X-ray Detector Assembly for Simultaneous Bilateral Breast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray-based breast imaging systems, such as contrast enhanced digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis, face limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, requiring repositioning of the patient for bilateral exams, which increases contrast media usage and imaging time, and lacks effective visualization of contrast enhancement kinetics.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single x-ray detector in conjunction with one or two x-ray sources or arrays, allowing for synchronized rotation and translation around the chest axis to acquire high-quality, fast images of both breasts without repositioning the patient, enabling high-temporal and spatial resolution imaging and simultaneous bilateral imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If repositioning of the patient is performed for bilateral exams in current x-ray systems, then imaging of both breasts can be achieved, but imaging time increases and contrast media usage doubles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both breast imaging capabilities into a single detector assembly that can capture images of both breasts simultaneously or in rapid sequence without requiring patient repositioning. This merging of functions eliminates the time loss associated with repositioning while maintaining bilateral imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move between different imaging positions for the left and right breasts. This dynamic design enables the system to switch between imaging modes rapidly, reducing the time penalty traditionally associated with repositioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If repositioning of the patient is performed for bilateral exams, then both breasts can be imaged, but the number of contrast media injections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges bilateral imaging into a single examination protocol, allowing both breasts to be imaged during one contrast media injection. The detector assembly's ability to capture both breasts without repositioning eliminates the need for a second injection that would otherwise be required.
3Reliability
If conventional x-ray systems are used, then imaging can be performed, but spatial and temporal resolution are insufficient for contrast enhancement kinetics analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs detector parameters and acquisition settings optimized for contrast enhancement kinetics, including high temporal sampling rates and spatial resolution settings that exceed conventional mammography capabilities. These parameter changes enable precise measurement of contrast uptake over time while maintaining high image quality.
4Device complexity
If a single detector assembly is used for bilateral imaging, then system complexity is reduced, but the detector must perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The single detector assembly is designed with universal functionality to image both breasts effectively. It incorporates positioning mechanisms and acquisition modes that allow it to perform multiple imaging functions (left breast, right breast, bilateral simultaneous) without requiring multiple specialized detectors, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility.
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 provides cost-effective, accurate, and efficient x-ray imaging with improved spatial and temporal resolution, reducing the need for repositioning and contrast media, while enabling detailed analysis of contrast enhancement kinetics for enhanced breast cancer detection.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray beam generated by the x-ray source to pass through the right or the left breast of the subject and to project onto a detecting surface of the x-ray detector
Implementation Method 2
The assembly of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector is rotatable in synchrony around an axis located between the right and left breasts and normal to the subject's chest
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides x-ray-based breast imaging systems and related methods that are, for example, applicable to contrast enhanced digital mammography and contrast enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis and allow fast, cost-effective and accurate x-ray imaging.