Apertured Specimen Imaging Filter for Breast X-Ray Tissue Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast imaging systems face challenges in efficiently imaging tissue specimens, leading to increased patient discomfort and costs due to the need for separate imaging systems and suboptimal image quality when trying to verify or diagnose tissue specimens.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray breast imaging system that integrates a specimen imaging filter with a rotatable filter wheel and multiple focal spot sizes, allowing tissue specimens to be imaged directly on the gantry system using the existing x-ray source and receptor, with the ability to position the specimen container independently for orthogonal views and CT scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate tissue specimen imaging system is used, then tissue specimens can be imaged for verification and diagnosis, but patient discomfort increases and system complexity increases due to needing to maintain two imaging systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tissue specimen imaging system with the breast imaging system by integrating a specimen imaging filter with apertures into the existing x-ray tube head. This allows both breast imaging and tissue specimen imaging to be performed using a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate imaging equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable tissue specimen imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can image both the patient's breast and tissue specimens using the same x-ray source and detector. The specimen imaging filter with selectively positionable apertures enables the system to switch between different imaging modes, making the system universal and eliminating the need for duplicate specialized equipment
2Reliability
If tissue specimens are imaged on a separate system, then verification imaging can be performed, but image quality deteriorates when using attached systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a specimen imaging filter with apertures that can be selectively positioned to optimize the x-ray beam for specific imaging tasks. The apertures create a focused beam path that directs x-rays precisely through the tissue specimen, improving image quality by concentrating the beam rather than using a broad beam as in conventional systems. This local optimization of beam quality ensures high-resolution imaging of tissue specimens
3Measurement precision
If the x-ray beam is not filtered for specimen imaging, then the imaging process is simpler, but image quality and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specimen imaging filter as an intermediary component between the x-ray source and the tissue specimen. This filter contains apertures that selectively transmit and shape the x-ray beam, acting as a mediator that optimizes beam quality for specimen imaging. The filter assembly, which may include a rotatable filter wheel with multiple filter slots, provides the necessary beam conditioning to achieve high-resolution images without overly complicating the overall system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the accuracy and resolution of tissue specimen images, reduces patient discomfort, and eliminates the need for duplicate imaging systems, thereby improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the specimen imaging filter blocks a portion of the emitted x-ray beam so that the at least one aperture defines a path of the emitted x-ray beam towards the x-ray receptor
Data Source
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AI summary
An x-ray breast imaging system includes a breast support platform including an x-ray receptor, and an x-ray tube head. The x-ray tube head includes an x-ray source configured to emit an x-ray beam in a direction towards the x-ray receptor, and a collimator. A filter assembly including a plurality of filter slots selectively positionable adjacent to the collimator, and a specimen imaging filter disposed within a slot of the plurality of filter slots. The specimen imaging filter includes at least one aperture defined therein. The specimen imaging filter also blocks a portion of the emitted x-ray beam so that the at least one aperture defines a path of the emitted x-ray beam towards the x-ray receptor.