# US 11,992,357 B2 · Transport system with curved tracks for multiple pulsed X-ray source-in-motion tomosynthesis imaging

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- Number: US 11,992,357 B2
- Document ID: US11992357B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/709,799
- Filed: 2022-03-31
- Published: 2022-10-06
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2021-04-02
- Assignees: AIXScan Inc.
- Applicants: Jianqiang Liu; Manat Maolinbay; Chwen-yuan Ku; Linbo Yang
- Inventors: Jianqiang Liu; Manat Maolinbay; Chwen-yuan Ku; Linbo Yang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992357B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/541: {involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal}
- A61B 6/025: {Tomosynthesis}
- A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]}
- A61B 6/035: {Mechanical aspects of CT}
- A61B 6/0407: {Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body}
- A61B 6/06: Diaphragms
- A61B 6/08: Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
- A61B 6/4007: {characterised by using a plurality of source units}
- A61B 6/4014: {arranged in multiple source-detector units}
- A61B 6/4021: {involving movement of the focal spot}
- A61B 6/4028: {resulting in acquisition of views from substantially different positions, e.g. EBCT}
- A61B 6/405: {Source units specially adapted to modify characteristics of the beam during the data acquisition process (A61B6/4021, A61B6/4035 take precedence)}
- A61B 6/4085: {Cone-beams}
- A61B 6/4208: {characterised by using a particular type of detector}
- A61B 6/4233: {using matrix detectors}
- A61B 6/4283: {characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette}
- A61B 6/4405: {the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley}
- A61B 6/4429: {related to the mounting of source units and detector units}
- A61B 6/4435: {the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure}
- A61B 6/4441: {the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm}
- A61B 6/4452: {the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other}
- A61B 6/4476: {related to motor-assisted motion of the source unit}
- A61B 6/4482: {involving power assist circuits}
- A61B 6/467: {characterised by special input means}
- A61B 6/482: {involving multiple energy imaging}
- A61B 6/486: {involving generating temporal series of image data}
- A61B 6/503: {for diagnosis of the heart}
- A61B 6/5205: {involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data}
- A61B 6/5217: {extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data}
- A61B 6/5288: {involving retrospective matching to a physiological signal}
- A61B 6/54: {Control of apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis}
- A61B 6/542: {involving control of exposure}
- A61B 6/56: {Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings}
- A61B 6/583: {using calibration phantoms}
- G01N 23/044: using laminography or tomosynthesis
- G01N 23/083: the radiation being X-rays
- G01N 23/18: Investigating the presence of flaws defects or foreign matter
- G06T 7/0012: {Biomedical image inspection}
- G06T 7/0016: {involving temporal comparison}
- G06T 7/11: Region-based segmentation
- G06T 12/00: Tomographic reconstruction from projections
- G06T 12/10: Image preprocessing, e.g. calibration, positioning of sources or scatter correction
- G06T 12/20: Inverse problem, i.e. transformations from projection space into object space
- G06T 17/00: Three-dimensional [3D] modelling for computer graphics
- G06V 10/12: Details of acquisition arrangements; Constructional details thereof
- G06V 10/25: Determination of region of interest [ROI] or a volume of interest [VOI]
- G06V 10/62: relating to a temporal dimension, e.g. time-based feature extraction; Pattern tracking
- G16H 10/60: for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
- G16H 30/20: for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
- G16H 30/40: for processing medical images, e.g. editing
- G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
- A61B 6/027: {characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral}
- A61B 6/4275: {using a detector unit almost surrounding the patient, e.g. more than 180°}
- A61B 6/502: {for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography}
- G01N 2223/401: image processing
- G06T 2200/24: involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
- G06T 2207/10076: 4D tomography; Time-sequential 3D tomography
- G06T 2207/10081: Computed x-ray tomography [CT]
- G06T 2207/20081: Training; Learning
- G06T 2207/20084: Artificial neural networks [ANN]
- G06T 2207/30064: Lung nodule
- G06T 2207/30096: Tumor; Lesion
- G06T 2207/30168: Image quality inspection
- G06T 2210/41: Medical
- G06T 2211/412: Dynamic
- G06T 2211/436: Limited angle
- G06T 2211/441: AI-based methods, deep learning or artificial neural networks
- G06V 2201/03: Recognition of patterns in medical or anatomical images
- G06V 2201/032: of protuberances, polyps nodules, etc.
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

A transport system with curved track pair is constructed for multiple pulsed X-ray source-in-motion to perform fast digital tomosynthesis imaging. It includes a curved rigid track pair with predetermined curvature, a primary motor stage car loaded with X-ray sources and wheels loaded with tension or compression springs. The car is driven by primary motor mounted at base frame and an engaged gear mounted at the car. The car can carry heavy loads, travel with high precision and high repeatability at all installation orientations while motion vibration is minimal. It is also scalable to have a larger radius. Track angle span usually can be from about ten degrees to about 170 degrees. During imaging acquisition, X-ray sources can sweep precisely from one location to another. The car has enough clearance to move in its path without rubbing wheels on tracks. Better than 0.2 mm overall spatial precision can be achieved with the digital tomosynthesis imaging.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A transport system for an X-ray source, comprising:
a support frame structure to support moving and non-moving mechanical loads;
a curved concentric track pair with a pre-determined curvature and sweeping angle spanning from 10 degrees to 170 degrees for multiple pulsed X-ray source-in-motion tomosynthesis imaging;
a curved primary motor stage car loaded with a plurality of X-ray sources mounted on the curved primary motor stage to concentrically aim at an object and actuated by a primary motor coupled to the support frame structure; and
a plurality of spring-compressed wheels that roll freely along the curved track pair.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the curved track pair is either single-sided or double-sided.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein trajectory of curved track comprises a curve shape on-demand.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the curved track pair is planar.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the plane of a first curved track of the curved track pair is parallel to the plane of a second curved track.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each X-ray source comprises a head and one or more feet mounted with wheel pairs.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a motion of the car is planar to a track base structure and insensitive to a location of a center of mass of an X-ray source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of track enforcement pieces that prevent warpage of the inner and outer track of the track frame.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the primary motor stage car comprises a curved single concentric metal piece.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises either a compression spring or a rotational spring.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising:
a plurality of X-ray sources each mounted at the primary motor stage;
a supporting frame structure that provides housing for the primary motor stage; and
an X-ray flat panel detector to receive X-ray and transmit X-ray imaging data.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising a double sided track where wheels are coupled to both sides of the double sided track to carry a predetermined load with a vertical or horizontal configuration.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the X-ray sources is activated using a predetermined scheme.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein an initial spatial position of the primary motor stage is adjustable by software.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a result of each and accumulated analysis determines the next X-ray source and exposure condition.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein exposure time of X-ray source is adjustable by software.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the object stands up.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each X-ray source moves a distance around a static position on X-ray tube target by deflection electrical field or deflection magnetic field.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each X-ray source has a speed that equals to a group X-ray source speed but an opposite moving direction, the individual X-ray source is triggered through an external exposure control unit, and wherein the X-ray source stays relatively standstill during an X-ray pulse trigger exposure duration.