Fast tomosynthesis scanner apparatus and CT-based method based on rotational step-and-shoot image acquistion without focal spot motion during continuous tube movement for use in cone-beam volume CT mammography imaging
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorTiemen Poorter
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Abstract
The present invention generally refers to computed tomography (CT) based imaging systems and, more particularly, to a fast 3D tomosynthesis scanner apparatus and CT-based method without focal spot motion during continuous tube movement around an object of interest (O) or tissue region (M) to be examined (herein also referred to as “object”), which may advantageously be used in cone-beam volume CT mammography imaging so as to avoid motion artifacts and blurring effects.
Claims15
A 3D tomosynthesis scanner apparatus comprising a rotary X-ray tube and a stationary X-ray detector diametrically oppositely arranged to the X-ray tube, said 3D tomosynthesis scanner apparatus being adapted for performing a rotational step-and-shoot image acquisition procedure for acquiring a set of 2D projection images during a continuous rotational movement of an X-ray tube in an azimuthal direction (+φ) along an arc segment of a circular trajectory when rotating around an object of interest (O) or a tissue region (M) to be examined and subjecting these 2D projection images to a 3D reconstruction procedure, wherein, during the image acquisition time for each 2D projection image, the electron beam focal spot on the rotary X-ray tube's anode is moved in an opposite direction (−φ) along the same arc segment from a start position (bs) to an end position (be) with respect to the rotary X-ray tube's housing such that the azimuthal path distance (Δb) covered by the X-ray tube due to the continuous rotational tube movement during this time is compensated.
A method for operating a 3D tomosynthesis scanner apparatus comprising a rotary
- X-ray tube and a stationary X-ray detector diametrically oppositely arranged to the X-ray tube, said method comprising the steps of
- performing a rotational step-and-shoot image acquisition procedure (S2) for acquiring a set of 2D projection images during a continuous rotational movement of the rotary X-ray tube in an azimuthal direction (+φ) along an arc segment of a circular trajectory when rotating around an object of interest (O) or a tissue region (M) to be examined and
- subjecting these 2D projection images to a 3D reconstruction procedure (S3), wherein, during the image acquisition time for each 2D projection image, the electron beam focal spot on the X-ray tube's anode is moved in an opposite direction (−φ) along the same arc segment from a start position (bs) to an end position (be) with respect to the rotary X-ray tube's housing such that the azimuthal path distance (Δb) covered by the rotary X-ray tube due to the continuous rotational tube movement during this time is compensated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.