X-ray scatter reducing device for use with 2d mammography and tomosynthesis

A multi-modal imaging system comprising:

• an immobilization structure configured to immobilize a breast of a patient, the immobilization structure including a support platform;
• an x-ray source operable in at least a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode, the first imaging mode different than the second imaging mode;
• an x-ray detector disposed on a side of the support platform that is opposite of the x-ray source;
• an anti-scatter grid disposed between the x-ray detector and the support platform;
• and
• an actuator operationally coupled to the anti-scatter grid,
• wherein in the first imaging mode, the x-ray source is configured to emit at least one first x-ray exposure while the anti-scatter grid is disposed between the x-ray detector and the support platform, and moves relative to the x-ray detector, and
• wherein in the second imaging mode, the x-ray source is configured to emit at least one second x-ray exposure while the anti-scatter grid is retracted from between the x-ray detector and the support platform, and wherein the actuator both moves the anti-scatter grid in the first imaging mode and retracts the anti-scatter grid in the second imaging mode.

A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a multi-modal imaging system, the method comprising:

• immobilizing the breast with an immobilization structure such that an x-ray detector is disposed on a side of a breast support platform opposite the breast;
• disposing an anti-scatter grid between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform;
• imaging the breast in a first imaging mode with an x-ray source while the anti-scatter grid moves relative to the x-ray detector;
• retracting the anti-scatter grid from between the x-ray detector and the breast support platform;
• and
• imaging the breast in a second imaging mode with the x-ray source, wherein an actuator both moves the anti-scatter grid in the first imaging mode and retracts the anti-scatter grid in the second imaging mode.