Tomosynthesis with shifting focal spot x-ray system using an addressable array
US11076820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/068
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tomosynthesis system has an x-ray source with an addressable array of electron emitting sections on the cathode. The x-ray source moves rotationally about an imaging target, such as a breast. During the rotation, x-rays are emitting from the x-ray source while the x-ray source continues to move. During the emission of x-rays, different subsets of electron-emitting sections of the addressable array are activated to compensate for movement of the x-ray source. By activating the different subsets of electron-emitting sections, an effective focal spot of the x-ray position appears to retain the same shape, size, and position from the perspective of the imaging target, despite movement of the x-ray source itself.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.