Tomosynthesis X-ray mammogram system and method with automatic drive system

A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source operable to move in an arc shaped path and connected to a first portion of a first arm;
• an arc shaped track on which the X-ray source is mounted to allow the X-ray source to move in the arc shaped path;
• a stationary electronic X-ray detector positioned opposite to the X-ray source;
• and
• mechanical driving mechanism operable to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is connected to the mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to rotate the second portion of the first arm to move the X-ray source along the arc shaped track.

A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source mounted onto an upper portion of a first arm;
• a second arm having a first side and a second side,
• a stationary electronic X-ray detector mounted facing the X-ray source to the first side of the second arm such that an imaging volume is formed above the electronic X-ray detector;
• a shaft rotatably connecting a middle portion of the first arm to a middle portion of the second side of the second arm;
• a linear motion track operable to move relative to the second arm;
• and
• a mechanical driving mechanism operable to move a lower portion of the first arm along the linear motion track such that the X-ray source moves in an arc shaped path.

A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:

• a first means for irradiating a patient's breast with an X-ray dose at plurality of steps along an arc shaped path;
• a second means for mechanically moving the first means in a stepped motion on the arc shaped path around the patient's breast including an arm displaced in rotation by a drive motor using a track;
• a third means for detecting the X-rays transmitted through the patient's breast;
• and
• a fourth means for constructing a three dimensional image of the patient's breast from a signal output by the third means.

A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:

• mechanically moving an X-ray source by a first arm rotated by motor in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track;
• irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
• detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
• and
• constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.

An imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
• a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
• an arc shaped track, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the arc shaped track;
• and
• a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the arc shaped track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path.

An imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
• a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
• a linear motion track, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the linear motion track;
• and
• a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a ball screw configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the linear motion track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path.

A tomosynthesis X-ray mammography imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source mounted to a first portion of a first arm and operable to move in an arc shaped path;
• an arc shaped track provided to allow the X-ray source to move in the arc shaped path, wherein a second portion of the first arm distal from the first portion is mounted to the arc shaped track;
• a stationary electronic X-ray detector positioned opposite to the X-ray source;
• and
• a mechanical driving mechanism comprising a motor configured to move the second portion of the first arm along the arc shaped track to move the X-ray source in the arc shaped path.

A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:

• mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track by moving a first portion of a first arm on arc shaped track while a second portion of the first arm supports the X-ray source;
• irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
• detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with a stationary electronic X-ray detector;
• and
• constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.

A tomosynthesis X-ray imaging method, comprising:

• mechanically moving an X-ray source in a stepped motion on an arc shaped path around an object using a track by moving a first arm supporting the X-ray source on a linear motion track while allowing relative motion between the track and second arm supporting an electronic X-ray detector;
• irradiating the object with an X-ray dose from the X-ray source located at a plurality of steps along the arc shaped path;
• detecting the X-rays transmitted through the object with the electronic X-ray detector;
• and
• constructing a three dimensional image of the object from a signal output by the electronic X-ray detector.