Patent · US Expired

Tomosynthesis X-ray mammogram system and method with automatic drive system

US6882700B2 · kind B2 · utility

139Cited by
41References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 15, 2002
Grant dateApr 19, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 23, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B6/56
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An imaging system includes an X-ray source adapted to move in an arc shaped path and a stationary electronic X-ray detector. The system also includes a track and a mechanical driving mechanism which is adapted to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path. A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method includes mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track and irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path. The method also includes detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with an electronic X-ray detector, and constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.