Mammography imaging arrangement for tomosynthesis
Inventors
Aspelund, Leo • Laukkanen, Tapio • Nyholm, Kustaa • Lahelma, Jaakko
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10881374-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a tomosynthesis process in the context of mammography, in which several individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and in which of information thus acquired, tomographic images are synthesized with the help of an applicable image processing software. The mutual geometry of the imaging means of the imaging apparatus when taking these individual images is determined according to the invention by arranging in the imaging apparatus a calibration structure (20), which includes balls (21) or other small objects absorbing X-radiation which are such placed that their projections will become imaged on said individual images.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to mammography tomosynthesis in which it is necessary to determine the actual mutual imaging geometry per projection image. The tomographic synthesis is carried out by using an arrangement in which X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects are provided on a mammography imaging apparatus so that the balls or other small objects are projected in images taken during movement of a radiation source over a given angular range.
A calibration structure component is provided as part of a lower tray structure attached to or attached in connection with an arm structure supporting a radiation source and an image data receiving means. The calibration structure component includes X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects arranged to at least two different planes, with base parts extending horizontally as parallel with the surface of the lower tray structure and substantially vertically extending support arms supporting a support structure including the X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects.
The balls or other small objects are placed in a known mutual three-dimensional geometry, with a fixed spacing from the radiation source. During patient positioning, compressing of the breast, and imaging of the breast, at least a portion of the balls or other small objects are placed within an angular range of movement of the radiation source, into a volume covered by the radiation beam extending from a focus of the radiation source to the image data receiving means. The coordinate point at which the focus of the radiation source relative to the image data receiving means was located upon taking a given image is determined based on the locations of projections of the balls or other small objects, and a single tomographic image or a series of layers is reconstructed using the knowledge determined of location of the focus when taking an individual image.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed independent claims cover two main inventive features: a lower tray structure with a calibration structure component, and a mammography imaging method using movable radiation source geometry determination and tomographic reconstruction.
Edge-supported lower tray calibration structure with X-radiation absorbing balls or small objects in at least two planes
A lower tray structure for a mammography imaging apparatus, including at least one calibration structure component with X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects arranged to at least two different planes. The calibration structure component includes base parts extending horizontally as parallel with the surface of the lower tray structure and a substantially vertically extending support arm supporting a support structure that also includes the X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects.
Tomosynthesis method determining focus location from ball projections to reconstruct tomographic image or layers
A mammography imaging method in which a radiation source is moved along a curved trajectory over a given angular range and a radiation beam is generated several times. At least one calibration structure component with X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects arranged to at least two different planes is placed in a known mutual three-dimensional geometry with fixed spacing from the radiation source, the balls or a portion of them are projected in images, the focus location relative to the image data receiving means is determined from the projection locations, and a single tomographic image or a series of layers is reconstructed using that determined location.
The claims cover a tray-integrated calibration structure with X-radiation absorbing balls or other small objects arranged in at least two planes, and a corresponding tomosynthesis method that determines per-image focus location from the projections of those balls and reconstructs a tomographic image or layers.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?