Breast biopsy and needle localization using tomosynthesis systems

1. A method for displaying contrast tomosynthesis reconstructed images of a breast of a patient, the method comprising:

performing a tomosynthesis scan of the breast while the breast contains a contrast agent, the tomosynthesis scan comprising:

moving an imaging x-ray source through a plurality of imaging positions along a source trajectory; and

obtaining a plurality of images corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging positions, wherein the plurality of images includes a first set of images and a second set of images;

based on the first set of images and the second set of images, deriving tomosynthesis reconstructed images representing respective slices of the breast;

displaying at least one of the tomosynthesis reconstructed images of the breast;

receiving an indication on at least one of the tomosynthesis reconstructed images of an area of interest within the breast;

determining, from the indication, three-dimensional coordinates of the area of interest;

positioning an insertable artificial element at the area of interest in the breast, based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the area of interest; and

emitting, after positioning the insertable artificial element, a plurality of verification x-ray beams of a same image type along a verification imaging trajectory from the imaging x-ray source at a plurality of verification x-ray positions, wherein at least two of the plurality of verification x-ray beams corresponds to at least a first x-ray dose and a second x-ray dose different than the first x-ray dose.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of verification imaging positions are disposed along the verification imaging trajectory.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertable artificial element is one of:

a needle;

a wire; or

a marker.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the insertable artificial element is the needle, and the verification imaging trajectory is disposed asymmetrically to the needle.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the insertable artificial element is the needle, and the needle is positioned in one of the following positions prior to emission of the verification x-ray beam:

a pre-extended position; or

an extended position.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein emitting the verification x-ray beam at the plurality of verification imaging positions comprises emitting a first x-ray beam on a first side of the insertable artificial element and emitting a second x-ray beam on a second side of the insertable artificial element.

7. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:

performing a biopsy at a location of the insertable artificial element.

8. A method for displaying contrast tomosynthesis reconstructed images of a breast of a patient, the method comprising:

performing a tomosynthesis scan of the breast while the breast contains a contrast agent, the tomosynthesis scan comprising:

moving an imaging x-ray source through a plurality of imaging positions along a source trajectory; and

obtaining a plurality of images corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging positions, wherein the plurality of images includes a first set of images and a second set of images;

based on the first set of images and the second set of images, deriving tomosynthesis reconstructed images representing respective slices of the breast;

displaying at least one of the tomosynthesis reconstructed images of the breast;

receiving an indication on at least one of the tomosynthesis reconstructed images of an area of interest within the breast;

determining, from the indication, three-dimensional coordinates of the area of interest;

positioning an insertable artificial element at the area of interest in the breast, based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the area of interest; and

emitting a plurality of verification x-ray beams along a verification imaging trajectory from the imaging x-ray source at a plurality of verification x-ray positions, wherein at least two of the plurality of verification x-ray beams corresponds to at least a first x-ray dose and a second x-ray dose different than the first x-ray dose;

wherein the verification imaging trajectory is disposed asymmetrically to the insertable artificial element.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of verification imaging positions are disposed along the verification imaging trajectory.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the insertable artificial element is one of:

a needle;

a wire; or

a marker.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the insertable artificial element is the needle.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the insertable artificial element is the needle, and the needle is positioned in one of the following positions prior to emission of the verification x-ray beam:

a pre-extended position; or

an extended position.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein emitting the verification x-ray beam at the plurality of verification imaging positions comprises emitting a first x-ray beam on a first side of the insertable artificial element and emitting a second x-ray beam on a second side of the insertable artificial element.

14. The method of claim 8 , the method further comprising:

performing a biopsy at a location of the insertable artificial element.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the insertable artificial element includes a tip for cutting a tissue and a stem for blocking or scattering x-rays.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the tip includes metallic material, and the stems includes x-ray transparent material.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the stem further includes an x-ray opaque rib.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the rib includes metallic material.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the rib is configured to be removed from the stem after firing the insertable artificial element.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the stem includes a first body and a second body, the first and second bodies are coaxial, the first body includes an x-ray transparent layer the second body includes an x-ray opaque layer.