Abstract: An x-ray system for at least one of breast examinations and procedures includes a base component, a table configured to support a patient in a prone position and disposed proximate to the base component with a space reserved therebetween, a rotatable x-ray assembly disposed between the base component and the table, and a linear motor assembly operatively connected to the rotatable x-ray assembly and the base component so as to effect rotation of the rotatable x-ray assembly relative to the base component during operation. The rotatable x-ray assembly rotates at least partially around an active spatial region, and the table defines an opening that is positioned for a breast to extend downwards therethrough at least partially into said active spatial region.

Abstract: A system for breast computed tomography includes a table supporting a patient in a prone position with an opening positioned for a breast of the patient to extend downwards therethrough, a gantry assembly positioned beneath the table with a platform driven to rotate by a motor, an x-ray source assembly coupled to the platform to rotate therewith and positioned to irradiate with an x-ray beam at least a portion of the breast, and a detector assembly coupled to the platform to rotate therewith and positioned to receive the x-ray beam from the x-ray source assembly. The system includes a shielding enclosure rigidly mounted atop the platform to rotate therewith, enclosing during rotation of the platform the detector assembly, the breast, and the x-ray beam, and having walls composed of a material and a thickness to attenuate an x-ray beam of a predetermined energy and intensity by a predetermined amount.