Spatially Spectral X-ray Filter for Dual-Energy Mammography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital mammography and tomosynthesis methods require separate high-energy and low-energy scans, which are time-consuming due to patient movement, contrast agent changes, limited views, and increased data volume, especially in tomosynthesis.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that collect absorption information for multiple energy spectra simultaneously during a single scan using a spatially spectral x-ray filter or varying sensor layer thicknesses in the detector, allowing for dual-energy imaging without additional scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If separate high-energy and low-energy scans are performed, then absorption information for multiple energy spectra is obtained, but scan duration is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple pixel groups, each equipped with different energy-resolving capabilities. This segmentation allows simultaneous collection of absorption information at different energy levels during a single scan, eliminating the need for separate high-energy and low-energy scans while preserving complete spectral data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal separation of energy spectra (sequential scanning) to spatial differentiation (simultaneous detection across pixel groups). By adding the spatial dimension of energy-resolving pixels, the system captures multiple energy spectra concurrently during one scan, resolving the time-loss contradiction.
2Loss of information
If separate high-energy and low-energy scans are performed, then dual-energy imaging is achieved, but patient movement artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector pixels are segmented into different energy-resolving groups that simultaneously detect high-energy and low-energy photons during a single scan. This eliminates temporal separation, ensuring that all energy data corresponds to the same patient position and timing, thereby eliminating motion artifacts while preserving dual-energy imaging capability.
3Loss of information
If separate high-energy and low-energy scans are performed, then energy spectrum information is obtained, but contrast agent distribution changes during scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into pixel groups with different energy resolution characteristics, enabling simultaneous capture of high-energy and low-energy photon interactions. This temporal coincidence ensures that contrast agent distribution remains constant throughout data acquisition, preserving accurate temporal correlation while obtaining complete energy spectrum information.
4Loss of information
If separate high-energy and low-energy scans are performed, then dual-energy imaging is achieved, but data volume doubles
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than acquiring separate datasets for high-energy and low-energy scans, the patent segments the detector pixels to simultaneously measure both energy spectra in a single scan. This approach obtains the same dual-energy information while producing a single unified dataset, effectively halving the data volume while preserving complete energy spectrum information.
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 reduces scan duration, improves temporal correlation with contrast agent enhancement, enhances image intensity assignment, and decreases patient dose and data volume, while maintaining image quality and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
with a spatially spectral x-ray filter, that is to say a filter which spatially differentiates radiation spectra
Implementation Method 2
flat detectors operating either as direct converters (x-ray-electrons/holes) or as indirect converters (x-ray-light-electrons)
Data Source
AI summary
A method image scans a female breast in the context of projective digital mammography or tomosynthesis with prefiltered x-ray radiation. From a single scanning two spatially superimposing images are created on the basis of pixel-by-pixel or pixel-group-by-pixel-group different x-ray energy spectra. An x-ray mammography system contains a radiator-detector system having an x-ray tube with a filter for generating a prefiltered x-ray radiation having a first radiation spectrum and a radiation detector containing a multiplicity of partial areas which generate individual image pixels. The radiator-detector system is configured to the effect that the partial areas receive pixel-by-pixel or pixel-group-by-pixel-group different radiation spectra, such that the two images from different x-ray spectra are received with a single scanning of the female breast. Ideally, the detector is a pixilated x-ray detector with a converting sensor layer that is divided into at least two sets of partial areas, the sets having different thicknesses.