X-ray scatter reducing device for use with 2D mammography and tomosynthesis
Systems and methods for reducing X-ray scatter during breast imaging, and more specifically during tomosynthesis imaging. In one embodiment, an anti-scatter grid having a plurality of septa may be configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray imaging device such that each septum of the plurality of septa extends along a direction substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging of the subject using the X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device may be operable in a tomosynthesis mode for imaging of a breast of the subject and may include the anti-scatter grid disposed between a breast platform and the X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid may be configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during tomosynthesis imaging.
1. A method of reducing x-ray scatter in a tomosynthesis system comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, the method comprising:
positioning an anti-scatter grid between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector, wherein the anti-scatter grid comprises a plurality of septa;
orienting the plurality of septa in an orientation substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject;
immobilizing a breast of the subject;
moving the x-ray source along a path about the breast of the subject;
rotating the x-ray detector and the anti-scatter grid to maintain orientation with the x-ray source for x-ray exposure, wherein the x-ray detector and the anti-scatter grid are rotated around a central axis fixed within the tomosynthesis system;
emitting a plurality of x-ray exposures from the x-ray source during movement of the x-ray source; and
during emission of the plurality of x-ray exposures from the x-ray source, moving the x-ray anti-scatter grid relative to at least one of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling a motion of the anti-scatter grid to at least one of a motion of the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises translating the anti-scatter grid.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises moving the anti-scatter grid in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein moving the anti-scatter grid comprises moving the grid at a velocity.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein a profile of the velocity is at least one of substantially trapezoidal and substantially sinusoidal.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the velocity is effective to reduce a Moire pattern on an image obtained from a detection of at least one of the plurality of x-ray exposures by the x-ray detector.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein immobilizing the breast further comprises compressing the breast.
9. A method of imaging a breast with an x-ray imaging system, the method comprising:
receiving a breast on a breast support platform, wherein an x-ray detector is disposed on a side of the breast support platform opposite the breast;
compressing the breast between the breast support platform and a breast compression paddle;
disposing an anti-scatter grid between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform;
imaging the breast in a first imaging mode, wherein the first imaging mode comprises a first x-ray imaging mode, wherein a plurality of x-ray emissions are emitted from an x-ray source across a first range of motion;
retracting the anti-scatter grid from between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform; and
imaging the breast in a second x-ray imaging mode, wherein at least one x-ray emission is emitted from the x-ray source.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein during imaging in the first x-ray imaging mode, moving the anti-scatter grid relative to the breast.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising orienting a plurality of septa of the anti-scatter grid in an orientation substantially parallel to a coronal plate of a subject.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein during the first x-ray imaging mode, the x-ray detector rotates relative to the breast support platform.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein during the first x-ray imaging mode, the moving of the anti-scatter grid comprises a rotation substantially with the x-ray detector.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein during the first x-ray imaging mode, the moving of the anti-scatter grid further comprises moving the anti-scatter grid in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of a subject.
15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising coupling a movement of the anti-scatter grid with a movement of the x-ray detector during the first x-ray imaging mode.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the movement of the x-ray detector is a tilting movement.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising moving the x-ray source during the first x-ray imaging mode.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising, during the first x-ray imaging mode, emitting an x-ray energy from the x-ray source during movement of the x-ray source.
19. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second x-ray imaging mode is performed subsequent to the first x-ray imaging mode.
20. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the second x-ray imaging mode is performed subsequent to the first x-ray imaging mode.
21. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first x-ray imaging mode is tomosynthesis.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second x-ray imaging mode is mammography.