# US 12,004,890 B2 · Intraoral tomosynthesis X-ray imaging device, system, and method with interchangeable collimator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,890 B2 - Document ID: US12004890B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/288,556 - Filed: 2018-10-26 - Published: 2022-04-14 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-26 - Assignees: Surround Medical Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Xin Vivo, Inc. - Inventors: Captain Capo; Andrew Tucker; Julianna Burney; Otto Z. Zhou; Jianping Lu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004890B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/512: {Intraoral means} - A61B 6/022: {Stereoscopic imaging} - A61B 6/025: {Tomosynthesis} - A61B 6/06: Diaphragms - A61B 6/4007: {characterised by using a plurality of source units} - A61B 6/425: {using detectors specially adapted to be used in the interior of the body} - A61B 6/461: {Displaying means of special interest} - A61B 6/469: {for selecting a region of interest [ROI]} - A61B 6/56: {Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device, system, and method with an interchangeable collimator. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source array including one or more spatially distributed focal spots and a detachable collimation assembly to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device further includes a digital intraoral x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single two-dimensional radiograph. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An x-ray intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system comprising: an x-ray source array comprising one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots configured to produce a scanning x-ray beam; a voltage power supply and a current source; a switching circuit configured to connect the current source to a plurality of cathodes of the x-ray source array, one at a time, to produce a scanning x-ray beam; a collimation assembly configured to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields; a digital intraoral x-ray detector; an input panel configured to allow a user to select one or more of x-ray energy, tube current, exposure time, and imaging mode; and an image viewer configured to display a stack of reconstructed tomosynthesis slice images, wherein the x-ray source array is configured to selectively produce either: (a) a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis; or (b) a single two dimensional (2D) radiograph; and wherein the collimation assembly is configured to substantially collimate x-ray radiation from all x-ray focal spots to the digital intraoral x-ray detector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly comprises: a primary collimator positioned close to an exit window of the x-ray source array wherein the primary collimator comprises an array of one or more apertures, each of the one or more apertures being aligned with one corresponding x-ray focal spot of the x-ray source array, and configured to allow x-ray radiation from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot to pass through; a secondary collimator positioned in line with respect to the primary collimator, wherein the secondary collimator has one aperture configured to further confine x-ray radiation passing through the primary collimator; and a cone structure that encloses the primary collimator and the secondary collimator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the primary collimator is fixed to the x-ray source array; and wherein the secondary collimator is attached to a distal end of the cone structure and can be removed and exchanged by an operator of the device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the apertures of the array of one or more apertures of the primary collimator is larger than a remainder of the array of one or more apertures; wherein x-ray radiation generated from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot is used for a 2D radiograph; and wherein the secondary collimator is large and circular. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators comprises a first detachable or interchangeable collimator with a tight rectangular aperture or a second detachable or interchangeable collimator with a large circular aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators have different lengths and are configured to allow intraoral imaging at different source-to-detector distances. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly comprises a tight rectangular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots to a surface of the digital intraoral x-ray detector thereby reducing radiation dose. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly comprises a circular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots into a radiation field that is substantially larger than a size of the digital intraoral x-ray detector such that the digital intraoral x-ray detector can be readily aligned within the radiation field without an alignment apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein radiation from any one of the one or more x-ray focal spots of the x-ray source array is sufficient for a 2D radiography. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more collimators that are molded, extruded, or three dimensionally (3D) printed using materials that do not contain lead. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the collimation assembly is detachable and reattachable to the device thereby allowing imaging at different modes; and wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more attachments, including a tomosynthesis collimator configured for intraoral tomosynthesis imaging using all of the one or more x-ray focal spots, a radiograph collimator configured for 2D radiographic imaging using a pre-selected x-ray focal spot, or a combination collimation assembly configured for imaging in both 2D and tomosynthesis modes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging mode includes a 2D imaging mode, three dimensional (3D) imaging mode, or a combination of the 2D imaging mode and the 3D imaging mode. ### Claim 14 An x-ray intraoral tomosynthesis imaging device comprising: an x-ray source array comprising one or more spatially distributed focal spots configured to produce a scanning x-ray beam; a collimation assembly configured to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields; and a digital intraoral x-ray detector; wherein the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam, illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single 2D radiograph; wherein the collimation assembly is configured to substantially collimate x-ray radiation from all focal spots to the digital intraoral x-ray detector; and wherein the collimation assembly comprises a circular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots into a radiation field that is substantially larger than a size of the digital intraoral x-ray detector such that the digital intraoral x-ray detector can be readily aligned within the radiation field without an alignment apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the collimation assembly comprises: a primary collimator positioned close to an exit window of the x-ray source array wherein the primary collimator comprises an array of one or more apertures, each of the one or more apertures being aligned with one corresponding x-ray focal spot of the x-ray source array, and configured to allow x-ray radiation from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot to pass through; a secondary collimator positioned in line with respect to the primary collimator, wherein the secondary collimator has one aperture configured to further confine x-ray radiation passing through the primary collimator; and a cone structure that encloses the primary collimator and the secondary collimator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the primary collimator is fixed to the x-ray source array; and wherein the secondary collimator is attached to a distal end of the cone structure and can be removed and exchanged by an operator of the device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the apertures of the array of one or more apertures of the primary collimator is larger than a remainder of the array of one or more apertures; wherein x-ray radiation generated from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot is used for a 2D radiograph; and wherein the secondary collimator is large and circular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators comprises a first detachable or interchangeable collimator with a tight rectangular aperture or a second detachable or interchangeable collimator with a large circular aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators have different lengths and are configured to allow intraoral imaging at different source-to-detector distances. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the collimation assembly comprises a tight rectangular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots to a surface of the digital intraoral x-ray detector thereby reducing a patient's radiation dose. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein radiation from any one of the one or more x-ray focal spots of the x-ray source array is sufficient for a 2D radiography. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more collimators that are molded, extruded, or 3-D printed using materials that do not contain lead. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the collimation assembly is detachable and reattachable to the device thereby allowing imaging at different modes; and wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more attachments, including a tomosynthesis collimator configured for intraoral tomosynthesis imaging using all of the one or more x-ray focal spots, a radiograph collimator configured for 2D radiographic imaging using a pre-selected x-ray focal spot, or a combination collimation assembly configured for imaging in both 2D and tomosynthesis modes.