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US 12,714,383 B2Granted
Multi-modality imaging of a specimen
AssigneeHologic, Inc.
InventorsBaorui Ren, Jay A. Stein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for multi-modality (MMI) imaging of a specimen (136) are disclosed. A specimen may be imaged with a first modality at a first plurality of imaging angles and imaged with a second modality at a second plurality of imaging angles. The first modality may be associated with a different x-ray dose than the second modality. Additionally, one or more angles of the first plurality of imaging angles may be different from the second plurality of imaging angles. Image data obtained from imaging with each modality is used to compile reconstructed images of the specimen. A portion of the reconstructed images that includes a micro-calcification may be reconstructed based on image data from the modality associated with a higher dose.
Claims19
A method for imaging a specimen, the method comprising:
- receiving a specimen on a rotatable support surface disposed within an imaging cabinet, wherein the support surface is configured to rotate about an axis;
- rotating the specimen about the axis through a first plurality of imaging angles;
- while rotating the specimen through the first plurality of imaging angles, imaging the specimen with a first imaging modality using an x-ray imaging source within the imaging cabinet, wherein the x-ray imaging source is disposed a fixed distance from the axis, and wherein the first imaging modality is associated with a low x-ray dose;
- acquiring a first plurality of images of the specimen with the first imaging modality;
- rotating the specimen through a second plurality of imaging angles;
- while rotating the specimen through the second plurality of imaging angles, imaging the specimen with a second imaging modality using the x-ray imaging source, wherein the second imaging modality is associated with a high x-ray dose;
- acquiring a second plurality of images of the specimen with the second imaging modality, wherein the second imaging modality is different than the first imaging modality, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of imaging angles are encompassed within the second plurality of imaging angles;
- and
- generating a set of reconstructed images of the specimen, wherein the set of reconstructed images is based on both the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images.
6 more elements
A method for imaging a specimen, the method comprising:
- imaging a breast of a patient with a first imaging modality, the breast including an area of interest;
- acquiring a first plurality of images of the breast with the first imaging modality;
- excising a specimen from the breast, wherein the specimen includes at least a portion of the area of interest;
- placing the specimen within an interior chamber of an imaging cabinet having an x-ray source;
- imaging the specimen via the x-ray source with a second imaging modality associated with a low x-ray dose;
- acquiring a second plurality of images of the specimen with the second imaging modality, wherein the second plurality of images are acquired around a second plurality of imaging angles;
- imaging the specimen via the x-ray source with a third imaging modality associated with a high x-ray dose;
- acquiring a third plurality of images of the specimen with the third imaging modality, wherein the third plurality of images are acquired around a third plurality of imaging angles, at least some of the second plurality of imaging angles are encompassed within the third plurality of imaging angles, and wherein the third imaging modality is different than the second imaging modality;
- and
- generating a displayed set of reconstructed images of the specimen, wherein the displayed set of reconstructed images is based on both the second plurality of images and the third plurality of images.
7 more elements
An apparatus for imaging a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining an interior chamber;
- a pedestal disposed within the interior chamber of the housing, wherein the pedestal is configured to support a specimen and rotate about an axis;
- an x-ray imaging source disposed within the housing, the x-ray imaging source configured to project a beam inside the interior chamber;
- a processor;
- memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform a set of operations comprising:
- rotating the pedestal about the axis through a first plurality of imaging angles;
- while rotating the pedestal through the first plurality of imaging angles, imaging with a first imaging modality using the x-ray imaging source, wherein the x-ray imaging source is disposed a fixed distance from the axis, and wherein the first imaging modality is associated with a low x-ray dose;
- acquiring a first plurality of images with the first imaging modality;
- rotating the pedestal about the axis through a second plurality of imaging angles, while rotating the pedestal through the second plurality of imaging angles, imaging with a second imaging modality using the x-ray imaging source, wherein the second imaging modality is associated with a high x-ray dose;
- acquiring a second plurality of images with the second imaging modality, wherein the second imaging modality is different than the first imaging modality, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of imaging angles are encompassed within the second plurality of imaging angles;
- and
- generating a set of reconstructed images based on both the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.