Multi-modality image acquisition
AssigneeAnalogic Corporation
InventorDaniel Abenaim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The techniques described herein provide a means for generating an x-ray image and ultrasound image depicting parallel planes of an object under examination and may be used in conjunctions with x-ray or ultrasound techniques known to those in the field (e.g., x-ray tomosynthesis, computed tomography ultrasound imaging, etc.). In one example, one or more x-ray images are spatially coincident to one or more ultrasound images and the images may be combined through spatial registration. It finds particular application to mammography examinations but may be used in other fields that use information from multiple modalities.
Claims6
A system, comprising:
- an x-ray source configured to emit x-rays into an examination region within which an object under examination is examined;
- a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the x-rays;
- an ultrasound component configured to emit ultrasound waves into the examination region in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which x-rays are emitted, the ultrasound component operatively coupled to a compression paddle, a surface of the compression paddle which contacts the object laying in a plane extending in an x-direction and a y-direction and the ultrasound component configured for movement within the compression paddle in the x-direction and the y-direction, such that a distance between a trajectory of a center x-ray beam and the ultrasound component is adjustable and such that, at a first time, the ultrasound component contacts the object and, at a second time, the ultrasound component does not contact the object;
- and
- an ultrasound image apparatus configured to generate an ultrasound image of at least a portion of the object based upon a degree of attenuation experienced by at least some of the ultrasound waves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.