Upright x-ray breast imaging with a CT mode, multiple tomosynthesis modes, and a mammography mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12144668-B2
Application number	US-202117517892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2021
Priority date	Oct 5, 2010
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A multi-mode imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, the multi-mode imaging system comprising:
a support for supporting the multi-mode imaging system on a floor;
a column movably coupled to the support between a first position disposed substantially vertically relative to the floor and a second position disposed at an angle to the floor;
an immobilization unit linearly moveably coupled to the column, wherein the immobilization unit is configured to immobilize the breast during imaging procedures;
an imaging source rotatable relative to the column and the immobilization unit;
an imaging detector; and
a data acquisition unit coupled to the imaging source and the imaging detector and configured to selectively operate the multi-mode imaging system in a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode, wherein the imaging source is configured to rotate along a first range of motion when the multi-mode imaging system is operating in the first imaging mode and along a second range of motion when the multi-mode imaging system is operating in the second imaging mode, and wherein the first range of motion is greater than the second range of motion.

2. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the first imaging mode comprises a computerized tomography (CT) mode and the second imaging mode comprises a tomosynthesis (T) mode.

3. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the immobilization unit comprises a first immobilization element and a second immobilization element, wherein at least one of the first immobilization element and the second immobilization element comprise a rigid compression surface.

4. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 3 , wherein the first immobilization element comprises a housing containing the imaging detector.

5. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging source and the imaging detector are movable along the column, wherein movement of the imaging source and the imaging detector along the column changes a relative position of the immobilization unit between the imaging source and the imaging detector.

6. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging detector is rotatable relative to the column and the immobilization unit.

7. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 6 , further comprising a patient shield for protecting the patient from a rotation of the imaging source.

8. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the patient shield at least partially defines an opening and wherein at least a portion of the immobilization unit at least partially projects through the opening.

9. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one handle for gripping by the patient.

10. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the second position is up to a 10 degree angle to the first position.

11. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the first range of motion is about 15° to about 60° and wherein the second range of motion is about 15°.

12. The multi-mode imaging system of claim 1 ,
wherein in the first imaging mode, a plurality of first mode x-ray projection images of the breast taken at different angles to the breast are generated, and wherein the plurality of first mode x-ray projection images are computer-processed to generate one or more first mode reconstructed images representing slices of the breast having selected thicknesses and orientations; and
wherein in the second imaging mode, a plurality of second mode x-ray projection images of the breast taken at different angles to the breast are generated, and wherein the plurality of second mode x-ray projection images are computer-processed to generate one or more second mode reconstructed breast slice images of at least a portion of the breast.

13. A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a multi-mode imaging system, the method comprising:
positioning an immobilization unit along a support column of the multi-mode imaging system;
changing a position of the support column from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position is substantially vertical;
compressing the breast in the immobilization unit;
rotating an imaging source about the compressed breast; and
during rotation of the imaging source, selectively performing imaging operations in a plurality of imaging modes, wherein the multi-mode imaging source rotates in different ranges of motion during each of the plurality of imaging modes.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein selectively performing imaging operations comprises:
performing a CT imaging procedure, in which a plurality of CT x-ray projection images CTp of the breast taken at different angles to the breast are generated;
performing a T imaging procedure, in which a plurality of T x-ray projection images Tp of the breast taken at different angles to the breast are generated;
computer-processing the CT x-ray projection images CTp and generating one or more CT reconstructed images CTr representing slices of the breast having selected thicknesses and orientations; and
computer-processing the T x-ray projection images Tp and generating T reconstructed breast slice images Tr of at least a portion of the breast.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising displaying one or more of the T x-ray projection images Tp, the T reconstructed breast slice images Tr, and the CT reconstructed images CTr.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving the breast in an opening of a patient shield.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising vertically positioning the imaging source and an imaging detector relative to a floor on which the multi-mode imaging system is disposed.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising vertically positioning the immobilization unit relative to a floor on which the multi-mode imaging system is disposed.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising releasing the breast from compression subsequent to performing the imaging operations in the plurality of imaging modes.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein performing the imaging operations comprises tilting an imaging detector during performance of at least one of the imaging operations plurality of imaging modes.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein tilting the imaging detector is performed during a T imaging procedure.

22. The method of claim 13 , further comprising rotating a patient shield during rotation of the imaging source.

23. The method of claim 13 , wherein selectively performing imaging operations comprises:
performing a first imaging procedure through a first range of motion, in which a plurality of first x-ray projection images of the breast are generated, and wherein the first range of motion is about 15°; and
performing a second imaging procedure through a second range of motion, in which a plurality of second x-ray projection images of the breast are generated, and wherein the second range of motion is greater than the first range of motion and up to about 60°.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein selectively performing imaging operations comprises:
performing a third imaging procedure through a third range of motion, in which a plurality of third x-ray projection images of the breast are generated, and wherein the first range of motion is at least about 180°.

Assignees

• Hologic Inc

Inventors

• Smith Andrew P
• Stein Jay A
• Defreitas Ken
• Shaw Ian
• Jing Zhenxue
• Niklason Loren
• Ren Baorui
• Ruth Christopher

Classifications

• A61B6/461

  Displaying means of special interest · CPC title

• A61B6/463

  characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display · CPC title

• A61B6/4447

  Tiltable gantries · CPC title

• A61B6/4441

  the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm · CPC title

• A61B6/04 Primary

  Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like · CPC title