Continuous Motion Digital Breast Tomosynthesis X-Ray Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems face inefficiencies in exam time and cost due to mechanical complexities and image blurring issues, particularly in step-and-shoot and continuous motion configurations, which require powerful motors and increased system weight to minimize blurring.
Innovation Solution
A DBT system where the x-ray source moves relative to the detector, generating coordinated x-ray emission cycles with continuous or pulsed intensity, allowing for efficient data acquisition through simultaneous detector readouts and simplified mechanical requirements, reducing thermal loads and blurring by integrating multiple detector reads within one pixel pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If step-and-shoot configuration is used, then image blurring is minimized, but exam time increases and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously moving the tube along the entire arc path before data acquisition begins. The tube position is pre-positioned at each angle, and detector frames are continuously captured during motion, eliminating the need to stop and reposition between exposures. This preliminary continuous motion setup allows rapid data collection without repeated acceleration-deceleration cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements continuous tube motion along the arc path without stopping between exposure positions. The tube continuously traverses the full angular range while the detector continuously captures frames, maintaining uninterrupted useful action throughout the examination. This eliminates the time-consuming stop-start cycles of conventional systems while preserving image quality through mathematical reconstruction.
2Loss of time
If continuous motion with pulsed x-ray is used, then exam time is reduced, but image blurring increases and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical stopping and positioning mechanisms with continuous motion control. Instead of using motors to stop and reposition the tube at each angle (mechanical system), the tube moves continuously along a predetermined arc path. The detector captures multiple frames during this continuous motion, and mathematical algorithms reconstruct the tomographic images without requiring mechanical interruption of the motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by maintaining constant tube velocity throughout the arc traversal rather than varying velocity with stop-start cycles. The x-ray exposure is synchronized with continuous detector readout, capturing multiple frames per tube position. This parameter change from intermittent to continuous operation reduces exam time while maintaining image quality through computational reconstruction.
3Measurement precision
If higher power tubes are used, then image blurring is reduced, but system cost increases and thermal load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by capturing only the necessary number of detector frames during continuous tube motion to achieve sufficient sampling density. Instead of using excessive tube power to freeze motion, the system uses adequate (not excessive) power combined with multiple frame capture during motion. The mathematical reconstruction processes these partial measurements to produce high-quality images without the thermal burden of high-power continuous exposure.
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 approach results in lower-cost, faster, and higher-resolution volumetric imaging with reduced thermal requirements and minimal image blurring, enabling better tissue separation and spatial resolution without the need for powerful motors or rigid gantries.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source (which at a minimum includes an electron beam and an anode target) which moves relative to the object to be imaged... The moving x-ray source generates a sequence of x-ray emission cycles
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of continuous motion digital tomosynthesis includes exposing an object to a programed intensity x-ray beam as an x-ray source travels a pre-determined path, accumulating a signal charge from the x-ray beam, recording the accumulated signal charge into a digital frame image representing raw baseline data, acquiring information on the source's and the detector's position when the recording occurs, compressing the raw baseline data into compressed views, where each respective compressed view is formed by combining the raw data readouts of the respective compressed view, and reconstructing a volumetric breast image by processing each respective compressed view with a reconstruction process function that incorporates the acquired position information and a spatial sampling corresponding to the compressed views. A system configured to implement the method and a computer-readable medium are also disclosed.