System and method for low dose tomosynthesis
View Patent ↗A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
1. A method of imaging a breast using a multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, the method comprising:
acquiring a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the first x-ray dose is emitted from an emission source when the emission source is stationary; and
acquiring a set of tomosynthesis images of the breast in a second mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the set of tomosynthesis images is acquired from a plurality of projection images, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is acquired at a projection image x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, wherein each projection image x-ray dose is emitted when the emission source is rotating relative to the breast.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional image is acquired at an angle similar to that of a conventional mammogram.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional image is used to identify calcifications in the breast and the set of tomosynthesis images is used to identify masses in the breast.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein identification of calcifications in the breast is accomplished via a CAD mark representative of the calcification on the two-dimensional image.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein identification of masses in the breast is accomplished via a CAD mark representative of the masses on the set of tomosynthesis images.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the projection image x-ray dose administered for acquisition of the set of tomosynthesis images, the controlling the projection image x-ray dose comprising adjusting at least one of an x-ray tube voltage, x-ray current, x-ray filter, exposure time, and combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the projection image x-ray dose administered for acquisition of the set of tomosynthesis images, the controlling the projection image x-ray dose comprising adjusting at least one of a tomosynthesis scan angle and a number of projection images obtained for the set.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising using an anti-scatter grid for the first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the projection image x-ray dose is updated automatically in response to selection or use of the second mode of operation.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a total x-ray dosage of the plurality of projection images is input manually.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a total dosage of the plurality of projection images x-ray doses is less than the first x-ray dose.
12. A multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system comprising:
an x-ray source configured to move along an arc; and
an x-ray detector;
wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are configured to (a) acquire a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation, wherein the two-dimensional image is acquired when the x-ray source is stationary and (b) acquire a set of tomosynthesis images of the breast in a second mode of operation, wherein the set of tomosynthesis images is acquired with a plurality of projection images, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is acquired at a projection image x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, and wherein the plurality of projection images are acquired when the x-ray source is moving along the arc.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the two-dimensional image is acquired at an angle similar to that of a conventional mammogram.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein a total dosage of the plurality of projection images x-ray doses is less than the first x-ray dose.
15. A method of imaging a breast using a multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, the method comprising:
acquiring a two-dimensional image of a breast using a first x-ray dose in a first mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein the first x-ray dose is emitted from a stationary position; and
acquiring a set of projection images of the breast in a second mode of operation of the multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis system, wherein each image of the set of projection images is acquired at a second x-ray dose less than the first x-ray dose, wherein the second x-ray dose is emitted during a rotational movement of an x-ray source that emits the x-ray.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the two-dimensional image is acquired at an angle similar to that of a conventional mammogram.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising controlling the second x-ray dose administered for acquisition of the set of tomosynthesis images, the controlling the second x-ray dose comprising adjusting at least one of an x-ray tube voltage, x-ray current, x-ray filter, exposure time, and combinations thereof.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising controlling the second x-ray dose administered for acquisition of the set of tomosynthesis images, the controlling the second x-ray dose comprising adjusting at least one of a tomosynthesis scan angle and a number of projection images obtained for the set.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second x-ray dose is updated automatically in response to selection or use of the second mode of operation.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein a total dosage of the set of projection images is less than the first x-ray dose.