Stationary X-ray Tomosynthesis Using Field Emission Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital breast tomosynthesis systems face challenges with long scanning times, mechanical instability, and limited ability to generate monochromatic x-ray radiation, leading to suboptimal image quality and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of multi-beam field emission x-ray systems using carbon nanotube-based x-ray sources with individually programmable pixels, enabling faster scanning and the generation of monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic radiation through Bragg diffraction and filtering, which reduces scanning time and improves image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gantry rotation is used to acquire projection images from multiple angles, then three-dimensional imaging capability is achieved, but scanning time increases and mechanical instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gantry rotation system with an array of stationary x-ray sources positioned at different angles. Each source element in the array can be independently activated to provide projections from its specific angle, eliminating the need for mechanical rotation while achieving the same multi-angle imaging capability. This substitution dramatically reduces scanning time and eliminates mechanical instability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray source is segmented into multiple independent source elements arranged in an array, with each element positioned at a different angle relative to the detector. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential activation of individual elements to acquire multi-angle projections without mechanical movement, thereby achieving 3D imaging capability while minimizing scanning time.
2Productivity
If gantry rotation speed is increased to reduce scanning time, then productivity improves, but focal spot blurring increases and image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical gantry rotation entirely by using a stationary array of x-ray sources. Since there is no mechanical movement during image acquisition, focal spot blurring is completely avoided while maintaining high scanning speed. Each source element remains stationary throughout the exposure, ensuring sharp focal spots and high image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the activation of individual source elements in the array through electronic switching rather than mechanical movement. This dynamic control allows the system to acquire projections from multiple angles by selectively activating different source elements, achieving fast scanning without the focal spot blurring that would result from rapid mechanical rotation.
3Manufacturing precision
If monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation is generated through heavy filtering, then image quality improves and patient dose is reduced, but x-ray photo flux decreases and scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different energy filtering characteristics to different source elements in the array. Some source elements are configured with heavier filtering to produce monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic radiation for high-quality imaging, while others use lighter filtering to maintain higher photo flux. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both improved image quality and adequate scanning speed by combining data from source elements with different spectral characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray source array is designed to provide multiple radiation spectral characteristics simultaneously through different source elements. The system can selectively activate source elements with appropriate filtering characteristics based on the imaging requirements, making the system universally capable of both high-quality monochromatic imaging and faster scanning with polychromatic radiation.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard mammography x-ray tube with 300 μm focal spot is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but image resolution is limited by focal spot size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the x-ray source into multiple small source elements in an array, where each element has a reduced focal spot size compared to conventional mammography tubes. While individual elements have smaller focal spots for higher resolution, the collective array maintains ease of manufacture through modular design. Each element can be fabricated with precision focal spots, and the array configuration allows the system to achieve high overall image resolution.
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 solution significantly reduces scanning time, enhances image resolution, and allows for improved imaging quality at lower doses, comparable to commercial systems while maintaining comparable scanning speed.
Implementation Method 1
multi-beam field emission x-ray systems using carbon nanotube-based x-ray sources
Implementation Method 2
generation of monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic radiation through Bragg diffraction and filtering
Implementation Method 3
generation of monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic radiation through Bragg diffraction and filtering
Data Source
AI summary
Stationary x-ray digital breast tomosynthesis systems and related methods are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein can include an x-ray tomosynthesis system having a plurality of stationary field emission x-ray sources configured to irradiate a location for positioning an object to be imaged with x-ray beams to generate projection images of the object. An x-ray detector can be configured to detect the projection images of the object. A projection image reconstruction function can be configured to reconstruct tomography images of the object based on the projection images of the object.