Tomosynthesis Focal Spot Synchronization with Oscillating Collimator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast tomosynthesis systems face image blurring due to focal spot movement during x-ray source scanning, which reduces diagnostic accuracy and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A static focal spot and collimator system synchronized with the x-ray source movement, where the focal spot and collimator blades move opposite to the x-ray source direction during exposure, maintaining a fixed effective focal spot and reducing image blurring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the x-ray source is continuously moved through space during exposure to enable tomosynthesis scanning, then image acquisition at multiple angles is achieved, but focal spot movement causes image blurring and reduces diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by moving the focal spot in the opposite direction to the x-ray source movement. Instead of allowing the focal spot to move with the source (causing blur), the system actively counter-moves the focal spot to maintain its position relative to the breast, thereby eliminating image blurring while preserving tomosynthesis scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the focal spot position adjustable and controllable during the scanning process. The focal spot is dynamically repositioned in real-time to compensate for source movement, transforming from a static component to an actively controlled element that maintains optimal imaging conditions throughout the scan
2Measurement precision
If the x-ray source is activated for exposure at multiple imaging locations during scanning, then three-dimensional tomographic images are reconstructed, but the scanning speed is limited by detector read time and exposure duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the focal spot at the appropriate location before each exposure. The focal spot is moved to its target position in advance and held steady during the exposure, ensuring optimal imaging conditions are established before data acquisition begins, which enables faster scanning without compromising image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous focal spot positioning control throughout the entire scanning process. The focal spot remains actively managed and repositioned between exposures, ensuring that the imaging system is always ready for the next measurement without interruption, thereby maximizing scanning efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
In a tomosynthesis system a static focal spot is moved in a direction opposite to and generally synchronized with the directional movement of an x-ray source and X-ray collimator blades are moved during each exposure in synchronization with the shifting of the static focal spot. The synchronized movement of the static focal spot, x-ray tube and collimator blades helps keep the effective focal spot fixed in space relative to the breast, detector or both during the entire duration of the exposure and keeps the x-ray field on the detector and breast static. The shifting collimator blades follow an oscillating pattern over the multiple x-ray exposures of a tomosynthesis scan.