the high dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels; Extracting high resolution components from the first plurality of component levels; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels; extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low dose gain maps, the low resolution component including an angle map; combining, for each of the plurality of projection angles, the high resolution components of the high dose gain map with the low resolution components of the low dose gain map to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles; memory and A system comprising: (Item 12) The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: storing the final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles; acquiring a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of projection angles; gain correcting the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain maps for each of the plurality of projection angles to produce a gain corrected breast image. Item 12. The system according to item 11, further comprising: (Item 13) 13. The system of any of items 11 to 12, wherein the one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection X-ray images of a phantom. (Item 14) The instructions, when executed by the processor to generate the high dose gain map, cause the processor to: determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with said high dose x-ray image; determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high dose x-ray image; calculating a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, the gain correction factor being the product of the average signal count and the inverse of the raw signal count for that particular pixel; assembling the gain correction factors for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high dose gain map; 14. The system according to any one of items 11 to 13, (Item 15) 15. The system of any of items 11 to 14, wherein decomposing the high dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low dose gain maps includes decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each level of the plurality of resolution levels including a detail image and a residual image. (Item 16) Item 16. The system of item 15, wherein decomposing the high-dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process. (Item 17) 17. The system of claim 15, wherein extracting the high resolution component comprises extracting a high resolution component from the detail image at a level above a last level of the plurality of resolution levels, and extracting the low resolution component comprises extracting a low resolution component from the residual image at a last level of the plurality of resolution levels. (Item 18) 18. The system of any of items 11 to 17, wherein the high resolution component includes pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of an X-ray detector. (Item 19) 19. The system of any of items 11 to 18, wherein the low resolution components further include one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data. (Item 20) 1. A method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep, the method comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with said high dose x-ray image; decomposing the high dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels; Extracting high resolution components from the first plurality of component levels; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels; extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low dose gain maps, the low resolution component including an angle map; combining the high resolution component with each of the low resolution components for each of the plurality of projection angles to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles; A method comprising: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] The following drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended to be used in conjunction with the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a typical imaging system.

[0010] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the imaging system of FIG. 1A.

[0011] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of an image correction engine of the system of FIG. 1A.

[0012] [Diagram 3] An example of a schematic diagram of the components of a gain map is shown in Figure 3. In some examples, the gain map is composed of contributions from different sources in the system.

[0013] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example schematic of the decomposition of a gain map into multi-scale components.

[0014] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep.

[0015] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for image correction to compensate for gain offset in a tomosynthesis process.

[0016] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a suitable operating environment in which one or more of the examples of the present invention may be implemented.

[0017] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example network in which the various systems and methods disclosed herein may operate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Detailed Description Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, any examples described herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely to set forth some of the many possible embodiments of the appended claims.

[0019] Digital tomosynthesis is a "three-dimensional" process in which several two-dimensional projection views are acquired, each at a different angle, but each at a lower x-ray dose compared to a conventional mammogram, and are reconstructed into tomosynthesis slice views that may be along any desired plane within the breast and can represent any thickness of breast tissue. The combined reconstructed tomosynthesis image set thus represents the entire thickness of the breast within a stack of two-dimensional images. With tomosynthesis, the breast is immobilized or compressed to the same or lesser extent than in conventional mammography.

[0020] When digital flat panel x-ray imaging receptors are used in acquiring tomosynthesis images, one practical requirement is to provide gain calibration. The imaging receptor may contain a two-dimensional array of millions of imaging pixels, and there may be inherent differences in the response of different imaging pixels to impinging x-rays. If all imaging pixels receive the same x-ray exposure, ideally each should provide the same electrical output signal (pixel value).

[0021] However, in practice, this may not be the case and there are typically differences between the pixel values ​​provided by different imaging pixels when exposed to the same X-ray input. In addition, the incident X-ray intensity across the detector surface is usually non-uniform. For example, due to the "heel effect", the X-ray intensity drops off along the direction from the chest wall to the nipple. Various gain calibration and image correction techniques are employed to correct the pixel value differences in response to uniform X-ray exposure and to correct for the non-uniform X-ray intensity distribution across the surface area of ​​the X-ray imaging detector.

[0022] Typically, in an inspection or maintenance of a conventional X-ray mammography system, the flat panel imager is exposed to the X-ray field through a phantom that simulates a patient's breast, has a roughly uniform thickness, and is made of a uniform material, and differences between pixel values ​​are recorded and a gain correction map is generated that takes into account such differences. This can be done periodically during the useful life of the flat panel X-ray receptor. The gain map is stored in the imaging system, and when an X-ray image of the patient's breast is taken during an actual imaging procedure, software in the system corrects the acquired pixel values ​​according to the gain map to bring them closer to the pixel values ​​that would have resulted if all imaging pixels had the same response to uniform exposure to X-ray energy.

[0023] In conventional mammography, one gain map is typically acquired per viewing mode or x-ray filter mode. Gain calibration can therefore be used to compensate for sensitivity differences between detector pixels and non-uniform x-ray field strengths, given a particular physical relationship between the x-ray source and the imaging detector.

[0024] However, tomosynthesis imaging is characterized by a much larger number of changes in x-ray source projection angle during x-ray exposure, much less x-ray exposure of the breast at any one of the projection angles, and other significant differences from conventional mammography imaging. As a result, gain maps typical of conventional mammography cannot be expected to work well in tomosynthesis image acquisition and image correction, especially when the tomosynthesis projection angles may vary depending on the imaging protocol or decisions or preferences of the medical professional in charge (e.g., the imaging technician).

[0025] One solution for gain-corrected images acquired during the tomosynthesis process involves acquiring a gain map image at each field angle to make the gain-corrected image flat at all angles. However, tomosynthesis methods may involve acquiring images at 15 or even 60 individual angles. In such cases, a gain map for each of these angles is required to perform proper gain correction. Each gain map requires high x-ray dose exposure to maintain good photon statistics to reduce image noise, which makes gain calibration a very expensive tube-loading procedure. Therefore, a better and more efficient gain mapping method is needed.

[0026] The gain mapping consists of contributions from different sources in the system, e.g., detector pixel-to-pixel variation effects, tube heel effects, field of view effects, filters, anti-scatter grids, kilovoltage peak (KVp), phantom thickness, etc. Among the various components of the final gain map, the detector pixel-to-pixel variations are the most dose-demanding task and require high-dose exposure to measure them reliably. Other components of the final gain map carry low-frequency information and do not require high-dose exposure for measurement.

[0027] A multi-scale decomposition can be performed to analyze the gain map at different scales and layers, for example, the gain map can be the product of a high-resolution component map and a low-resolution component map.

[0028] In general, high-resolution detailed images may appear flat and may not contain information about image tilt related to factors such as heel effect and field-of-view effect. The high-resolution layer may mainly contain detector pixel-to-pixel variation information. Meanwhile, the low-resolution residual image may clearly show heel effect, field-of-view effect, and other low-frequency coefficients. The low-resolution residual image may be acquired using a low-dose exposure. The low-resolution layer may contain tube heel effect, field-of-view angle effect, filter effect, anti-scatter grid effect, KVp effect, and phantom thickness effect.

[0029] The component maps of tomosynthesis gain maps at two different angles may typically look identical except for the angle map. In other words, the component maps related to detector pixel-to-pixel variations, tube heel effect, filters, anti-scatter grids, KVp, and phantom thickness effects are nearly identical at different angles. The main difference between tomosynthesis gain maps at two different angles is the angle map.

[0030] The disclosed system and method can combine all components except the angle map together and treat it as a common reference map. The common reference map can then be combined with each angle map associated with each angle of the tomosynthesis process. Thus, the disclosed system and method helps to avoid high x-ray dose exposure at each view angle while still maintaining good photon statistics to reduce image noise.

[0031] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary imaging system 100, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the imaging system 100. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1A and 1B, not all elements described below are shown in both figures. The imaging system 100 immobilizes a patient's breast 102 for X-ray imaging (either or both of mammography, tomosynthesis, or other imaging modalities) via a breast compression immobilizer unit 104 including a static breast support platform 106 and a movable paddle 108. Different paddles, each having a different purpose, are known in the art. Specific example paddles are also described herein for context. The breast support platform 106 and the paddle 108 each have compression surfaces 110 and 112, respectively, that move toward one another to compress, immobilize, stabilize, or otherwise hold and immobilize the breast 102 during the imaging procedure. In known systems, the compression surfaces 110, 112 are exposed to direct contact with the breast 102. Either or both of these compression surfaces 110, 112 may be rigid plastic, flexible plastic, resilient foam, mesh or screen, etc. The platform 106 also houses an image receptor 116 and, optionally, a tilt mechanism 118, and, optionally, an anti-scatter grid (not shown, but provided above the image receptor 116). The fixator unit 104 is in the path of an imaging beam 120 emanating from an x-ray source 122 such that the beam 120 impinges on the image receptor 116.

[0032] The fixator unit 104 is supported on a first support arm 124 via a compression arm 134 that is configured to be raised and lowered along the support arm 124. The X-ray source 122 is supported on a second support arm, also called a tube head 126. For mammography, the support arms 124 and 126 can rotate as a unit about an axis 128 between different imaging orientations, such as CC and MLO, so that the system 100 can take mammographic projection images in each orientation. In operation, the image receptor 116 remains in a fixed position relative to the platform 106 while images are taken. The fixator unit 104 releases the breast 102 to allow the arms 124, 126 to move to different imaging orientations. For tomosynthesis, the support arm 124 remains in place and immobilizes the breast 102 to remain in place while at least a second support arm 126 rotates the x-ray source 122 about an axis 128 relative to the fixator unit 104 and compressed breast 102. The system 100 takes multiple tomosynthesis projection images of the breast 102 at each angle of the beam 120 relative to the breast 102.

[0033] Simultaneously, and if desired, the image receptor 116 may be tilted synchronously with the rotation of the second support arm 126 relative to the breast support platform 106. The tilt may be at the same angle as the rotation of the x-ray source 122, but at a different angle selected such that the beam 120 remains at substantially the same location on the image receptor 116 for each of the multiple images. The tilt may be about an axis 130, which may not necessarily be in the image plane of the image receptor 116. A tilt mechanism 118 coupled to the image receptor 116 may drive the image receptor 116 in a tilting motion. For tomosynthesis and / or CT imaging, the breast platform 106 may be horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal, e.g., oriented similarly to conventional MLO imaging in mammography. The system 100 may be a mammography system alone, a CT system alone, or a tomosynthesis system alone, other modalities such as ultrasound, or a "combo" system capable of performing multiple forms of imaging. An example system is offered by the assignee hereof under the trade name Selenia Dimensions.

[0034] During system operation, image receptor 116 produces imaging information in response to illumination by imaging beam 120 and provides it to image processor 132 for processing to generate a mammogram.

[0035] A system control and workstation unit 138 including software controls the operation of the system, interacts with and receives commands from an operator, and delivers information including processed line images. The system control and workstation unit 138 may include an image correction engine that may be configured to generate gain correction maps and to gain correct the corrected mammograms based on the generated gain correction maps. The configuration of the image correction engine is described in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.

[0036] The imaging system 100 includes a floor mount or base 140 for supporting the imaging system 100 on a floor. A gantry 142 extends upwardly from the floor mount 140 and rotatably supports both a tube head 208 and a support arm 210. The tube head 126 and the support arm 124 are configured to rotate discretely relative to one another and may be raised and lowered along a face 144 of the gantry 142 to accommodate patients of different heights. The x-ray source 122 is disposed within the tube head 208. Together, the tube head 126 and the support arm 124 are sometimes referred to as a C-arm 144.

[0037] Several interfaces and display screens are provided on the imaging system 100. These include a foot display screen 146, a gantry interface 148, a support arm interface 150, and a compression arm interface 152. Generally, the various interfaces 148, 150, and 152 may include one or more tactile buttons, knobs, switches, and one or more display screens, including a capacitive touch screen having a graphic user interface (GUI), to allow user interaction and control with the imaging system 100. Generally, the foot display screen 146 is primarily a display screen, although a capacitive touch screen may be utilized as needed or desired.

[0038] FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration 200 of an image correction engine 202 of the system of FIG 1A. For example, the image correction engine 202 may be configured in the workstation 138 of the imaging system 100. Thus, the description of FIG 2 refers to the components illustrated in FIG 1A and FIG 1B and numbered accordingly. The image correction engine 202 may be configured to include an image acquisition module 204, a high-dose image generation module 206, and a gain map generation module 208. Other types of modules are possible.

[0039] The image acquisition module 204 can be configured to cause the imaging system 100 to acquire x-ray images of a phantom or patient's breast at multiple imaging parameters required for the tomosynthesis process. Although the exemplary configuration 200 is primarily described in connection with gain calibration in imaging parameters including projection angle, other types of imaging parameters can also be used in the method for gain calibration. For example, the imaging parameter can be one of kVp, filter material type, breast thickness, and grid position. Other types of imaging parameters are also possible.

[0040] The image acquisition module 204 allows the imaging system 100 to perform tomosynthesis data acquisition at multiple projection angles. In some systems 100, the image receptor 116 can move relative to the fixator unit 104 during tomosynthesis data acquisition. In other systems, the image receptor 115 can move differently or not at all. Typically, the movement can be motorized. The movement of the x-ray source 122 can be continuous, or the x-ray source can stop and emit imaging x-rays at one projection angle before moving to another projection angle. The image receptor 116 can provide projection image data in the form of an array of pixel values ​​related to incident x-ray energy.

[0041] For a calibration sequence, a calibration phantom may be fixed in the fixator unit 104 in a position similar to the position of a patient's breast when an x-ray of the patient's breast is taken. The image acquisition module 204 then causes the imaging system to perform tomosynthesis data acquisition related to the phantom at multiple projection angles.

[0042] To acquire projection images of the patient, the patient's breast can be fixed to the fixator unit 104. The image acquisition module 204 can then cause the imaging system 100 to perform tomosynthesis data acquisition related to the patient's breast at multiple projection angles.

[0043] The high-dose image generation module 206 can be configured to generate a high-dose x-ray image from a plurality of tomosynthesis x-ray projection images of the phantom acquired by the image acquisition module 204 at a plurality of projection angles. The generated high-dose x-ray image can be used by the gain map generation module 208 in generating a gain correction map.

[0044] In a non-limiting example, the imaging system 100 may be configured to perform tomosynthesis imaging of a phantom at 15 projection angles. The imaging system 100 performing tomosynthesis imaging generates 15 x-ray images of the phantom. However, each of the 15 images may appear "noisy" due to the relatively low number of photons per pixel due to the low dose nature of the scan. For example, in a "three-dimensional" tomosynthesis scan using 32 kV and 120 mAs with 15 projections, the x-ray exposure for each view is 8 mAs, and the photon count for each pixel of a 0.07 mm x 0.07 mm detector pixel array may only be about 2000 photons. This can make the resulting x-ray image appear noisy. A gain map obtained from a noisy image may contain errors due to the low photon count.

[0045] One solution to the aforementioned problem of noisy images can be solved by repeating the scan several times. If a tomosynthesis scan using 32 kV and 120 mAs is repeated five times and a three-adjacent field average is used, the photon count for each pixel in the gain map at each field angle may be 30k photons (2000 x 3 x 5). However, such a solution requires five tomosynthesis scans, which takes a significant amount of time and negatively impacts the life of the x-ray tube.

[0046] The disclosed high-dose image generation module 206 provides a solution for acquiring a high-dose image using only one tomosynthesis scan by using all the low-dose images together to create a new high-dose image. The high-dose image generation module 206 can combine and average images from each projection angle of a single tomosynthesis scan to create a high-dose image that does not contain the noise found in low-dose images.

[0047] For a tomosynthesis scan including 15 projection angles, the photon count per pixel per angle is 2000, and a new high-dose image can be created by combining and averaging the 15 images. The newly created high-dose image has a photon count per pixel of 30k photons (2000×15). Thus, the high-dose image generation module 206 can produce a high-dose image that can be used to generate a gain map that minimizes noise caused by low photon counting.

[0048] The gain map generation module 208 is configured to create a gain correction map that can be used to obtain a correct patient breast image. For example, the gain correction map can be generated using multiple x-ray projection images of the phantom acquired by the image acquisition module 204 and the associated high-dose images generated by the high-dose image generation module 206.

[0049] A high-dose gain map derived from a high-dose image generated by combining multiple low-dose images acquired at multiple projection angles by the high-dose image generation module 206 may be less noisy, but any gain correction made using the high-dose gain map may appear tilted or cupped. In other words, any image corrected by a high-dose gain map may not appear flat because it does not contain corrected angle information.

[0050] Each of the low-dose gain maps derived from the low-dose images, each acquired by the image acquisition module 204 at each of multiple projection angles, may appear flat due to the accurate and precise angular information, but any gain corrections made using the low-dose gain maps may appear noisy due to the low photon counts of the images.

[0051] A combination of the high-dose gain map and the low-dose gain map is used to generate a final gain map, resulting in a flatter gain-corrected image with less noise. In one example, the gain map generation module 208 can be configured to generate a low-dose gain map from each of the low-dose images corresponding to each of the projection angles of the tomosynthesis scan. In another example, the gain map generation module 208 can be configured to generate a high-dose gain map from a high-dose image generated by combining a plurality of low-dose images, as described above in connection with the high-dose image generation module 206. The final gain map can then be generated by combining a component from the high-dose gain map with a component from the low-dose gain map.

[0052] The process of decomposing the high-dose gain map and the low-dose gain map into component levels and combining the high-resolution components of the high-dose gain map with the low-resolution components of multiple low-dose gain maps is described in further detail in connection with Figures 3-5.

[0053] The image correction module 210 can be configured to receive X-ray images of the patient's breast at each of a plurality of projection angles from the image acquisition module 204 and gain correct the received X-ray images of the patient's breast using a final gain map from the gain map generation module 208.

[0054] To acquire projection images of the patient, the phantom is removed and the patient's breast is fixed to the fixator unit 104. The image acquisition module 204 is then configured to x-ray the patient's breast using a tomosynthesis imaging sequence. For example, a tomosynthesis imaging sequence of the patient's breast produces projection x-ray images taken at multiple projection angles.

[0055] The image correction module 210 receives projection x-ray images of the patient's breast taken at multiple projection angles and a final gain map from the gain map generation module 208. For each of the projection angles, the image correction module 210 can then use the final gain map to adjust the gain value associated with each pixel of the projection x-ray images to create a gain-corrected set of projection x-ray images. Figure 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the components of a gain map.

[0056] The gain map is comprised of contributions from different sources in the system. For example, the gain map 302 may be a product of individual components including a detector pixel-to-pixel variation map 304, a filter map 306, a field of view map 308, a kV map 310, a grid map 312, and a thickness map 314. In other examples, the gain map 302 may be a product of more, fewer, or different individual components.

[0057] The detector map may only include the pixel-to-pixel gain variations of the detector. When an X-ray beam of spatially uniform intensity illuminates a flat panel X-ray detector, the raw X-ray image may not appear to have uniform signal counts among all pixels. Because the power of conversion from X-rays to electrical signals is not exactly the same among different pixels, each pixel produces an electrical signal that may be different from other pixels in the detector. In other words, the detector gain at each pixel may be different. For example, a map of the inverse of the detector gain at each pixel may be called a detector gain map or detector map. When the detector map is multiplied to the raw image, the signal counts in the new image may be identical, and all the pixel-to-pixel gain variations of the detector are cancelled out.

[0058] The beam intensity from an x-ray tube may not have a uniform spatial distribution on the detector surface, referred to as the heel effect. The heel effect may be affected by several factors, including kVp, filters, thickness, and grid. Factors that affect the heel effect also ultimately affect the system gain map. Ideally, a complete gain map compensates for the heel effect contributed by factors including, but not limited to, kVp, filters, thickness, and grid. Thus, the gain map may include components related to each of these factors, and the gain map can be decomposed into a product of components related to each of these factors.

[0059] For example, x-ray filters of different materials and thicknesses can modify the x-ray signal profile differently. A system gain map measured with a 0.05 mm thick rhodium filter may differ from a gain map measured with a 0.7 mm thick aluminum filter. The x-ray tube kVp can also affect the heel effect. For example, the x-ray intensity along the chest wall to nipple direction drops faster at lower kVps than at higher kVps. To completely flatten x-ray images taken at different kVps, it is preferable to use the gain map taken at that kVp. The phantom thickness, and the presence of an x-ray anti-scatter grid can also modify the intensity profile of the x-ray beam on the detector affecting the system gain map.

[0060] Of the individual components 304-314, the detector pixel-to-pixel gain variation 304 may be the most dose-demanding task. The detector pixel-to-pixel gain component is a high-resolution component that requires a high-dose exposure to be measured reliably. The other individual components 306-314 may include only low-resolution components and therefore do not require a high-dose exposure to be measured. Rather, the individual components 306-314 can be measured reliably using a low-dose exposure.

[0061] The gain map 302 at each of the multiple projection angles can be decomposed into multiple components including a high resolution component and a low resolution component, however, the multiple gain maps, each corresponding to a projection angle, share a common component.

[0062] Among the disclosed individual components 304-314, the detector pixel-to-pixel variation map 304, the filter map 306, the kV map 310, the grid map 312, and the thickness map 314 have very minimal variation at different projection angles. Only the field of view 308 contains significant variation based on the projection angle. As a result, in some examples, the detector pixel-to-pixel variation map 304, the filter map 306, the kV map 310, the grid map 312, and the thickness map 314 may be extracted once and shared between different gain maps. However, since the field of view map 308 changes as the projection angle changes, the field of view map 308 may be extracted for each projection angle.

[0063] Thus, the final gain map may include a product of commonly shared angle independent reference maps including detector pixel to pixel variation map 304, filter map 306, kV map 310, grid map 312 and thickness map 314, and view angle map 308. By reusing common gain map components across different projection angles, multiple high dose exposures to measure the gain map at each projection may be avoided. The process of extracting high and low dose components from the gain map is further described in connection with FIG. 4.

[0064] A desirable commercial implementation may include a common reference map that includes high and low resolution components except for the angle map, while in other implementations the common reference map may include a combination of high and low resolution components except for one of the filter map, kV map, grid map, and thickness map.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an example schematic of the decomposition of a gain map into multi-scale components.

[0066] As explained in relation to Figure 3, the gain map can be seen as the product of the high-resolution and low-resolution component maps. A multi-scale decomposition process can be performed on the image to decompose the image into a detail image and a residual image. The multi-scale decomposition process can be repeated several times on the resulting residual image to further extract high-resolution components from the image. At each level, high-resolution components are extracted to form a detail image and the remaining components of the image are used as the residual image on which the next level of decomposition is performed.

[0067] After several levels of decomposition, the image resolution becomes low enough that there is no need to perform further decomposition. The detailed images extracted in the first few levels of decomposition are more sensitive to high dose components such as detector pixel-to-pixel gain variation and less sensitive to low dose components such as kV, filter, angle, grid and thickness. For example, the detailed images with high resolution components can be used to generate a high dose gain map that includes detector pixel-to-pixel variation data. The residual images of the last few levels of decomposition are less sensitive to dose and include data on low resolution components such as kV, filter, angle, grid and thickness. For example, the residual images with low resolution components can be used to generate a low resolution gain map that includes filter data, view angle data, kV data, grid data and thickness data.

[0068] The raw image 402 may include an X-ray projection image of a phantom at one of a number of projection angles. The raw image 402 may be decomposed into a detail image 404 and a residual image 406. The decomposition process may be performed using a multi-scale pyramid decomposition process, a wavelet decomposition process, or an FFT decomposition process. Other types of decomposition processes are also possible.

[0069] An original image 402 may be decomposed at a first level, or level 1, of the decomposition process into a first level detail image 404 and a first level residual image 406. This process may be repeated by decomposing the first level residual image 406 into a second level detail image 408 and a second level residual image 410 at level 2 of the decomposition process. The decomposition process may continue as the second level residual image 410 is decomposed into a third level detail image 412 and a third level residual image 414, the third level residual image 414 is decomposed into a fourth level detail image 416 and a fourth level residual image 418, and the fourth level residual image 418 is decomposed into a fifth level detail image 420 and a fifth level residual image 422.

[0070] The decomposition process may continue until the image can no longer be decomposed or until a sufficient number of decomposition cycles have been achieved to extract the high-resolution and low-resolution components. For example, the decomposition process may continue until an Nth level of detail image 424 and an Nth residual image 426 are generated.

[0071] Low-dose x-ray projection images of the phantom acquired at multiple projection angles by image acquisition module 204 (described above in connection with FIG. 2) are decomposed into multiple levels. Residual images from the last few levels of decomposition contain low-resolution components that can be extracted for use in generating a final gain map, as described in connection with gain map generation 208 of FIG.

[0072] The level of the decomposed residual image at which the low-dose gain map is generated and the low-resolution components are extracted can be selected based on an assessment of whether the high-resolution components of the residual image have been sufficiently filtered out and whether the residual image contains sufficient resolution to extract the low-resolution components. The most desirable level may be the third to sixth or final decomposition level. The exact level of decomposition at which the low-resolution components are extracted may vary from image to image and between tomosynthesis processes.

[0073] The high-dose x-ray projection image constructed by combining multiple low-dose x-ray projection images of the phantom by image acquisition module 204 is decomposed into multiple levels. Detailed images from the first few levels of decomposition contain high resolution components that can be extracted for use in generating a final gain map, as described in connection with gain map generation 208 of FIG.

[0074] In some examples, the high resolution component may be extracted from a gain map generated from the first level of detail image 404. In other examples, the high resolution component may be extracted from a gain map generated from a detail image from another level other than the first level. The ideal level may be selected based on the level that provides the highest high resolution component.

[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep.

[0076] The method 500 begins at operation 502. In operation 502, the imaging system 100 is used to perform one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images of a phantom. The acquired plurality of images are low-dose x-ray projection images.

[0077] The image acquisition module 204 of the image correction engine 202 can be used to configure the acquisition of multiple images by the imaging system 100. The calibration phantom may be made of a uniform material having a substantially uniform thickness to simulate a patient's compressed breast. The phantom can be fixed to the fixator unit 104 of the imaging system 100 in a position similar to the position of the patient's breast when an x-ray of the patient's breast is taken. To derive the gain map, the system 100 operates in a tomosynthesis mode and x-ray projection images of the phantom are acquired at each of a number of imaging parameters. In some examples, the imaging parameters can include projection angle. In other examples, the imaging parameters can include kVp, type of filter material, breast thickness, or grid position. Other types of imaging parameters are possible. Each projection x-ray image is represented by a pixel value associated with an x-ray received at a respective pixel location of an array of imaging pixels in the receptor 116.

[0078] Operation 504 includes generating a high-dose x-ray image. The high-dose image generation module 206 of the image correction engine 202 can generate the high-dose x-ray image by combining and averaging the multiple low-dose x-ray projection images acquired in operation 502. As further described in connection with FIG. 2, combining and averaging the low-dose images results in a high-dose image that reduces noise due to low photon counting.

[0079] Operation 506 includes generating a high-dose gain map from the high-dose x-ray image generated in operation 504. For example, generating the high-dose gain map may include determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image. In addition to determining the average signal count, generating the high-dose gain map includes determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image.

[0080] The gain map can be generated by calculating a gain correction factor for each pixel in an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image and assembling the gain correction factors for each pixel in the array of pixels into a high-dose gain map. In some examples, the gain correction factor may be the product of the average signal count and the inverse of the raw signal count for a particular pixel. In other examples, the gain correction factor may be calculated in a different manner.

[0081] Operation 508 includes extracting a high-resolution component from the high-dose gain map generated in operation 506. The gain map generation module 208 of the image correction engine 202 can use the decomposition process described in connection with FIG. 2 to decompose the high-dose gain map generated in operation 506 into multiple levels of components and extract the high-resolution component from a detailed image at one of the first or first few levels of the decomposition process. In some examples, the high-resolution component can include only detector pixel-to-pixel variation data. In other examples, the high-dose gain map can also include other types of both high-resolution and low-resolution data.

[0082] It is possible to not extract any high-resolution components from the high-dose gain map generated from the high-dose projection image, and operation 508 may be skipped. The high-dose gain map itself may be used instead of extracting individual components of the gain map. If the high-resolution components of the high-dose gain map in the disclosed examples consist only or mostly of detector pixel-to-detector variation data, the step of extracting high-resolution components from the high-dose gain map may be unnecessary, and the high-dose gain map itself may be used in the calculation of the final gain map. In this way, there is no need to extract a high-dose gain map, operation 508 may be skipped, and operation 510 may be performed upon completion of operation 506.

[0083] Operation 510 includes generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps associated with one of the plurality of projection x-ray images corresponding to one of the plurality of imaging parameters. The gain map generation module 208 of the image correction engine 202 can generate a gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters of the tomosynthesis scan based on the corresponding x-ray projection image obtained for that imaging parameter from operation 502.

[0084] The process for generating the low-dose gain map may be the same or similar to the process used in generating the high-dose gain map in act 506. One difference in the process may be that the gain map is generated from the low-dose x-ray projection images acquired in act 502 rather than the high-dose projection images generated in act 504.

[0085] Act 512 includes extracting a low-resolution component from each of the multiple low-dose gain maps generated in act 510. The gain map generation module 208 of the image correction engine 202 may use the decomposition process described in connection with Figure 2 to decompose the low-dose gain maps generated in act 510 into multiple levels of components and extract the low-resolution component from a detailed image at the end or one of the last few levels of the decomposition process.

[0086] The low-resolution components can include filter data, view angle data, kV data, grid data, and thickness data. The low-dose gain map can also include other types of low-resolution data.

[0087] In most cases, the high-resolution components of the low-dose-gain map are not used at all in any step of the final gain map generation, since only the low-resolution components of the low-dose-gain map are included and combined with the high-dose-gain map or its high-resolution components. Therefore, the low-dose-gain decomposition process is often simplified to skip the full decomposition process to convert the low-dose-gain map into each of its high and low resolution level components and proceed directly to the Nth level low-resolution residual component image. In such cases, a more efficient processing algorithm other than a full multiscale deposition process can be chosen to perform the calculations. For example, pixel binning methods such as 2x2, 4x4, 8x8, etc. can be used to derive the low-resolution components of the low-dose-gain map.

[0088] Operation 514 includes combining the high-resolution component of the high-dose gain map with each of the multiple low-resolution components extracted from each of the low-dose gain maps to generate a final gain map for each of the multiple imaging parameters. The gain map generation module 208 of the image correction engine 202 can generate the final gain map by combining the high-dose gain map or the high-resolution component of the high-dose gain map with the low-resolution component of the low-dose gain map obtained and generated in operations 502-512.

[0089] As further described in relation to FIG. 3, the high dose gain map or the high resolution component of the high dose gain map includes detector pixel-to-pixel variation. Typically, when the imaging parameters include projection angle, the detector pixel-to-pixel variation does not change with different projection angles. Most of the low resolution components of the low dose gain map also do not change with different projection angles, except for the angle component.

[0090] The high-resolution and low-resolution components that do not change between different imaging parameters can be extracted, and a common reference gain map is generated. The remaining one or more components of the low-dose gain map that differ between each imaging parameter can then be combined separately with the common reference gain map at each imaging parameter to generate a final gain map at each imaging parameter. In some examples, the imaging parameter-dependent component may be a field angle map. In other examples, the imaging parameter-dependent component may be a filter map, a kV map, a grid map, or a thickness map. Other options are possible.

[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for image correction to compensate for gain offsets in a tomosynthesis process.

[0092] Method 600 begins with operation 602. In operation 602, imaging system 100 is used to perform one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images of a phantom, as described in connection with operation 502 of FIG.

[0093] In operation 604, a gain map for each of a plurality of imaging parameters is generated from the x-ray projection images of the phantom acquired in operation 602. The process of normalizing the image detector output between different pixels is called "gain correction." The gain map is a map of gain correction factors associated with each pixel in the array of imaging pixels of the image receptor 116. The process of generating the gain map is described in more detail in conjunction with Figures 2-5.

[0094] In operation 606, the generated gain map from operation 604 is stored. In some examples, the generated gain map may be stored within the imaging system 100 itself. In other examples, the generated gain map may be stored in a remote location accessible via a network and may be retrieved as needed.

[0095] It should be noted that while the disclosed systems and methods describe the generation of gain maps and image correction processes for a calibration phantom, different types of calibration phantoms can be used to simulate different breast imaging protocols, and multiple gain maps associated with multiple breast imaging protocols can be generated and stored, and a set of appropriate gain maps can be automatically retrieved and used upon selection of a tomosynthesis breast imaging protocol.

[0096] In operation 608, a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the multiple imaging parameters is acquired. To acquire the projection images of the patient, the phantom can be removed and a tomosynthesis imaging sequence can be used to fixate the patient's breast to the fixator unit 104. In an example where the imaging parameter is a projection angle, the tomosynthesis imaging sequence of the patient's breast can generate projection x-ray images taken at multiple projection angles that may or may not be the same in number and angle values ​​as the projection angles used in acquiring the phantom image.

[0097] In operation 610, the x-ray image of the patient's breast is gain corrected using the stored gain maps from operation 606. The system control and workstation unit 138 of the imaging system 100 may include processing equipment that receives the projection images of the phantom and the projection images of the patient's breast from operations 602 and 608 from the image receptor 116. The workstation unit 138 may then perform a gain correction process on the breast images using the gain maps generated and stored in operations 604 and 606.

[0098] The workstation unit 138 can also provide system control for displaying the resulting gain corrected images, storing images and other information, and controlling aspects of the gain corrected images. The workstation unit 138 may also be used to identify suspected anomalies or select other characteristics, prepare or control images for display, prepare images for storage, such as a DICOM compliant storage device, provide an interface for an x-ray technician or other medical professional, and provide other control functions related to the images.

[0099] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a suitable operating environment 700 in which one or more of the present examples may be implemented. This operating environment may be directly incorporated into the visualization system disclosed herein or may be incorporated into a computer system separate from the breast imaging system described herein, but may be used to control the breast imaging system described herein, such as the workstation shown in FIG. 1A. This is only one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality. Other well-known computing systems, environments, and / or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, imaging systems, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics such as smartphones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, tablets, distributed computing environments including any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0100] In its most basic configuration, the operating environment 700 typically includes at least one processing unit 702 and memory 704. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory 704, storing among other instructions 706 (instructions to read from a data storage device or sensor, or instructions to perform other methods disclosed herein), may be volatile 708 (such as RAM), non-volatile 710 (e.g., ROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. The instructions 706 may include image correction engine instructions, which, when executed by the processing unit 702, cause the processing unit 702 to cause the image correction engine 202 to perform operations as further described in connection with FIG. 2. This most basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 7 by dashed line 712. Additionally, the environment 700 may also include storage devices, including but not limited to magnetic or optical disks or tapes (removable storage device 714, and / or non-removable storage device 716). Similarly, the environment 700 may also have input device(s) 720, such as a touch screen, keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input, etc., and / or output device(s) 722, such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. One or more communications connections 718, such as a LAN, WAN, point-to-point, Bluetooth, RF, etc., may also be included in the environment.

[0101] The operating environment 700 typically includes at least some form of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the processing unit 702 or other devices having the operating environment. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, solid-state storage devices, or any other tangible medium that can be used to store the desired information. Communication media embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. A computer-readable device is a hardware device that incorporates computer storage media.

[0102] The operating environment 700 may be a single computer operating in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers. The remote computers may be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, peer devices, or other common network nodes, and typically include many or all of the above elements, as well as other elements not so mentioned. The logical connections may include any manner supported by the available communications media. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

[0103] In some embodiments, the components described herein include modules or instructions executable by computer system 700 that may be stored on computer storage media and other tangible media and transmitted over communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Combinations of any of the above should also be considered to be included within the scope of readable media. In some embodiments, computer system 700 is part of a network that stores data on remote storage media for use by computer system 700.

[0104] FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a network 800 in which various systems and methods disclosed herein may operate. In an embodiment, a client device, such as client device 802, may communicate with one or more servers, such as servers 804 and 806, via the network 800. In an embodiment, the client device may be a standalone imaging system including all the functionality described herein (e.g., imaging system 100 shown in FIG. 1A). The client device may also include or incorporate any other type of computing device, such as a laptop, personal computer, smartphone, PDA, netbook, or computing device of FIG. 7. In an example, such a client device may be connected to the imaging system. In an embodiment, the servers 804 and 806 may also be any type of computing device, such as the computing device shown in FIG. 7. The network 800 may be any type of network that can facilitate communication between the client device and one or more servers 804 and 806. For example, surface image data and interior image data may be acquired locally via the imaging system and communicated to another computing device for further processing, such as an image acquisition workstation or a cloud-based service. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, a LAN, a WAN, a cellular network, and / or the Internet.

[0105] In embodiments, the various systems and methods disclosed herein may be performed by one or more server devices. For example, in one embodiment, a single server, such as server 804, may be used to perform the systems and methods disclosed herein, such as the methods for imaging described herein. Client device 802 may interact with server 804 via network 800. In further embodiments, client device 802 may also perform functionality disclosed herein, such as scanning and image processing, which may then be provided to server 804 and / or 806.

[0106] Illustrative examples of the systems and methods described herein are provided below. An embodiment of the system or method described herein may include any one or more, and any combination, of the provisions described below.

[0107] Item 1. A method for gain calibration in multiple imaging parameters for a tomosynthesis sweep, comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the multiple imaging parameters; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose x-ray image; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the multiple low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the multiple imaging parameters; decomposing each of the multiple low-dose gain maps into multiple component levels; extracting low-resolution components from the multiple component levels for each of the multiple low-dose gain maps; and combining the high-dose gain map with each of the low-resolution components of the low-dose gain map for each of the multiple imaging parameters to generate a final gain map for each of the multiple imaging parameters.

[0108] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, further comprising storing a final gain map for each of a plurality of imaging parameters, acquiring a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of imaging parameters, and gain correcting the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters to produce a gain corrected breast image.

[0109] Item 3. The method of items 1 or 2, wherein the imaging parameters include one of the following: projection angle, kVp, type of filter material, breast thickness, and grid position.

[0110] Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed by an image acquisition unit comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of the object at a plurality of imaging parameters.

[0111] Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein generating the high-dose gain map includes determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image; determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image; calculating a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, where the gain correction factor is a product of the average signal count and the inverse of the raw signal count for the particular pixel; and assembling the gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high-dose gain map.

[0112] Clause 6. Any of the methods of clauses 1 to 5, wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps includes decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each level of the plurality of resolution levels including a detail image and a residual image.

[0113] Item 7. The method of Item 6, wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process.

[0114] Clause 8. The method of clause 6 or 7, wherein extracting the low resolution component includes extracting the low resolution component from a residual image of a last level of the plurality of resolution levels.

[0115] Clause 9. Any of the methods of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the high-dose gain map includes pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of the X-ray detector.

[0116] Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the low resolution component includes one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data.

[0117] Item 11. A tomosynthesis imaging system for gain calibration at multiple projection angles, comprising: an image acquisition unit having an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of an object at multiple projection angles; a processor; and a memory including instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection X-ray images, each of the multiple tomosynthesis projection X-ray images being associated with one of the multiple projection angles, generate a high-dose X-ray image by averaging the multiple tomosynthesis projection X-ray images, generate a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose X-ray image, and calculate the high-dose gain map based on the first projection angle. and a memory for decomposing the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a first plurality of component levels, extracting a high resolution component from the first plurality of component levels, generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps associated with one of a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of a plurality of projection angles, decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels, extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps, the low resolution component including an angle map, and combining the high resolution component of the high-dose gain map with each of the low resolution components of the low-dose gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles.

[0118] Clause 12. The system of clause 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to store a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles, acquire a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of projection angles, and gain correct the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles to produce a gain corrected breast image.

[0119] Clause 13. The system of clauses 11 or 12, wherein one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed to acquire multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images of the phantom.

[0120] Clause 14. The system of any of clauses 11 to 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor to generate a high-dose gain map, cause the processor to determine an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, determine a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, calculate a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, the gain correction factor being the product of the average signal count and the inverse of the raw signal count for the particular pixel, and assemble the gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high-dose gain map.

[0121] Clause 15. The system of any of clauses 11 to 14, wherein decomposing the high-dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps includes decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each level of the plurality of resolution levels including a detail image and a residual image.

[0122] Clause 16. The system of clause 15, wherein decomposing the high-dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process.

[0123] Clause 17. The system of clause 15 or 16, wherein extracting the high resolution component includes extracting the high resolution component from a detail image at a level above a last level of the multiple resolution levels, and extracting the low resolution component includes extracting the low resolution component from a residual image at a last level of the multiple resolution levels.

[0124] Clause 18. The system of any of clauses 11 to 17, wherein the high resolution component includes pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of the X-ray detector.

[0125] Clause 19. The system of any of clauses 11 to 18, wherein the low resolution component further includes one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data.

[0126] Item 20. A method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep, comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to obtain multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the multiple projection angles; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the multiple tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high-dose gain map associated with the high-dose x-ray image; decomposing the high-dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels; and extracting high-resolution components from the first plurality of component levels. generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps associated with one of a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of a plurality of projection angles; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels; extracting a low-resolution component from each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps, the low-resolution component including an angle map; and combining the high-resolution component with each of the low-resolution components for each of the plurality of projection angles to generate a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles.

[0127] This disclosure has described several examples of the technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only a few of the possible examples. However, other aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of possible examples to those skilled in the art.

[0128] Although specific examples are described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to these specific examples. Those skilled in the art will recognize other examples or improvements that are within the scope of the technology. Thus, specific structures, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative examples. Examples of the technology may also combine elements or components that are generally disclosed but not explicitly illustrated in combination, unless otherwise stated herein. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method for gain calibration in multiple imaging parameters for a tomosynthesis sweep, the method comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of imaging parameters; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with the high dose x-ray image; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of imaging parameters; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a plurality of component levels; extracting low resolution components from the plurality of component levels for each of the plurality of low dose gain maps; generating a final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters by combining the high-dose gain map with a respective low-resolution component of the low-dose gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters; A method comprising:

2. The method comprises: storing the final gain map for each of the plurality of imaging parameters; acquiring a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of imaging parameters; gain correcting the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain maps for each of the plurality of imaging parameters to generate a gain corrected breast image. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The method according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the imaging parameters include one of the following: projection angle, kVp, type of filter material, breast thickness, grid position.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed by an image acquisition unit comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of an object at the multiple imaging parameters.

5. generating the high dose gain map determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image; determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high dose x-ray image; calculating a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, the gain correction factor being a product of the average signal count and an inverse of the raw signal count for each of the pixels; assembling the gain correction factors for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high dose gain map; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps comprises decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each of the plurality of resolution levels comprising a detail image and a residual image.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process.

8. The method according to any of claims 6 to 7, wherein extracting the low resolution components comprises extracting low resolution components from the residual image of a last one of the plurality of resolution levels.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the high dose gain map comprises pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of an X-ray detector.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the low resolution components include one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, thickness data.

11. 1. A tomosynthesis imaging system for gain calibration at multiple projection angles, the system comprising: an image acquisition unit comprising an X-ray source and an X-ray image receptor, the image acquisition unit acquiring projection X-ray images of an object at the plurality of projection angles; A processor; A memory containing instructions; Equipped with The instructions, when executed by the processor, performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with the high dose x-ray image; decomposing the high dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels; Extracting high resolution components from the first plurality of component levels; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels; extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low dose gain maps, the low resolution component including one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data; generating a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles by combining the high resolution component of the high dose gain map with the low resolution component of the low dose gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles; The system further comprises:

12. The instructions, when executed by the processor, storing the final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles; acquiring a tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast at each of the plurality of projection angles; gain correcting the tomosynthesis x-ray image of the patient's breast using the stored final gain maps for each of the plurality of projection angles to generate a gain corrected breast image. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

13. The system of any of claims 11 to 12, wherein the one or more tomosynthesis sweeps are performed to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection X-ray images of a phantom.

14. The instructions, when executed by the processor to generate the high dose gain map, determining an average signal count for an array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image; determining a raw signal count for each of the pixels from the array of pixels associated with the high dose x-ray image; calculating a gain correction factor for each of the pixels in the array of pixels associated with the high-dose x-ray image, the gain correction factor being a product of the average signal count and an inverse of the raw signal count for each of the pixels; assembling the gain correction factors for each of the pixels in the array of pixels into the high dose gain map; The system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

15. The system of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein decomposing the high dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low dose gain maps comprises decomposing into a plurality of resolution levels, each level of the plurality of resolution levels including a detail image and a residual image.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein decomposing the high-dose gain map and decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps is performed using a multi-scale decomposition process.

17. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein extracting the high resolution component comprises extracting a high resolution component from the detail image of a level above a last level of the plurality of resolution levels, and extracting the low resolution component comprises extracting a low resolution component from the residual image of a last level of the plurality of resolution levels.

18. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the high resolution components include pixel-to-pixel gain variation data of an X-ray detector.

19. 1. A method for gain calibration at multiple projection angles for a tomosynthesis sweep, the method comprising: performing one or more tomosynthesis sweeps to acquire a plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images, each of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images being associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; generating a high-dose x-ray image by averaging the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images; generating a high dose gain map associated with the high dose x-ray image; decomposing the high dose gain map into a first plurality of component levels; Extracting high resolution components from the first plurality of component levels; generating a plurality of low-dose gain maps, each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps being associated with one of the plurality of tomosynthesis projection x-ray images associated with one of the plurality of projection angles; decomposing each of the plurality of low-dose gain maps into a second plurality of component levels; extracting a low resolution component from each of the plurality of low dose gain maps, the low resolution component including one of angle data, kV data, filter data, grid data, and thickness data; generating a final gain map for each of the plurality of projection angles by combining the high resolution component and the low resolution component for each of the plurality of projection angles; A method comprising:

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