Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus 10 comprising a support structure 100, the support structure supporting two separate x-ray emitting apparatus, a first x-ray emitting apparatus 130 comprising an x-ray emitter arranged for producing 2D tomosynthesis images, and a second x-ray emitting apparatus 140 comprising an array of distributed x-ray emitters arranged for producing 3D tomosynthesis images, the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus moveable relative to the support structure and arranged such that, in use, one of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is moveable into an operative position whereby x-rays are emitted therefrom towards a target 200, and simultaneously the other of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is movable into an inoperative position whereby x-rays are not emitted therefrom.

Abstract: To produce 3D x-ray images, it is necessary to compensate for patient movement during the emission and detection of x-rays; this may be achieved by providing an x-ray sensor 20 comprising a digital x-ray detector 40, and an inertial sensor 50, 60 for providing positional information relating to changes in the relative position of the x-ray sensor during detection of x-rays.

Abstract: Image quality for flat-panel array tomosynthesis acquisition is not equivalent to CT because of the reduced number of image angles that are acquired in DT, and also image quality is not uniform throughout the volume and decreases near to the fixed detector array and the fixed flat-panel source. The present invention provides a system for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject 1 in which an emitter panel 3 and detector 7 are movable on a smart armature 9. In this way, image quality can be improved, for example by combining acquisitions taken from different orientations, thereby approaching the quality of conventional CT imaging, whilst still maintaining the lower cost and dose of conventional DT imaging.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus 10 comprising a support structure 100, the support structure supporting two separate x-ray emitting apparatus, a first x-ray emitting apparatus 130 comprising an x-ray emitter arranged for producing 2D tomosynthesis images, and a second x-ray emitting apparatus 140 comprising an array of distributed x-ray emitters arranged for producing 3D tomosynthesis images, the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus moveable relative to the support structure and arranged such that, in use, one of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is moveable into an operative position whereby x-rays are emitted therefrom towards a target 200, and simultaneously the other of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is movable into an inoperative position whereby x-rays are not emitted therefrom.

Abstract: In a medical image processing and retrieval system or method, an image processing system is configured to obtain a set of medical image data and to process the medical image data using at least one interpretation tool. A database is configured to store interpretation information generated in processing the medical image data using the interpretation tool. A viewing server is configured in response to a user interface instruction to retrieve from the database the interpretation information generated in processing the medical image data and to identity the at least one interpretation tool to the user interface.

Abstract: In a medical image processing and retrieval system or method, an image processing system is configured to obtain a set of medical image data and to process the medical image data using at least one interpretation tool. A database is configured to store interpretation information generated in processing the medical image data using the interpretation tool. A viewing server is configured in response to a user interface instruction to retrieve from the database the interpretation information generated in processing the medical image data and to identity the at least one interpretation tool to the user interface.