General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Henri Souchay

Sylvain Bernard

Razvan Iordache

Remy Klausz

Yana Popova

Serge Muller

Gero L Peters

Mathias Cisaruk

John Eric Tkaczyk

Kevin Matthew Durocher

Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard

Kenneth Scott Kump

Carlos Martinez Ferreira

Scott Stephen Zelakiewicz

Philip Alexander Shoemaker

Jeffrey Jon Shaw

Ajay Kapur

Abdulrahman Abdallah Al-Khalidy

Rémy Klausz

Guillaume Bacher

Guy Hersemeule

Mireille Haddad

Colin Auclair

Ibrahima Faye

Bruno Gilles Richou

Matti Petri Jouhikainen

Remy Andre Klausz

Benedicte Grosjean

A process for deploying an anti-scattering grid in a mammograph is provided. The mammograph comprises a radiation source configured to emit radiation for taking mammographic images of a patient, a radiation detector comprising a network of sensors arranged periodically with a first pitch, and an anti-scattering grid arranged between the source and the detector, the anti-scattering grid comprising radiation adsorbing strips arranged parallel to each other and distributed periodically with a second pitch. The process comprises: displacing the anti-scattering grid relative to the detector or displacing the detector relative to the anti-scattering grid during emission of radiation; adapting the second pitch to the first pitch, wherein displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the strips of the anti-scattering grid, the strips being arranged parallel to a side of the anti-scattering grid positioned against the patient, and altering the positions of the return points between successive periods of the displacement motion.

High-frequency anti-scatter grid movement profile for line cancellation

A method for image acquisition includes selectively concealing and exposing an x-ray source to a target object while the x-ray source travels along a first path and moving an x-ray detector along a second path in a first direction while the x-ray source is exposed to the target object. The method further includes moving the x-ray detector along the second path in a second direction generally opposite the first direction while the x-ray source is concealed from the target object.

Apparatus and method for tomosynthesis image acquisition

A method for image acquisition includes selectively concealing and exposing an x-ray source to a target object while the x-ray source travels along a first path, virtually moving an x-ray detector along a second path in a first direction while the x-ray source is exposed to the target object, and virtually moving the x-ray detector along the second path in a second direction generally opposite the first direction while the x-ray source is concealed from the target object.

System and method for tomosynthesis image acquisition

A method of continuous motion digital tomosynthesis includes exposing an object to a programed intensity x-ray beam as an x-ray source travels a pre-determined path, accumulating a signal charge from the x-ray beam, recording the accumulated signal charge into a digital frame image representing raw baseline data, acquiring information on the source's and the detector's position when the recording occurs, compressing the raw baseline data into compressed views, where each respective compressed view is formed by combining the raw data readouts of the respective compressed view, and reconstructing a volumetric breast image by processing each respective compressed view with a reconstruction process function that incorporates the acquired position information and a spatial sampling corresponding to the compressed views. A system configured to implement the method and a computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for continuous motion breast tomosynthesis

A method for obtaining tomosynthesis images of an object of interest using an imaging system, wherein the imaging system comprises an X-ray source arranged to facing a detector on which the object of interest is positioned. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of projected 2D images of the object of interest in a plurality of orientations identified relative to a perpendicular to the detector, wherein a zero orientation is closest to the perpendicular and applying at least one filter to the acquired projected 2D images to obtain filtered, projection images of the object of interest. The method further comprises determining a reconstruction slice of the object of interest from the backprojection of at least two of the filtered projections, the set of reconstruction slices being the filtered, reconstructed volume of the object of interest, wherein a filter used on the 2D projection images is an adaptive filter.

Method for obtaining tomosynthesis images

A method for imaging an organ with a medical imaging system comprising a radiation source, a detector facing the radiation source, an organ support and a compression paddle, wherein the compression paddle is smaller than the detector, the method comprising offsetting the compression paddle to a position towards a side edge of the detector, moving the radiation source along a trajectory, wherein the trajectory is above the compression paddle and dependent upon the position of the compression paddle, and acquiring images of the organ at several positions along the trajectory.

Method for imaging an organ and medical imaging system

A method for processing tomosynthesis images of an object of interest, using an imaging system, the imaging system comprising an X-ray source positioned facing a detector on which the object of interest is positioned. With the method of an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to display a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction slice, as well as a two-dimensional (2D) image of the object of interest.

Method for processing tomosynthesis acquisitions in order to obtain a representation of the contents of an organ

A process for deploying an anti-scattering grid in a mammograph is provided. The mammograph comprises a radiation source configured to emit radiation for taking mammographic images of a patient, a radiation detector comprising a network of sensors arranged periodically with a first pitch, and an anti-scattering grid arranged between the source and the detector, the anti-scattering grid comprising absorption laminates of radiations arranged parallel to each other and distributed periodically with a second pitch. The process comprises: displacing the anti-scattering grid relative to the detector or displacing the detector relative to the anti-scattering grid during emission of radiation; and adapting the second pitch to the first pitch, wherein displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the laminates of the anti-scattering grid, the laminates being arranged parallel to a side of the anti-scattering grid positioned against the patient.

Process and device for deploying an anti-scattering grid

A method for assisted positioning of an organ is provided. An acquisition system comprises a platform underneath which a detector is placed for the acquisition of radiographic medical images, during which a radiation source is moved over different successive positions with respect to the detector, wherein at least one medical image is acquired at each position of the radiation source. The method comprises illuminating the platform with a light source of the acquisition system to assist the positioning of the organ on the platform; and determining, with a drive unit of the acquisition system, a positioning limit on the platform based on the distance separating the platform and a compression paddle used to compress the organ and based on the position of the light source relative to the detector, wherein the positioning limit on the platform is a limit beyond which the organ must not lie.

Method for assisted positioning of an organ on a platform of a medical imaging system

Method to process a set of tomosynthesis slices, comprising; acquiring images of an object of interest using a detector of a machine also comprising an X-ray emitter; reconstructing a set of tomosynthesis slices of the object using a calculator, in relation to the acquired images; displaying slices on a display monitor with a first display increment; selecting a region of interest in a slice of interest; and using a second display increment that is finer than the first display increment to display on the display monitor regions of interest belonging to slices in the set, the regions of interest corresponding to the selected region of interest.

Method, system and computer program product to process a set of tomosynthesis slices

A method, system, and apparatus including an x-ray detector unit that includes an anti-scatter grid free of at least one of a top cover and a bottom cover, a flat panel x-ray detector having an x-ray conversion layer, and an integrated anti-scatter grid assembly configured to provide structural support to the anti-scatter grid and to provide mechanical protection to the flat panel x-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid is configured to absorb a plurality of scattered x-rays impinging on the anti-scatter grid while substantially allowing un-scattered x-rays to pass through the anti-scatter grid. The x-ray conversion layer is configured to convert an x-ray into visible light or an electronic signal. The flat panel x-ray detector is fixed relative to the anti-scatter grid such that the anti-scatter grid remains stationary relative to the flat panel x-ray detector during operation of the x-ray detector.

Apparatus for reducing scattered X-ray detection and method of same

In a method for the processing of radiology images for detection of radiological signs, an algorithm is provided to detect such radiological signs on projections as a function of their contrasts. These contrasts are measured by using the responses of linear differential filters with different scale parameters. The method can be used to color or enhance the intensity of the radiological signs detected as a function of their degree of malignancy. The algorithm may be applied directly to the signal given by the detector.

Method for the processing of radiological images for a detection of radiological signs

In an image-processing method for the detection of radiological signs in series of 3D data, an algorithm is used to detect radiological signs in a digital volume according to their contrasts. This algorithm is applied to reconstructed slices or directly to the series of projections. This algorithm is made by means of linear differential filters for signal analysis. It is used to color or enhance the intensity of the detected radiological signals according to the degree of malignancy.

Method for the processing of radiological images in tomosynthesis for a detection of radiological signs

In a method for the obtaining a tomosynthesis image for a more selective detection of radiology signs, a dose distribution strategy is proposed. The strategy is defined as a function of a substantially uniform depth-of-focus for a variety of sizes and classes of radiology signs. This strategy is coupled with a digital filtering aimed at ensuring optimum propagation of the signal-to-noise ratio beyond the frequency spectrum. This digital filtering is done by means of a class of adaptive filters required to control the propagation of the noise during the reconstruction. The filter to be applied to each projection of the X-ray tube () depends on the dose assigned to this projection.

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Versailles, France

Henri Souchay