IP Library Granted Patent US 7,330,529
Granted Patent B2
US 7,330,529 · App. 10/708,999 · Granted Feb 12, 2008

Stationary tomographic mammography system

Assignee: General Electric Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,330,529
App. No.
10/708,999
Granted
Feb 12, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mammography scanning system having a detector includes an arc-shaped support system having a number of X-ray emitters coupled thereto. The X-ray emitters generate a plurality of X-ray fluxes towards a common focus at varying angles with respect to the focus. Also, each of the X-ray emitters is collimated to view an entire detector field of view.

Claims (9)

1. A scanning system comprising:

a mount comprising a platform, wherein said mount further defines a holding area for supporting patient tissue;

a mount motor controller moving at least one of said mount or said platform vertically in response to adjustment signals,

a detector coupled to at least one of said mount or said platform and comprising a plurality of modules receiving a plurality of X-ray fluxes and generating detector signals therefrom;

at least three X-ray sources coupled to a support and arranged in an arc such that said at least three X-ray sources sequentially generate said plurality of X-ray signals for at least three different angles along said arc with respect to said detector; and

a computer generating said adjustment signals as a function of parameters of said patient tissue, said computer further generating an image signal as a function of said detector signals.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said mount is arranged for a scanning procedure comprising at least one of mammography, computed tomography (CT), vascular X-ray imaging, or bone scanning.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a liquid cooling system, a common conditioner for said sources and said detector, or multiple chillers for said sources and said detector.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of X-ray sources electronically gate said plurality of X-ray fluxes.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2004
From: KAUTZER, JEFFREY ALAN; UNGER, CHRISTOPHER DAVID
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 014480/0755 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050226371A1 · Oct 13, 2005