MOBILE TOMOSYNTHESIS SYSTEM AND METHOD
An x-ray source assembly is configured to move an x-ray source along an imaging trajectory while a counterweight is configured to move simultaneously with the x-ray source assembly to counterbalance the x-ray source assembly.
1 . An x-ray source assembly comprising:
an x-ray source mechanism configured to move an x-ray source along an imaging trajectory, wherein the x-ray source is configured to be fired multiple times during movement along the imaging trajectory; and
a counterweight configured to move simultaneously with the x-ray source to counterbalance the x-ray source as the x-ray source moves along the imaging trajectory.
2 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the imaging trajectory is selected from trajectories consisting of a circular arc, linear, and arcuate.
3 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the x-ray source mechanism comprises a plurality of x-ray sources each configured to move along at least a portion of the imaging trajectory, wherein the x-ray sources are each configured to counterbalance remaining ones of the x-ray sources as the x-ray sources move along said at least a portion of an imaging trajectory.
4 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein a spatial location of a center of mass of the x-ray source assembly remains substantially unchanged as the x-ray source and counterweight move.
5 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the counterweight comprises at least two masses spaced apart.
6 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the counterweight traverses a path having the same shape as the imaging trajectory.
7 . A method of capturing tomographic images, the method comprising:
moving an x-ray source assembly along an imaging trajectory in a first direction;
firing an x-ray source in the x-ray source assembly multiple times during the step of moving the x-ray source to capture radiographic images of an object and
moving a counterweight simultaneously with the step of moving the x-ray source to counterbalance a weight of the x-ray source.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the counterweight comprises moving the counterweight in a second direction opposite the first direction.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the counterweight comprises moving the counterweight in the first direction.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the x-ray source assembly along the imaging trajectory comprises moving the x-ray source assembly along an angular imaging trajectory, and wherein the step of moving the counterweight comprises moving the counterweight in the first direction.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the x-ray source assembly along the imaging trajectory comprises moving a plurality of x-ray sources in a circular imaging trajectory.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising maintaining a center of mass of the x-ray source assembly and the counterweight spatially stationary during the steps of moving the x-ray source assembly and moving the counterweight.
13 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising moving the counterweight along a path parallel to the imaging trajectory.
14 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of moving the counterweight comprises moving two separate counterweight masses simultaneously.
15 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising rotating the x-ray source assembly simultaneously with the step of moving the x-ray source assembly along the imaging trajectory.
16 . A tomosynthesis imaging system comprising:
a movable base;
a support arm attached to the movable base; and
an x-ray source assembly attached to the support arm, wherein the x-ray source assembly is configured to move along an imaging trajectory; and
a counterweight configured to move in concert with the x-ray source assembly to counterbalance the x-ray source assembly as the x-ray source assembly moves along the imaging trajectory.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the support arm comprises a first end attached to the movable base and a second end attached to the x-ray source assembly.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the imaging trajectory is selected from the trajectories consisting of a circular arc, linear, and arcuate.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the x-ray source structure comprises a plurality of x-ray sources each configured to move along at least a portion of the imaging trajectory, wherein the x-ray sources are each configured to counterbalance remaining ones of the x-ray sources as the x-ray sources move along said at least a portion of an imaging trajectory.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein a spatial location of a center of mass of the x-ray source structure remains substantially unchanged as the x-ray source and the counterweights moves along their respective trajectories.