Full field digital tomosynthesis method and apparatus

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• a first means for irradiating the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions along a path in a sector;
• a second means for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object;
• and
• a third means for generating a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the second means;
• wherein:
• the first means is a means for irradiating the object with the beam of X-rays such that a focal spot of the beam of X-rays follows a non arc shaped path relative to the object;
• and
• the first means is a means for irradiating the object with the beam of X-rays such that a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the second means from different first means positions in the sector.

A tomosynthesis method of forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• (a) acquiring a set of tomosynthesis projections, comprising:
• moving an X-ray source along a path through a sector;
• irradiating the object with a beam of X-rays from the X-ray source at a plurality of positions in the sector;
• and
• detecting X-rays transmitted through the object with a detector;
• and
• (b) generating a three dimensional image of the object based on the detected X-rays;
• wherein:
• the X-ray source irradiates the object with the beam of X-rays such that the focal spot of the beam of X-rays follows a non arc shaped and non linear path;
• or
• a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• an X-ray source configured to periodically irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays, wherein the X-ray source is configured to emit the beam of X-rays while rotating and moving in a first direction along a path in a sector;
• an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object, wherein the detector is configured to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the X-ray source moves in the first direction and the X-ray source emits the beam of X-rays;
• and
• a processor which is configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector;
• wherein:
• the X-ray source is configured to rotate in an arc shaped path and to periodically emit the beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions along the arc shaped path;
• and
• the X-ray source is configured to rotate at a first speed while the X-ray source emits the beam of X-rays and to rotate at a second speed higher than the first speed while the X-ray source does not emit the beam of X-rays.

A tomosynthesis method of forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• rotating an X-ray source in a first direction in a path through a sector;
• emitting a beam of X-rays from the X-ray source while the X-ray source is rotating and moving along the path in the first direction;
• periodically irradiating the object with the X-ray beam;
• moving a detector in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the X-ray source emits the X-ray beam and the X-ray source moves in the first direction;
• detecting X-rays transmitted through the object with the detector;
• and
• generating a three dimensional image of the object based on the detected X-rays.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• at least two X-ray sources configured to irradiate the object with beams of X-rays from a plurality of rotationally displaced positions along a path in a sector;
• an X-ray detector positioned relative to the at least two X-ray sources and movable linearly to detect X-rays transmitted through the object;
• and
• a processor which is configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector;
• wherein the at least two X-ray sources are configured to rotate in an arc shaped path in respective at least two parallel planes and a first X-ray source is offset from a second X-ray source in a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• an X-ray source configured to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions along a path in a sector;
• an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object;
• and
• a processor which is configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector;
• wherein the X-ray source is configured to rotate along the path in the sector in a first angular direction relative to the object, such that the focal spot of the X-ray beam moves in the first angular direction;
• and
• the detector is configured to rotate in the direction different from the first angular direction.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• an X-ray source configured to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions along a path in a sector;
• an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object;
• and
• a processor which is configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector;
• wherein the X-ray source is configured to rotate in an arc shaped path in a first angular direction relative to the object;
• and
• the detector is configured to move in an arc shaped path in a second angular direction opposite to the first direction.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• an X-ray source configured to periodically irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays, wherein the X-ray source is configured to emit the beam of X-rays while moving in a first direction along a path in a sector;
• an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object, wherein the detector is configured to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the X-ray source moves in the first direction and the X-ray source emits the beam of X-rays;
• and
• a processor which is configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector, wherein:
• the X-ray source is configured to rotate in an arc shaped path and to periodically emit the beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions along the arc shaped path;
• and
• the X-ray source is configured to rotate at a first speed while the X-ray source emits the beam of X-rays and to rotate at a second speed higher than the first speed while the X-ray source does not emit the beam of X-rays.

A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object, comprising:

• rotating an X-ray source in a first direction in a path through a sector;
• emitting a beam of X-rays from the X-ray source while the X-ray source is moving along the path in the first direction;
• periodically irradiating the object with the X-ray beam;
• moving a detector in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the X-ray source emits the X-ray beam and the X-ray source moves in the first direction;
• detecting X-rays transmitted through the object with the detector;
• and
• generating a three dimensional image of the object based on the detected X-rays, while rotating an X-ray source in a first direction along the path through a sector comprises rotating the X-ray source in an arc shaped path at a first speed while the X-ray source emits the beam of X-rays and at a second speed higher than the first speed while the X-ray source does not emit the beam of X-rays.