CN117119964A - Patient shield for an X-ray imaging system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging system (100) includes a gantry (126) and a compression arm assembly (104). The compression arm assembly (104) includes a support arm (122) supporting the compression paddle (108), a platform (106), and an X-ray receptor (114). The X-ray tube head (124) includes an X-ray source (120). A patient protection cover system (138) is disposed between the compression paddle (108) and the X-ray source (120). The patient shield system (138) includes an arm (142), a carrier (144), a shield (140), and at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) that supports the shield (140) on the carrier (144). The 0 ° tube head angle is defined as the X-ray source (120) being orthogonal to the support platform (106) and the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) being positioned on the support arm (122) such that the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) is between ± 8 ° and ± 15 ° tube head angle.

Description

Patient shield for an X-ray imaging system and method thereof

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application was filed on day 21, 3, 2022 as a PCT patent international application, and claims the benefits and priority of U.S. provisional application No.63/260,029 filed on day 6,8, 2021, and U.S. provisional application No.63/166,820 filed on day 26, 3, 2021, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background

Compression during X-ray imaging has a variety of purposes. For example, it: (1) Thinning the breast in the X-ray flux direction, thereby reducing the radiation exposure of the patient from the level required to image the thicker portion of the uncompressed breast; (2) The thickness of the breast in the X-ray flux direction is more uniform, thereby facilitating more uniform exposure on the image plane on the whole breast image; (3) Immobilizing the breast during the X-ray exposure, thereby reducing image blur; (4) The breast tissue is brought out of the chest wall to the imaging exposure field, allowing more tissue to be imaged. When the breast is compressed, typically the technician manipulates the breast to properly position the breast and counteract the compression has a tendency to push breast tissue toward the chest wall and away from the image field.

Standard compression methods for mammography and tomosynthesis use movable, rigid, radiolucent compression paddles. The breast is placed in an imaging region on a generally flat breast support platform, and then the paddle compresses the breast, typically while a technician or other health professional holds the breast in place. The technician may also manipulate the breast to ensure proper tissue coverage in the field of view of the image receptor. Furthermore, a technician may place a patient shield between the patient and the X-ray field to limit patient intrusion into the image.

At least some known patient shields are coupled to the imaging system and are shaped and sized for standard mammography and tomosynthesis imaging. However, some known imaging systems also allow for the addition of a wider angular imaging position (e.g., 60 ° sweep of the tip), which increases the imaging area covered by the patient shield. Accordingly, improvements to patient shields are desired.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present technology relates to an imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: a portal frame; a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable with respect to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head including an X-ray source movable along a first plane via the X-ray tube head; and a patient protection cover system disposed at least partially between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising: an arm removably coupled to the support arm; a carrier slidably coupled to the arm; a protective cover; and a bracket coupling the shield to the carrier, wherein the bracket includes a shield mount coupled to the shield and a carrier mount coupled to the carrier, the shield mount engaging with the carrier mount to allow the shield to be slidably moved relative to the carrier, and wherein the bracket defines a travel path of the shield that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the travel path having an arcuate shape.

In an example, the shield includes a flat plate. In another example, the angular displacement of the shield along the travel path is at least 60 °. In yet another example, the carrier mount includes a radiolucent plate secured to the carrier. In yet another example, the carrier mount includes a support configured to engage the shield mount and a pair of legs extending from the support and configured to couple to the carrier, and the opening is defined by the support, the pair of legs, and the carrier, the opening being shaped and sized to allow X-rays to pass through the patient shield system.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to an imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: a portal frame; a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head including an X-ray source rotatable along a first plane via the X-ray tube head; and a patient protection cover system disposed at least partially between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising: an arm removably coupled to the support arm and defining a longitudinal axis; a carrier slidably coupled to the arm; a protective cover; and a bracket coupling the shield to the carrier, wherein the bracket is configured to allow the shield to move along a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the shield has an arcuate shape along a path of travel of the transverse plane.

In an example, the 0 ° tube head angle is defined as the X-ray tube head being orthogonal to the platform, and the shield is movable along the travel path between at least ±30° relative to the 0 ° tube head angle. In another example, the shield has a first edge and an opposing second edge, and the first edge may be positioned more than 30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the first edge, and the second edge may be positioned more than-30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the second edge. In yet another example, the bracket further includes a locking mechanism to fix the position of the shield relative to the carrier. In yet another example, the arcuate shape is defined about an axis of rotation.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: positioning a compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; fixing the patient's breast between the compression paddle and the platform; positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of an X-ray source of the X-ray tube head, the shield coupled to the support arm by at least an arm and a carrier, wherein the shield is linearly movable along the arm via the carrier relative to the support arm and laterally movable via the bracket along a plane orthogonal to the arm, and wherein a travel path of the shield is arcuate in shape along the lateral plane; acquiring one or more first X-ray images in at least one first imaging mode, wherein the at least one first imaging mode is at a tip angle of less than or equal to ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle; and acquiring one or more second X-ray images in a second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than ± 7 ° relative to a 0 ° tip angle, and wherein the shield is positioned relative to an X-ray field of the second imaging mode.

In an example, the method further includes locking the position of the shield relative to the compression arm assembly. In another example, the at least one first imaging modality includes tomosynthesis imaging. In yet another example, the at least one first imaging modality includes mammography imaging. In yet another example, the at least one first imaging modality includes tomosynthesis and mammography imaging. In an example, the second imaging mode is an enhanced tomosynthesis mode. In another example, positioning the compression arm assembly includes positioning the compression arm assembly in an MLO imaging position.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to an imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: a portal frame; a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable relative to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head comprising an X-ray source; and a patient protection cover system disposed at least partially between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising: an arm removably coupled to the support arm; a carrier slidably coupled to the arm; a protective cover; and at least one leg supporting the shield on the carrier, wherein the 0 ° tube head angle is defined as being orthogonal to the support platform, and wherein the at least one leg is positioned on the support arm such that the at least one leg is between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.

In an example, when the X-ray source is at a ±8° tube head angle, no image artifacts of the at least one leg are generated during imaging. In another example, when the X-ray source is at a ± 15 ° tube head angle, no image artifacts of the at least one leg are generated during imaging. In yet another example, the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is triangular in shape. In yet another example, the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is circular in shape. In an example, the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is quadrilateral in shape. In another example, the at least one leg includes a pair of legs.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: securing a patient's breast in a compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head, the shield positioned on one side of a tube head plane, at least one leg supporting the shield and extending through the tube head plane; acquiring a plurality of X-ray projection images of the patient's breast during tomosynthesis imaging, wherein at least two of the plurality of X-ray projection images include image artifacts from at least one leg shaped and dimensioned such that the positions of the image artifacts within the at least two X-ray projection images do not overlap each other; processing at least two X-ray projection images; and reconstructing one or more tomosynthesis images based on the at least two X-ray projection images after processing.

In an example, acquiring at least two X-ray projection images includes emitting an X-ray exposure between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle. In another example, processing the at least two X-ray projection images includes identifying a location of an image artifact and segmenting the image artifact with a background value. In yet another example, identifying the location of the image artifact includes determining the locations of two outermost edges of the image artifact. In yet another example, the method further comprises processing an X-ray projection image of the partial image artifact with at least one leg, wherein a fitted curve is generated based on the determined position of at least one of the two outermost edges such that an edge of the partial image artifact is determined from the at least two X-ray projection images with the two outermost edges. In an example, reconstructing one or more tomosynthesis images is performed using back projection in the spatial or frequency domain.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising: securing a patient's breast in a compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform; positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head, the shield positioned on one side of a tube head plane, at least one leg supporting the shield and extending through the tube head plane; acquiring a plurality of X-ray projection images of a breast of a patient during tomosynthesis imaging, wherein at least one of the plurality of X-ray projection images comprises image artifacts from at least one leg; identifying a location of an image artifact in the at least one X-ray projection image; segmenting the image artifact with a background value; and reconstructing one or more tomosynthesis images based on the segmented at least one X-ray projection image.

In an example, acquiring at least one X-ray projection image includes emitting an X-ray exposure between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle. In another example, the at least one X-ray projection image with image artifacts includes at least two X-ray projection images with image artifacts from the at least one leg, the at least one leg being shaped and sized such that the image artifacts within the at least two X-ray projection images do not overlap one another. In yet another example, identifying the location of the image artifact includes determining the locations of two outermost edges of the image artifact. In yet another example, the method further comprises processing an X-ray projection image of the partial image artifact with at least one leg, wherein a fitted curve is generated based on the determined position of at least one of the two outermost edges such that an edge of the partial image artifact is determined from the at least two X-ray projection images with the two outermost edges.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary imaging system.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging system of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the imaging system of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial front view of the imaging system of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the imaging system of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is another partial perspective view of the imaging system of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary patient protection mask system.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a bracket and shield of the patient shield system of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a support and shield of the patient shield system of fig. 7.

Fig. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating a method of imaging a breast of a patient.

Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of a patient protection cover system attached to an imaging system.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the patient protection cover system as shown in fig. 11 attached to an imaging system.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the legs of the patient protection system shown in fig. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of another leg that may be used with the patient protection system shown in fig. 11 and 12.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of another leg that may be used with the patient protection system shown in fig. 11 and 12.

Fig. 16 depicts a projection image from an imaging system taken through a leg of a patient protection system.

Fig. 17 depicts a reconstructed image of the projected image from fig. 16.

Fig. 18 depicts a flow chart illustrating another method of imaging a breast of a patient.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another patient protection system.

Fig. 20 is a rear view of the patient protection system shown in fig. 19.

Detailed Description

The technology described herein relates to patient shield systems having sliding shields that increase the reach of the shields and accommodate wide angle imaging on imaging systems. By increasing the reach of the shield, patient comfort can be increased by limiting contact with the moving X-ray tube head of the imaging system even in the wide angle imaging position (e.g., 60 ° tube head sweep). The shield may also help position and support the patient at the imaging system to ensure comfort during fixation. Furthermore, the shield also prevents patient intrusion into the X-ray field during imaging at the wide angle imaging position.

One option to support this type of sliding shield is to have the frame positioned outside the imaging area, including the wide-angle image location of the X-ray tube head. However, using a frame outside of the wide angle imaging region results in a large frame, which limits the technician's access to the compression arm assembly to position the patient's breast. Thus, the patient protection cover systems described herein are coupled to the compression arm assemblies and may be adjustable to retract (e.g., forward or backward relative to the forward edge of the support platform) so that the protection cover may be moved and allow a technician access to the support platform and compression paddles. Furthermore, the shield can be slid along a transverse plane with respect to the retraction direction in order to position the shield between the patient and the X-ray field even at the wide-angle image position.

In the examples described herein, the shield is positioned between the patient and the X-ray field, and thus, a portion of the patient shield system extends through the X-ray imaging region in order to support the position of the shield. The patient shield system includes a support that extends through the X-ray imaging region and enables the shield to slide. In one aspect, at least a portion of the support is formed of a radiolucent material that is positioned adjacent to a focal spot of the X-ray source to reduce image attenuation. In this example, an X-ray beam is emitted through the support for one or more image acquisitions. When images are acquired at the sides of the stent, the image acquisition process may skip these angular positions, or the workstation may reduce or remove any image artifacts that the stent may form. In another aspect, the support may be formed from a pair of spaced apart legs extending through the X-ray imaging system. Thus, an opening is formed to allow the X-ray beam to pass through without obstruction. When images are acquired at the leg locations, the image acquisition process may skip these angular portions, or the workstation may reduce or remove any image artifacts that may form from the stand. In one aspect, the image acquisition process may take the leg positions and the workstation is configured to process the projection images to provide image artifact correction and to improve the resulting reconstructed image.

Thus, the patient shield system and the sliding shield are configured to reduce or prevent the patient from contacting the moving part during the imaging procedure and to increase the comfort of the patient around the moving part. Furthermore, the shield also prevents the patient from entering the X-ray field during the imaging procedure. However, the patient shield system and shield also provide a means for the technician to position the patient's breast for immobilization. Thus, in a combined imaging system, the patient shield system and sliding shield described herein are configured to be positioned relative to a support platform such that the shield can accommodate not only mammography and tomosynthesis imaging positions, but also wide angle imaging positions, while still enabling a technician to access the compression arm assembly to immobilize a patient's breast.

Furthermore, the support of the patient protection mask system is strong and is capable of supporting the cantilever slide position of the mask even when the patient is pressed against the mask and applies a force to the patient protection mask system. Thus, the shield can support the patient in its extended position and does not deflect into the X-ray field of the imaging system.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary imaging system 100. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging system 100. Referring to both fig. 1 and 2, not every element described below is depicted in both figures. The imaging system 100 is configured to immobilize a breast 102 of a patient for X-ray imaging (e.g., mammography, tomosynthesis, and/or wide-angle imaging) via a compression arm assembly 104. In this example, the compression arm assembly 104 includes a stationary breast support platform 106 and a movable compression paddle 108. The breast support platform 106 and the compression paddle 108 each have a compression surface 110 and 112, respectively, wherein the compression surface 112 is configured to move toward the support platform 106 to compress and immobilize the breast 102. In known systems, the compression surfaces 110, 112 are exposed so as to directly contact the breast 102. The support platform 106 also houses an X-ray image receptor 114 and an optional tilting mechanism 116. The compression arm assembly 104 is in the path of an imaging X-ray beam 118 emanating from an X-ray source 120 such that the beam 118 impinges on the image receptor 114.

The compression paddle 108 and support platform 106 are supported on a first support arm 122 and the X-ray source 120 is supported on a second support arm, also referred to as an X-ray tube head 124. The support arms 122, 124 are mounted on a gantry 126. For mammography, the support arms 122 and 124 may be rotated as a unit about an axis 128 between different imaging orientations, such as cranio-caudal (CC) and medial-lateral oblique (MLO) views, so that the imaging system 100 may take mammographic projection images at each orientation. In operation, the image receptor 114 remains in position relative to the support platform 106 while an image is captured. The compression arm assembly 104 releases the breast 102 to move the support arms 122, 124 to different imaging orientations. For tomosynthesis, the support arm 122 remains in place with the breast 102 fixed and held in place, while at least the tube arm 124 rotates the X-ray source 120 about the axis 128 relative to the compression arm assembly 104 and the compressed breast 102. The imaging system 100 captures a plurality of tomosynthesis projection images of the breast 102 at various angles of the X-ray beam 118 relative to the breast 102. Similarly, for wide angle imaging, the support arm 122 remains in place while the breast 102 is fixed and held in place while at least the tube arm 124 rotates the X-ray source 120 about the axis 128 relative to the compression arm assembly 104 and the compressed breast 102. The imaging system 100 captures at least one wide-angle image of the breast 102 at a respective angle of the X-ray beam 118 relative to the breast 102. Accordingly, compression arm assembly 104 and tube head 124 may be rotated independently of each other unless a mating rotation is needed or desired by the imaging process.

Concurrently and optionally, the image receptor 114 may be tilted relative to the breast support platform 106 and in coordination with the rotation of the second support arm 124. The tilting may be through the same angle as the rotation of the X-ray source 120, but may also be through a different angle selected such that the X-ray beam 118 remains substantially in the same position on the image receptor 114 for each of the plurality of images. The tilt may be about an axis 130, which may, but need not, be in the image plane of the image receptor 114. A tilting mechanism 116 coupled to the image receptor 114 may drive the image receptor 114 in a tilting motion. For tomosynthesis imaging and/or wide angle imaging, the breast support platform 106 may be horizontal and may be angled from horizontal, for example, similar to the orientation of conventional MLO imaging in mammography. The imaging system 100 may be an entirely mammography system, a wide-angle system, or an entirely tomosynthesis system, or a "combined" system that may perform multiple forms of imaging. One example of such a combination system has been provided by the assignee herein under the trade name Selenia Dimensions.

As used herein, wide angle imaging is considered to be a wider tip angle than typical tomosynthesis imaging, e.g., an angular position above ±7° or ±7.5°. In some examples, tomosynthesis imaging may be at a location within ±7°, while in other examples, tomosynthesis imaging may be at a location within ±7.5°. In one aspect, wide angle imaging includes a 60 scan of tip 124. Wide angle imaging may include Computed Tomography (CT) image acquisition, wide angle enhanced tomosynthesis (e.g., imaging angles up to and including ±30°), high energy imaging acquisition, and the like. In some examples, acquisition from wide angle imaging may be used in conjunction with tomosynthesis and/or mammography acquisition.

When the imaging system 100 is operated, the image receptor 114 generates imaging information in response to illumination of the imaging X-ray beam 118 and provides it to an image processor 132 for processing and generation of a mammogram image. A system control and workstation unit 134, including software, controls the operation of the system and interacts with the operator to receive commands and communicate information including processed radiographic images.

The compression paddle 108 is coupled to the support arm 122 via a paddle support 136, the paddle support 136 being linearly movable along the support arm 122 and being used to secure the patient's breast 102 on the support platform 106. In addition, the imaging system 100 includes a patient protection cover system 138 removably coupled to the support arm 122. A patient shield system 138 is at least partially disposed between the compression paddle 108 and the X-ray source 120 and includes a sliding shield 140. The boot 140 is configured to reduce or prevent the patient from contacting moving parts (e.g., the tip 124) during the imaging procedure and to increase patient comfort around the moving parts of the imaging system 100. Furthermore, the shield 140 prevents the patient from entering the X-ray field during the imaging procedure. However, the boot 140 also provides a pathway for the technician to position the patient's breast 102 for immobilization. Thus, in a combined imaging system (such as imaging system 100), the patient protective cover system 138 and sliding cover 140 described herein are configured to be positioned relative to the support platform 106 such that the cover 140 can accommodate not only mammography and tomosynthesis imaging positions, but also wide angle imaging positions, while enabling a technician to access the compression arm assembly 104 to secure the patient's breast 102.

Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the imaging system 100. The patient protection cover system 138 includes an arm 142 that is removably coupled to the support arm 122 of the compression arm assembly 104. In this example, the arm 142 may be coupled to the support arm 122 via a two-point attachment such that a cantilever configuration that forms more ridged connections and supports the patient protective cover system 138. The carrier 144 is slidably coupled to the arm 142 such that the boot 140 may be retracted relative to the support arm 122 and the forward edge of the support platform to facilitate access by a technician to the compression arm assembly 104. In one aspect, the arms 142 define a longitudinal axis along which the boot 140 may slide via the carrier 144. The patient shield system 138 also includes a bracket 146 that couples the shield 140 to the carrier 144.

The X-ray tube head 124 may be rotated relative to the compression arm assembly 104 such that the X-ray source 120 rotates along a tube head plane 148. The tip plane 148 is orthogonal to the axis of rotation 128 (shown in fig. 1) of the X-ray tip 124 and to the breast support platform 106. The tube head plane 148 also corresponds to the front edge of the X-ray image receptor 114 (shown in fig. 1). The X-ray source 120 emits an X-ray beam 118 toward the support table 106 and the beam 118 is collimated to correspond with the position of the image receptor 114. As shown in fig. 3, the X-ray source 120 is positioned at a 0 deg. tube head angle relative to the compression arm assembly 104. As used herein, a 0 ° tip angle corresponds to the X-ray source 120 being orthogonal to the support platform 106 and within the tip plane 148, and the tip 124 and compression arm assembly 104 are in the same rotational position about the rotational axis 128. In one aspect, the 0 ° tip angle may correspond to an MLO image position or a CC image position. At least in the 0 deg. tip angular position, when the shield 140 is used to limit the patient's access to the X-ray field, the X-ray beam 118 passes through the patient shield system 138 because the patient shield system 138 extends through the tip plane 148 to position the shield 140 between the patient and the X-ray field. Accordingly, the support 146 is configured to allow the X-ray beam 118 to pass through the patient protective cover system 138 while reducing or preventing image artifacts from the patient protective cover system 138 from forming in the acquired X-ray images.

In this example, the boot 140 may be a flat plate and be positioned on the compression arm assembly 104 such that it is parallel to the tube head plane 148. By forming the shield 140 as a flat plate, the shield 140 can be moved as needed or desired and remain outside the imaging field of the X-ray beam 118 even at the wide-angle imaging position. Thus, the bracket 146 is configured to maintain the parallel position of the boot 140 relative to the tube head plane 148 during sliding movement of the boot 140 as described herein.

Fig. 4 is a partial front view of the imaging system 100. As shown in fig. 4, the imaging system 100 is positioned in an MLO image configuration. Thus, both compression arm assembly 104 and tip 124 are rotated, however tip 124 is still positioned at 0 tip angle 150 and orthogonal to support platform 106 (shown in fig. 1). At 0 deg. tip angle 150, imaging system 100 may acquire an MLO mammography X-ray image via X-ray beam 118 when imaging system 100 is operating in a mammography imaging mode. Additionally or alternatively, the imaging system 100 may operate in a tomosynthesis imaging mode and take a plurality of X-ray images via the X-ray beam 118 at a tomosynthesis angle 152 (which may or may not include a 0 ° tube head angle 150). In one aspect, the fault composition angle 152 may be in a range between about 15 ° and ±7.5° relative to the 0 ° tube head angle 150. On the other hand, the fault composition angle 152 may be in a range between about 14 ° and ±7° relative to the 0 ° tube head angle 150. The support 146 of the patient protective cover system 138 is configured to allow the X-ray beam 118 emitted at the tomosynthesis angle 152 and the 0 deg. tip angle 150 to pass through the patient protective cover system 138 such that image artifacts are reduced or prevented. When positioning a patient for an MLO image configuration, the position and movement of the tip 124 is typically not very close to the patient. However, as the tip 124 is moved to a wider angle, the tip 124 and X-ray field move closer to the patient, requiring the shield 140 to accommodate the wider angular configuration.

Imaging system 100 is also configured to operate in a wide-angle image mode and acquire one or more wide-angle images via X-ray beam 118 at wide angle 154. In one aspect, wide angle 154 may be in a range between approximately 60 ° and ±30° with respect to 0 ° tip angle 150 outside of fault composition angle 152. In some examples, angles between approximately ±7.5° and ±15.5° may correspond to the position of the stent 146, and may create image artifacts such that these imaging angles may be eliminated from the imaging process. In other examples, an angle between approximately ±7° and ±15.5° may correspond to the position of the bracket 146. Accordingly, wide angle 154 may be between approximately + -15.5 deg. and + -30 deg. such that X-ray beam 118 does not emit through an angle of projection corresponding to the position of support 146. In other examples, the workstation may be used to process image angles with image artifacts from the gantry 146 such that the artifacts are reduced or removed. As the X-ray tube head 124 moves along the location of the wide angle 154, the X-ray field also moves to a position outside of the support 146 of the patient protection system 138. The support 146 allows the shield 140 to slide relative to the carrier 144 (shown in fig. 3) and the compression arm assembly 104 so that the shield 140 can be used to reduce or prevent patient intrusion into the X-ray beam 118 at these wide angles 154.

The support 146 defines a travel path 156 of the shield 140 on the patient shield system 138, and the travel path 156 is along a shield plane 157 (shown in fig. 3), the shield plane 157 being parallel to the tip plane 148 and offset from the tip plane 148 (also shown in fig. 3). This configuration enables the technician to move and slide the boot 140 relative to the compression arm assembly 104 without invading the X-ray field. The travel path 156 also has an arcuate shape such that the shroud 140 does not interfere with movement of the X-ray tube head 124 at the wide angle 154. In one aspect, the center point of the arcuate travel path 156 is the axis of rotation 128 (shown in FIG. 1) of the X-ray tube head 124. Thus, both the tip 124 and the boot 140 may be selectively and independently positioned about the axis of rotation 128. In an example, the travel path 156 of the boot 140 is approximately 60 ° and corresponds to the sweeping movement of the tip 124 in all three imaging modes. In another example, the travel path 156 of the boot 140 is at least ±30° relative to the 0 ° tube head angle 150. For example, the boot 140 includes two opposing edges 158, 160, and the travel path 156 of the boot 140 enables the first edge 158 to be positioned beyond 30 ° when moving in the direction of the first edge 158, and the second edge 160 to be positioned beyond-30 ° when moving in the direction of the second edge 160. By sliding the boot 140 along the arcuate path of travel, the distance between the support platform and the boot 140 may be maintained when the imaging system 100 is in the MLO position, such that the boot 140 may be more closely related to the position of the patient.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the imaging system 100. Fig. 6 is another partial perspective view of the imaging system 100. Referring also to fig. 5 and 6, the bracket 146 is partially illustrated and the bracket 146 is used to couple the shield 140 to the carrier 144 on the patient shield system 138. The patient protection cover system 138 is coupled to the compression arm assembly 104 and is separate from the X-ray tube head 124. Bracket 146 includes a carrier mount 162 configured to couple to carrier 144. The bracket mount 162 is supported by the patient protective cover system 138 so that its position on the compression arm assembly 104 may be fixed. Carrier mount 162 is only partially shown in fig. 5 and 6, and illustrates two different configurations for coupling carrier mount 162 to carrier 144.

In one example, carrier mount 162 includes a plate 164 secured to carrier 144. Plate 164 extends through tip plane 148 (shown in fig. 3) such that when tip 124 is positioned in mammography or tomosynthesis mode and an X-ray beam is emitted through the plate, plate 164 is in an X-ray field. Such a configuration is shown, for example, in fig. 3. Thus, the plate 164 is formed of a radiolucent material having a uniform thickness (e.g., carbon fiber with foam core) in order to reduce image artifacts in X-ray images. For example, by positioning the plate 164 closer to the focal spot of the X-ray source, the imaged plate 164 may produce only slight attenuation in the X-ray image, which may still be used for diagnosis and/or with a workstation to reduce or eliminate attenuation during processing of the image. The plate 164 is elongated along the travel path 156 of the shroud 140 to increase the length of engagement of the carrier mount 162 with the shroud 140 and to support the cantilever configuration of the shroud 140 when the shroud 140 is moved to the wide angle position (e.g., as shown in fig. 5 and 6).

In another example, carrier mount 162 includes a pair of legs 166 spaced apart from one another and secured to carrier 144. The legs 166 extend through the tip plane 148, however, the spaces between the legs 166 are open such that the support 146 is deployed outside of the X-ray field when the tip 124 is positioned in a mammography or tomosynthesis mode. By spacing the legs 166 along the travel path 156 of the boot 140, the boot 140 is supported while in the cantilever configuration. In some examples, the legs 166 may have a triangular cross-sectional shape to accommodate an X-ray beam at the boundary between the tomosynthesis mode and the wide-angle mode while reducing the angular position of the tip 124 with which the legs 166 may form image artifacts. In some examples, the imaging system 100 may be configured to not capture projection images at angular positions corresponding to the positions of the legs 166 extending through the tube head plane 148.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary patient protection system 200 that may be used with imaging system 100 (shown in fig. 1-6). The patient protection cover system 200 includes an arm 202, the arm 202 being configured to be removably coupled to a support arm of a compression arm assembly. The arm 202 defines a longitudinal axis 204 and one end of the arm 202 includes an arm plate 206. The arm plate 206 is releasably secured to the compression arm assembly. A locking mechanism 210 may be used to lock the position of the arm 202 on the support arm. In this example, the arm plate 206 provides a rigid two-point connection to support the patient protection cover system 200 on the compression arm assembly.

The carrier 212 is coupled to the other end of the arm 202 and is configured to support a support 214 for a guard 216. Carrier 212 is slidably coupled to arm 202 such that carrier 212 may slide 218 along longitudinal axis 204. The carrier 212 includes a cross member 220, the end of the cross member 220 including a button 222 that facilitates positioning the carrier 212 along the arm 202.

The support 214 is configured to support the shield 216 and also define an arcuate path of travel for the shield 216. The shield 216 moves along a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 204, and the shield 216 is parallel on this transverse plane. The support 214 extends through the tip plane 148 (as shown in fig. 3) and is thus shaped and sized such that the X-ray beam passes through the patient protection mask system 200 at least some imaging angles. The bracket 214 has a shield mount 224 coupled to the shield 216 and a carrier mount 226 coupled to the carrier 212. The shield mount 224 and the carrier mount 226 are engaged to allow the shield 216 to be slidably moved 228 along the travel path and relative to the carrier 212 and the arm 202. The carrier mount 226 is secured to the carrier 212 and the shield mount 224 is slidable relative to the carrier mount 226 and the carrier 212. The carrier mount 226 may include a locking mechanism 230 on each side, the locking mechanism 230 configured to fix the position of the shield 216 relative to the carrier 212. By placing the locking mechanism 230 on each side of the shield 216, a technician may more easily fix the position of the shield 216 while working on either side of the patient.

The carrier mount 226 includes a support 232 configured to engage the shield mount 224 and a pair of legs 234 extending from the support 232 and configured to couple to the cross member 220 of the carrier 212. An opening 236 is defined by the support 232, the pair of legs 234, and the carrier 212, and is sized and shaped to allow X-rays to pass through the patient protection system 200.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the support 214 and shield 216 of the patient shield system 200 (shown in fig. 7). Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the holder 214 and the shield 216. Referring simultaneously to fig. 8 and 9, the support 232 of the carrier mount 226 is formed from two rail portions 238, 240 that are coupled together to form a T-shaped rail 242. The boot mount 224 is coupled to the boot 216 and forms a corresponding T-shaped flange 244 slidingly received in the T-shaped track 242. Corresponding arcuate grooves 246 are defined in both the shield mount 224 and the carrier mount 226 configured to retain the balls 248. The groove 246 at least partially defines a travel path of the shield 216 and the balls 248 facilitate sliding movement of the shield mount 224 relative to the carrier mount 226. In other examples, enclosed rollers may be used to facilitate sliding movement of the shield 216. The locking mechanism 230 is mounted on a support 232 and allows a technician to manually lock the position of the shield 216. For example, the locking mechanism 230 may include a pin configured to engage into a detent in the shield mount 224.

In this example, the shield mount 224 extends through the entire length of the shield 216, but does not extend outwardly from the shield 216. This configuration facilitates the technician being able to more easily work around and position the patient about the patient protection system 200. The shield 216 may also include a frame 250 to facilitate coupling the shield 216 to the shield mount 224.

In operation, the shield 216 may be positioned by a technician along an accurate path of travel as needed or desired, and the locking mechanism 230 allows the shield 216 to remain in place to position the patient at the imaging system. The shield 216 has a wide range of motion to accommodate large tip sweep angles and, thus, a large moment arm may be created within the patient shield system 200 when the shield 216 is positioned in the leftmost or rightmost position. By spacing the legs 234 apart and surrounding both sides of the shield mount 224 with the support 232, the support 214 is strong and able to support the cantilevered position of the shield 216 even when the patient is pressed against the shield 216 and applies a force to the patient shield system 200. Furthermore, the support 214 extends through the entire length of the shield 216, so that the shield 216 can support the patient in its extended position and does not deflect into the X-ray field of the imaging system.

Fig. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of imaging a breast of a patient. The method 300 may be performed on the imaging system described herein or any other imaging system as needed or desired. The method 300 begins by positioning a compression arm assembly (operation 302). The compression arm assembly includes a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform. The patient's breast is then secured between the compression paddle and the platform (operation 304). In some examples, positioning the compression arm assembly includes positioning the compression arm assembly in an MLO imaging position.

The shield is positioned at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head (operation 306). The shield is coupled to the support arm by at least the arm and the carrier. The shield is linearly movable along the arm via the carrier relative to the support arm and laterally movable via the carriage along a plane orthogonal to the arm, and the path of travel of the shield is arcuate in shape along the lateral plane. Once the shield is positioned, one or more of the first X-ray images are acquired in at least one first imaging mode (operation 308). At least one first imaging mode is at a tip angle less than or equal to + -7 DEG relative to a 0 DEG tip angle. In another example, the at least one first imaging mode is at a tip angle less than or equal to ±7.5° relative to a 0 ° tip angle. In one aspect, the at least one first imaging modality comprises tomosynthesis imaging. In another aspect, the at least one first imaging modality comprises mammography imaging. In yet another aspect, the at least one first imaging modality includes tomosynthesis and mammography imaging. In yet another aspect, the second imaging modality is enhanced tomosynthesis.

One or more second X-ray images are then acquired in a second imaging mode (operation 310). The second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than + -7.5 DEG relative to the 0 DEG tip angle, and the shield is positioned relative to the X-ray field of the second imaging mode. In another example, the second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle, and the shield is positioned relative to an X-ray field of the second imaging mode. In one aspect, the second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than or equal to ±15.5° relative to a 0 ° tip angle, and in this example, the projection image (e.g., between ±7.5° and ±15.5°) may be eliminated for the location that resulted in the image artifact formed by the stent of the patient protection system. In some examples, the method 300 may further include locking the shield in place relative to the compression arm assembly (operation 312).

Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of a patient protection system 400 attached to an imaging system 402. Fig. 12 is a front view of a patient protection cover system 400 attached to an imaging system 402. Referring to both fig. 11 and 12, a patient protection system 400 is disposed between a paddle support 404 and an X-ray tube head 406 and coupled to a support arm 408. The patient protection cover system 400 includes a carrier 410 coupled to an arm 412. In addition, the patient protection cover system 400 includes a support 414 configured to support a protection cover (not shown). The support 414 includes a pair of legs 416 extending between the carrier 410 and the shield. The pair of legs 416 are spaced apart from each other by a distance 418. The separation distance 418 enables the shield to be supported in a cantilever configuration. In addition, the separation distance 418 provides an area within the patient protective cover system 400 that is free of any structure such that image artifacts of the leg 416 are reduced or prevented during the imaging process.

As shown in fig. 12, the tip 406 is positioned at a 0 tip angle. The inner surface 420 of each leg 416 is spaced apart 418 such that the tip 406 can move between + -8 deg. without the legs 416 forming image artifacts in the corresponding X-ray images. The separation distance 418 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the compression surface of the breast support platform. Thus, when the X-ray source is at a 0 deg. tip angle, the separation distance 418 is substantially orthogonal to the X-ray beam direction. This separation distance 418 enables 15 ° tomosynthesis scans to be performed without interference from the legs 416. In addition, the working or positioning light emitted from the tip 406 is not blocked by the patient protection system 400. Further, the legs 416 are offset in a downward direction 422 relative to the tube head 406. The offset direction 422 enables the tip 406 to rotate relative to the patient protection system 400 without creating a pinch point at the leg 416 and protecting the technician. The offset direction 422 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the compression surface of the breast support platform. Thus, when the X-ray source is at a 0 deg. tip angle, the offset direction 422 is substantially parallel to the X-ray beam direction.

In this example, the cross-sectional profile of each leg 416 is substantially triangular in shape. The triangular shape is oriented in a downward direction with the inner surface 420 oriented at a ± 8 ° tube head angular position and the outer surface 424 oriented at a ± 15 ° tube head angular position. Each leg 416 also includes a top surface 426 extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. Thus, the patient protection system 400 is positioned on the imaging system 402 such that each leg 416 is positioned between either-15 ° and-8 ° or +8 and +15° tip angles. The cross-sectional profile of the leg is configured to increase the structural strength of the leg 416 for supporting the shield and reduce or prevent image artifacts during imaging procedures at certain projection angles. For example, the size, shape, and location of the legs 416 prevent image artifacts from occurring in projection angles of the legs 416 outside the-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tube head angle ranges, while the size, shape, and location of the legs 416 reduce image artifacts in projection angles of the legs 416 within the-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tube head angle ranges. Furthermore, the location of each leg 416 between-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tip angular range increases the compactness of the patient protection system 400 on the imaging system 402 and thus increases the working space for the technician.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the legs 416 of the patient protection system 400 (shown in fig. 11 and 12). In this example, the legs 416 have a triangular cross-sectional profile with the inner surface 420 aligned with a tube head angle of ±8°. In one aspect, the 8 ° angle is based on aligning 428 an outer edge of an X-ray imaging region of the X-ray source 430 with an edge (e.g., a closer edge) of an X-ray detector (not shown) such that the leg 416 is outside the imaging region and does not form an image artifact of the leg 416 at the 8 ° projection angle. The outer surface 424 is angularly aligned with the ± 15 ° tube head. In one aspect, the 15 ° angle is based on aligning 432 an outer edge of an X-ray imaging region of the X-ray source 430 with another edge (e.g., another edge) of the X-ray detector such that the leg 416 is outside the imaging region and does not form an image artifact of the leg 416 at the 15 ° projection angle. Thus, the legs 416 generate image artifacts only when the X-ray tube head angle is between-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15°, because the X-ray source 430 emits the X-ray beam 434 through at least a portion of the legs 416.

The shadow width 436 of the image artifact is based at least in part on the top surface 426 of the leg 416. Thus, a larger top surface 426 produces a larger shadow width 436 than a smaller top surface. However, as the cross-sectional area of the leg 416 decreases, the smaller top surface 426 corresponds to the smaller structural strength of the leg 416 than the larger top surface 426. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the legs 416 may take other shapes to enhance the performance of the patient protection system. Furthermore, in the examples described herein, the width of the shadow width 436 of the leg 416 is such that when image artifacts are generated in two adjacent projection angles, the image artifacts of the leg 416 do not overlap in image location so that the projected image can be used for reconstruction. Two examples of other cross-sectional shapes are further described below with reference to fig. 14 and 15, however, any other shape may be used as needed or desired.

During operation of the imaging system, the X-ray tube head rotates to take a plurality of projection images of the patient's breast. In some examples, the X-ray source 430 may rotate with the tube head between ±60° and acquire projection images at a predetermined angular rotation. In one aspect, the projection image may be acquired approximately every 1 °. Thus, when the X-ray source 430 is at a tip angle between-15 ° and-8 ° or +8° and +15° and corresponds to the position of the leg 416, the X-ray beam 434 intentionally strikes the leg 416 and image artifacts are intentionally formed in the projection image. Thus, the structure and location of the legs 416 within the patient protection system reduces both the number of projection angles including image artifacts of the legs 416 and the width of the image artifact shadows within the projected image. In one aspect, when the X-ray source 430 is at a ±8° tube head angle, no image artifacts of the leg 416 are generated during imaging. On the other hand, when the X-ray source 430 is at a ±15° tube head angle, no image artifacts of the leg 416 are generated during imaging.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of another leg 450 that may be used with the patient protection system 400 (shown in fig. 11 and 12). Certain components are described above and therefore need not be described further. In this example, the leg 450 is positioned on the imaging system such that it is between-15 ° and-8 ° or +8° and +15° tube head angle and is similar to that described above. However, the leg 450 has a circular cross-sectional profile. The circular perimeter is sized such that the inner surface 420 maintains angular alignment with a ± 8 ° tube head and the outer surface 424 maintains angular alignment with a ± 15 ° tube head. The top surface 426 is smaller on the circular perimeter and, therefore, the shadow width 452 generated by the legs 450 is reduced and smaller compared to the triangular shape example described above with reference to fig. 13. By shaping and sizing the leg 450 to reduce the image artifact size, more information can be obtained via the projection imaging process. In one aspect, the size of the circular perimeter is based on inscribing the triangular shape shown in fig. 13 (e.g., the circular perimeter is tangent to each side of the triangle).

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of another leg 475 that may be used with patient protection system 400 (shown in fig. 11 and 12). Certain components are described above and therefore need not be described further. In this example, the leg 475 is positioned on the imaging system such that it is between-15 ° and-8 ° or +8° and +15° tube head angle and is similar to that described above. However, the legs 475 have quadrilateral and diamond-shaped cross-sectional profiles. The quadrilateral perimeter is sized such that the inner surface 420 maintains angular alignment with a ± 8 ° tube head and the outer surface 424 maintains angular alignment with a ± 15 ° tube head. The top surface 426 has a similar size to the circular perimeter described above, and therefore, the shadow width 477 generated by the legs 475 is reduced and smaller compared to the triangular shape example described above with reference to fig. 13. In this example, the shadow width 477 may be substantially equal to the circular shadow width described above with reference to fig. 14. By shaping and sizing the leg 475 to reduce the image artifact size, more information can be obtained via the projection imaging process. In one aspect, the diamond shape is sized based on the circular perimeter shown in fig. 14 inscribing the diamond shape such that the circular perimeter is tangential to each side of the quadrilateral. It should be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes of the legs are also contemplated herein, such as polygonal, elliptical, etc.

Fig. 16 depicts a plurality of projection images 500 from an imaging system taken through a leg 502 of a patient protection mask system. As described above, the imaging systems described herein may operate in a tomosynthesis imaging mode and/or an enhanced or wide angle tomosynthesis mode. During a tomosynthesis scan, the tip is rotated relative to the patient's breast, and in some aspects, the projection image 500 may be acquired at a predetermined angle between ±60° tip angle. In one example, the imaging system is configured to acquire 57 projection images between ±30° tube head angles. Because the legs of the patient protection are disposed between-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tip angles, at least some of the 57 projection images include image artifacts 504 generated by the pair of legs 502 of the patient protection extending through the X-ray beam. Fig. 16 illustrates frames 14-20 of a projection image taken through one leg of a pair of legs 502, while frames 36-42 correspond to a projection image taken through the other leg of the pair of legs 502.

As described above, the shape and size of the legs 502 are designed such that at each projection angle at which an X-ray beam is emitted through the legs 502, the corresponding image artifact 504 in the projected image does not overlap with an adjacent image. For example, when frames overlap each other, the top edge 506 of the image artifact 504 shown in frame 17 does not overlap the bottom edge 508 of the image artifact 504 shown in frame 18. By preventing image artifact overlap between projection images, a greater number of frames may be used during tomosynthesis reconstruction. On the one hand, if image artifacts do overlap between projected images, those corresponding frames may not be used for reconstruction. In some examples, tomosynthesis reconstruction performed with projection images may discard and not use images with image artifacts 504 of the legs (e.g., projection images between-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tip angles). However, discarding all projection images between-15 ° and-8 ° and +8° and +15° tube head angles can reduce the quality of the reconstructed image(s). Thus, and in other examples, the imaging system may still use the projected image containing the image artifact 504 of the leg during reconstruction by performing imaging correction.

In this example, an image processor of the imaging system (e.g., image processor 132 shown in fig. 1 including memory and processor (s)) is used to identify the location of image artifact 504 within each projection image, segment image artifact 504, and reconstruct the plurality of projection images 500 into a tomosynthesis reconstruction based on the processed and segmented projection images. For example, the image processor may identify a top edge 506 and a bottom edge 508 of the image artifact 504 within each projection image. Once the location of the image artifact 504 is identified, the image artifact location is segmented and replaced with a uniform background. In one aspect, the localization of the image artifact 504 may be performed by pixels, and the pixels of the image artifact 504 are replaced with background values that are uniform and do not provide image data. It should be appreciated that the segmentation may be performed in either the spatial (e.g., pixel) domain or the frequency domain as needed or desired. By removing image artifact values in the projection image, reconstruction of the processed tomosynthesis image can be performed without forming shadows in the reconstruction, as shown in fig. 17 described below.

Fig. 17 depicts reconstructed images 510, 512 from a projection image 500 (shown in fig. 16). When backprojection reconstruction is performed on the projected image 500 without image artifact correction, shadows 514 are formed in the reconstructed image 510. These shadows 514 are undesirable and degrade the quality of the reconstructed image 510. In contrast, when correcting the imaged artifacts (e.g., via the above-described process), no shadows are formed in the reconstructed image 512 when performing a back-projection reconstruction of the segmented projection image 500. Thus, if reconstruction is performed after segmentation of the image artifact of the leg, the reconstructed image 512 is of better quality.

With continued reference to fig. 16, as the number of projection images 500 for reconstruction decreases, the performance and accuracy of tomosynthesis scans decreases. Thus, the size, shape, and location of the legs 502 of the patient protection system reduces the number of projection images 500 that include image artifacts 504 from the legs 502. This improves the performance and accuracy of the broken layer composite scan. In addition, by continuing to shoot the leg 502 with the X-ray beam and then correcting the resulting projection image 500, the performance and accuracy of tomosynthesis scans is further improved by adding imaging data for reconstruction. Imaging performance is improved by using, for example, 85% of the projected image (e.g., segmenting out the image artifact 504) as compared to completely removing the projected image if the image artifact 504 were included in the projected image.

In some examples, the projected image 500 may also cause other components of the imaging system to be shown on the frame during imaging. For example, these components may be part of a collimator, an X-ray detector, etc. In some aspects, when the image artifacts 504 are near the detector edges and are only partially imaged (e.g., frames 14, 20, 36, and 42), it may be difficult to identify the top or bottom edges 506, 508 of these artifacts due to other components of the imaging system. Thus, the image processor may further improve the accuracy of the image artifact correction process by generating a fitted curve to the top or bottom edges 506, 508 of the frames (e.g., frames 15-19 and 37-41) showing the entire image artifact 504, and then determining the top edge 506 or bottom edge 508 of the image artifact 504 that is only partially shown based on the fitted curve and prior to segmenting the image artifact 504.

To generate the fitted curve, the image processor identifies the location of the top edge 506 of the image artifact 504 in two or more frames showing the entire image artifact 504. These frames may be, for example, frames 15-19 or frames 37-41 shown in fig. 16. Based on the fitted curve of the top edge 506, the image processor may determine the top edge 506 in the frame 14 or 36. Similarly, the image processor identifies the location of the bottom edge 508 of the image artifact 504 in two or more frames showing the entire image artifact 504. These frames may be, for example, frames 15-19 or frames 37-41. Based on the fitted curve of the bottom edge 508, the image processor may determine the bottom edge 508 in the frame 20 or 42. While the above examples describe a fitted curve based on edge locations of the image artifacts 504, it should be appreciated that other fitted curves may be used as needed or desired. For example, a fitted curve based on the location of the region of the image artifact 504 may be used. The image processor may also take into account the magnification differences (e.g., the distance of the X-ray source from the receptor) in each projection image as the tube head angle changes and as needed or desired.

Fig. 18 depicts a flow chart illustrating another method 600 of imaging a breast of a patient. The method 600 may be performed on the imaging system described above or any other imaging system as needed or desired. The method 600 begins by securing a breast of a patient in a compression arm assembly (operation 602). The compression arm assembly includes a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform. Furthermore, a shield is positioned at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head (operation 604). The shield is positioned on one side of the tube head plane and at least one leg supports the shield and extends through the tube head plane.

A plurality of X-ray projection images of a patient's breast are acquired during tomosynthesis imaging (operation 606). At least two of the plurality of X-ray projections include image artifacts from at least one leg, and the at least one leg is shaped and sized such that the locations of the image artifacts within the at least two X-ray projection images do not overlap one another. In one aspect, acquiring at least two X-ray projection images includes emitting X-rays between-15 ° and-8 ° and/or +8° and +15° tip angles and taking images through legs of a patient shield.

At least two X-ray projection images are processed to segment image artifacts (operation 608). In some examples, processing the projection image includes identifying a location of an image artifact within the image and segmenting the image artifact with a background value. The position identification of the image artifact may comprise determining the positions of two outermost edges of the image artifact. By determining the outermost edge position of the image artifact, the method may comprise processing an X-ray projection image of the portion of the image artifact having at least one leg. Based on the determined position of at least one of the two outermost edges, a fitted curve may be generated such that an edge of the partial image artifact is determined from at least two X-ray projection images having the two outermost edges. Thus, the processing of partial image artifacts has increased accuracy.

Based on the processed at least two X-ray projection images, one or more tomosynthesis images are then reconstructed (operation 610). Such reconstruction may be performed using back projection in the spatial or frequency domain as needed or desired.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another patient protection device 700. Fig. 20 is a rear view of the patient protection system 700. Referring concurrently to fig. 19 and 20, a patient protection system 700 is configured for use with the imaging system 100 (shown in fig. 1-6) and has similar functionality to the examples described above. The patient protection system 700 includes an arm 702 having an arm plate 704, the arm plate 704 being configured to be releasably secured to a compression arm assembly of the imaging system 100. In this example, the arm plate 704 may include one or more handles 706 and a locking mechanism 708 as needed or desired. The carrier 710 is coupled to the other end of the arm 702 and is configured to support a support 712 for a shroud 714. The carrier 710 is selectively slidable along the arm 702. The carrier 710 includes a cross member 716, the end of the cross member 716 including a button 718 to facilitate positioning of the carrier 710 along the arm 702.

The support 712 is configured to support the shield 714 and enable the shield 714 to be selectively positioned on the imaging system 100 for use in high angle imaging procedures as described herein. The bracket 712 includes a shield mount 720 coupled to the shield 714 and a carrier mount 722 coupled to the carrier 710. In this example, the carrier mount 722 defines a track and the shield mount 720 is configured to slide within the track. The carrier mount 722 may include one or more slide bearings to facilitate movement of the shield mount 720 (e.g., top, bottom, and/or side slide bearings). The sliding bearing may be a roller as described above. In other examples, the slide bearings may be V-shaped rollers (e.g., rollers with annular V-shaped grooves) supported by the carrier mount 722 with corresponding tracks formed in the shield mount 720. In still other examples, the shield mount 720 may support V-shaped rollers while the carrier mount 722 defines a corresponding track.

At the rear of the shield mount 720, the patient shield system 700 may include a locking mechanism 724 at each side of the shield 714, the locking mechanism 724 configured to fix the position of the shield mount 720 and the shield 714 relative to the carrier mount 722. In an example, the locking mechanism 724 may be a pair of levers coupled via a biasing rod that applies a frictional force to the carrier mount 722. This configuration enables a technician to position the shield 714 with one hand while holding the patient shield 714. In other examples, the locking mechanism 724 may have any other structure that enables the protective cover 714 to function as described herein.

The carrier mount 722 includes a support 726 that engages with the shield mount 720 and a pair of legs 728 that extend from the support 726 and are coupled to the cross member 716 of the carrier 710. In this example, the pair of legs 728 are substantially cylindrical and have a circular cross-sectional profile in order to reduce image artifact sides during the imaging process and are similar to the legs described above with reference to fig. 14.

In some examples, the carrier mount 722 may include an electronic drive 730 (e.g., a motor and drive member) that enables the shield mount 720 to automatically move relative to the carrier mount 722. By providing automatic motion control of the boot 714 (e.g., via the system controls and workstation 134 shown in fig. 1), the boot 714 may be configured to be automatically positioned based on the manner in which the compression arm assembly 104 (shown in fig. 1) moves. In other examples, a technician may use the electronic drive 730 to position the protective shield 714 as needed or desired.

The shield mount 720 and/or the carrier mount 722 may include one or more sensors 732 to determine the position of the shield 714 on the imaging system by either manual shield 714 movement or automatic shield 714 movement. In an example, the sensor 732 may provide a position of the protective shield 714 and, based on that position, indicate to a technician a direction or position toward which to move the protective shield 714. In other examples, sensor 732 may be used to determine a direction of movement of electronic drive 730.

In this example, the sides of the boot 714 may include a pair of wings 734. The wings 734 may be manually pivoted such that each wing may be aligned in the plane of the protective cover 714 or at an angular position relative to the protective cover 714. In one aspect, the wings 734 may be positioned substantially orthogonal to the plane of the shield 714. When the wings 734 are aligned in the plane of the protective cover 714, the wings 734 may extend at least partially within the carrier mount 722 such that the angular range of movement of the protective cover 714 is not inhibited. The wings 734 increase the surface area of the shield 714 to increase patient comfort while also providing return on the sides of the shield 714 to increase patient support and comfort. The wings 734 further limit the patient from interfering with the X-ray beam during imaging. In various aspects, the wings 734 may be removable from the protective cover 714 as needed or desired.

The protective cover 714 may also include a frame 736 that supports a substantially transparent window member 738. In one aspect, the frame 736 extends completely around the perimeter of the transparent window member 738. In other aspects, the frame 736 extends only partially around the perimeter of the transparent window member 738. In still other aspects, the protective cover 714 itself may be formed of a substantially transparent material. By allowing the patient to see through the shield 714, patient comfort and calm is improved. In addition, visibility to the technician is also improved.

Examples:

illustrative examples of the systems and methods described herein are provided below. Embodiments of the systems or methods described herein may include any one or more of the following clauses and any combination thereof.

Clause 1. An imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

a portal frame;

a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable with respect to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head including an X-ray source movable along a first plane via the X-ray tube head; and

A patient protection cover system at least partially disposed between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising:

an arm removably coupled to the support arm;

a carrier slidably coupled to the arm;

a protective cover; and

a bracket coupling the shield to the carrier, wherein the bracket includes a shield mount coupled to the shield and a carrier mount coupled to the carrier, the shield mount engaging with the carrier mount to allow the shield to be slidably moved relative to the carrier, and wherein the bracket defines a travel path of the shield that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the travel path having an arcuate shape.

Clause 2. The imaging system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the shield comprises a flat plate.

Clause 3 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the angular displacement of the shield along the path of travel is at least 60 °.

Clause 4 the imaging system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the carrier mount comprises a radiolucent plate secured to the carrier.

Clause 5 the imaging system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the carrier mount comprises a support configured to engage the shield mount and a pair of legs extending from the support and configured to couple to the carrier, and an opening is defined by the support, the pair of legs, and the carrier, the opening being shaped and sized to allow X-rays to pass through the patient shield system.

Clause 6. An imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

a portal frame;

a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head comprising an X-ray source rotatable along a first plane via an X-ray tube; and

a patient protection cover system at least partially disposed between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising:

an arm removably coupled to the support arm and defining a longitudinal axis;

a carrier slidably coupled to the arm;

a protective cover; and

a bracket coupling the shield to the carrier, wherein the bracket is configured to allow the shield to move along a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the shield has an arcuate shape along a path of travel of the transverse plane.

Clause 7 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the 0 ° tip angle is defined as the X-ray tip being orthogonal to the platform, and wherein the shield is movable along the path of travel between at least ±30° relative to the 0 ° tip angle.

Clause 8 the imaging system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the shield has a first edge and an opposing second edge, and wherein the first edge is positionable over 30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the first edge, and the second edge is positionable over-30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the second edge.

Clause 9 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the bracket further comprises a locking mechanism to fix the position of the shield relative to the carrier.

Clause 10 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the arcuate shape is defined about an axis of rotation.

Clause 11. A method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

positioning a compression arm assembly at a first imaging location, the compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

fixing the patient's breast between the compression paddle and the platform;

positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of an X-ray source of the X-ray tube head, the shield coupled to the support arm by at least an arm and a carrier, wherein the shield is linearly movable along the arm via the carrier relative to the support arm and laterally movable via the bracket along a plane orthogonal to the arm, and wherein a travel path of the shield is arcuate in shape along the lateral plane;

Acquiring one or more first X-ray images in at least one first imaging mode, wherein the at least one first imaging mode is at a tip angle of less than or equal to ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle; and

one or more second X-ray images are acquired in a second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle, and wherein the shield is positioned relative to an X-ray field of the second imaging mode.

Clause 12. The method of any of the clauses herein, further comprising locking the position of the shield relative to the compression arm assembly.

Clause 13 the method of any of the clauses herein, wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises tomosynthesis imaging.

The method of any of clauses herein wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises mammography imaging.

Clause 15 the method of any of the clauses herein, wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises tomosynthesis and mammography imaging.

Clause 16 the method of any of the clauses herein, wherein the second imaging modality is an enhanced tomosynthesis modality.

Clause 17. The method of any of the clauses herein, wherein positioning the compression arm assembly comprises positioning the compression arm assembly in an MLO imaging position.

Clause 18 an imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

a portal frame;

a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable relative to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head comprising an X-ray source; and

a patient protection cover system at least partially disposed between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising:

an arm removably coupled to the support arm;

a carrier slidably coupled to the arm;

a protective cover; and

at least one leg supporting the shield on the carrier, wherein the 0 ° tube head angle is defined as being orthogonal to the support platform, and wherein the at least one leg is positioned on the support arm such that the at least one leg is between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.

Clause 19 the imaging system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the image artifact of the at least one leg is not generated during imaging when the X-ray source is at a ± 8 ° tube head angle.

Clause 20 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the image artifact of the at least one leg is not generated during imaging when the X-ray source is at a ± 15 ° tube head angle.

Clause 21 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is triangular in shape.

Clause 22 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is circular in shape.

Clause 23 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is quadrilateral in shape.

Clause 24 the imaging system of any of clauses herein, wherein the at least one leg comprises a pair of legs.

Clause 25. A method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

securing a patient's breast in a compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head, the shield positioned on one side of a tube head plane, at least one leg supporting the shield and extending through the tube head plane;

Acquiring a plurality of X-ray projection images of a patient's breast during tomosynthesis imaging, wherein at least two of the plurality of X-ray projection images include image artifacts from at least one leg, the at least one leg being shaped and dimensioned such that the positions of the image artifacts within the at least two X-ray projection images do not overlap each other;

processing the at least two X-ray projection images; and

one or more tomosynthesis images are reconstructed based on the processed at least two X-ray projection images.

Clause 26. The method of any of the clauses herein, wherein acquiring the at least two X-ray projection images comprises emitting an X-ray exposure between a ± 8 ° and a ± 15 ° tube head angle.

Clause 27. The method of any of the clauses herein, wherein processing the at least two X-ray projection images comprises identifying a location of an image artifact and segmenting the image artifact with a background value.

Clause 28. The method of any of the clauses herein, wherein identifying the location of the image artifact comprises determining the locations of two outermost edges of the image artifact.

Clause 29, the method according to any of the clauses herein, further comprising processing the X-ray projection image with the partial image artifact of the at least one leg, wherein a fitted curve is generated based on the determined position of at least one of the two outermost edges such that an edge of the partial image artifact is determined from the at least two X-ray projection images with the two outermost edges.

Clause 30. The method according to any of the clauses herein, wherein reconstructing the one or more tomosynthesis images is performed using back projection in a spatial or frequency domain.

Clause 31. A method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

securing a patient's breast in a compression arm assembly comprising a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of the X-ray tube head, the shield positioned on one side of a tube head plane, at least one leg supporting the shield and extending through the tube head plane;

acquiring a plurality of X-ray projection images of a patient's breast during tomosynthesis imaging, wherein at least one X-ray projection image of the plurality of X-ray projection images comprises image artifacts from the at least one leg;

identifying a location of an image artifact in the at least one X-ray projection image;

segmenting the image artifact with a background value; and

one or more tomosynthesis images are reconstructed based on the segmented at least one X-ray projection image.

The method of any of clauses herein wherein acquiring the at least one X-ray projection image includes emitting an X-ray exposure between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.

Clause 33, the method according to any of the clauses herein, wherein the at least one X-ray projection image having image artifacts includes at least two X-ray projection images having image artifacts from the at least one leg, the at least one leg being shaped and sized such that the image artifacts within the at least two X-ray projection images do not overlap each other.

Clause 34. The method according to any of the clauses herein, wherein identifying the location of the image artifact comprises determining the locations of two outermost edges of the image artifact.

Clause 35 the method according to any of the clauses herein, further comprising processing the X-ray projection image with the partial image artifact of the at least one leg, wherein a fitted curve is generated based on the determined position of at least one of the two outermost edges such that the edges of the partial image artifact are determined from the at least two X-ray projection images with the two outermost edges.

The present disclosure describes some examples of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible examples are shown. However, other aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the possible examples to those skilled in the art. Any number of the features of the different examples described herein may be combined into one single example, and alternative examples having fewer than or greater than all of the features described herein are possible. It is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Although specific examples are described herein, the scope of the present technology is not limited to those specific examples. Those skilled in the art will recognize other examples or modifications that are within the scope of the present technology. Thus, the specific structures, acts, or mediums are disclosed as illustrative examples only. Examples in accordance with the present technology may also combine elements or components generally disclosed but not explicitly illustrated in combination unless otherwise indicated herein. The scope of the technology is defined by the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims (20)

1. An imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

a portal frame;

a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable with respect to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head including an X-ray source movable along a first plane via the X-ray tube head; and

a patient protection cover system at least partially disposed between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising:

an arm removably coupled to the support arm;

A carrier slidably coupled to the arm;

a protective cover; and

a bracket coupling the shield to the carrier, wherein the bracket includes a shield mount coupled to the shield and a carrier mount coupled to the carrier, the shield mount engaging with the carrier mount to allow the shield to be slidably moved relative to the carrier, and wherein the bracket defines a travel path of the shield that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the travel path having an arcuate shape.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a flat plate.

3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the angular displacement of the shield along the travel path is at least 60 °.

4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the carrier mount comprises a support configured to engage the shield mount and a pair of legs extending from the support and configured to couple to the carrier, and wherein the opening is defined by the support, the pair of legs, and the carrier, the opening being shaped and sized to allow X-rays to pass through the patient shield system.

5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the 0 ° tip angle is defined as the X-ray tip being orthogonal to the platform, and wherein the shield is movable along the travel path between at least ±30° relative to the 0 ° tip angle.

6. The imaging system of claim 5, wherein the shield has a first edge and an opposing second edge, and wherein the first edge is positionable over 30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the first edge, and the second edge is positionable over-30 ° when the shield is moved in a direction toward the second edge.

7. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a locking mechanism to fix a position of the shield relative to the carrier.

8. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the arcuate shape is defined about an axis of rotation of the X-ray tube head.

9. An imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

a portal frame;

a compression arm assembly rotatably coupled to the gantry, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting the compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

an X-ray tube head rotatably coupled to the gantry and independently rotatable relative to the compression arm assembly, the X-ray tube head comprising an X-ray source; and

a patient protection cover system at least partially disposed between the compression paddle and the X-ray source, the patient protection cover system comprising:

An arm removably coupled to the support arm;

a carrier slidably coupled to the arm;

a protective cover; and

at least one leg supporting the shield on the carrier, wherein the 0 ° tube head angle is defined as being orthogonal to the support platform, and wherein the at least one leg is positioned on the support arm such that the at least one leg is between ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.

10. The imaging system of claim 9, wherein image artifacts of the at least one leg are not generated during imaging when the X-ray source is at a ± 8 ° tube head angle.

11. The imaging system of claim 9, wherein image artifacts of the at least one leg are not generated during imaging when the X-ray source is at a ± 15 ° tube head angle.

12. The imaging system of claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional profile of the at least one leg is circular in shape.

13. The imaging system of claim 9, wherein the at least one leg comprises a pair of legs.

14. A method of imaging a breast of a patient, comprising:

positioning a compression arm assembly in a first imaging position, the compression arm assembly including a support arm supporting a compression paddle, a platform, and an X-ray receptor disposed below the platform;

Fixing the patient's breast between the compression paddle and the platform;

positioning a shield at least partially between the patient and an X-ray field of an X-ray source of the X-ray tube head, the shield being coupled to the support arm by at least an arm and a carrier, wherein the shield is linearly movable along the arm via the carrier relative to the support arm and laterally movable via the bracket along a plane orthogonal to the arm, and wherein a travel path of the shield is arcuate in shape along the lateral plane;

acquiring one or more first X-ray images in at least one first imaging mode, wherein the at least one first imaging mode is at a tip angle of less than or equal to ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle; and

one or more second X-ray images are acquired in a second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode is at a tip angle greater than ±7° relative to a 0 ° tip angle, and wherein the shield is positioned relative to an X-ray field of the second imaging mode.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising locking the position of the shield relative to the compression arm assembly.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises tomosynthesis imaging.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises mammography imaging.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one first imaging modality comprises tomosynthesis and mammography imaging.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the second imaging modality is an enhanced tomosynthesis modality.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning the compression arm assembly comprises positioning the compression arm assembly in an MLO imaging position.