Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes supporting the breast on a breast support platform. A compressive force is applied to the breast with a breast immobilization element including a rigid substrate, a foam compressive element secured below the rigid substrate, and a force sensor. The foam compressive element is in contact with the breast during application of the compressive force. A force signal is detected at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force. A compressed thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor is determined based at least in part on the detected force signal at the force sensor. An automatic exposure control is set based at least in part on the determined thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system and method to calculate the automatic exposure control (AEC) calibrated dosage for tomosynthesis sweeps. For example, reference images may be acquired, and corresponding reference detector count maps may be generated and stored for a plurality of projection angles using the tomosynthesis imaging system. The tomosynthesis imaging system may then acquire a scout image using a scout dosage, identify the densest region within the scout image, and calculated the average detector count values associated with the densest region. The AEC calibrated dosage can be calculated based on a ratio of the average reference detector count values, corresponding to the detector count values of pixels with a corresponding densest region of the reference image, and the calculated average detector count values.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes supporting the breast on a breast support platform. A compressive force is applied to the breast with a breast immobilization element including a rigid substrate, a foam compressive element secured below the rigid substrate, and a force sensor. The foam compressive element is in contact with the breast during application of the compressive force. A force signal is detected at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force. A compressed thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor is determined based at least in part on the detected force signal at the force sensor. An automatic exposure control is set based at least in part on the determined thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying internal motion of a breast of a patient during an imaging procedure. The method may include compressing the breast of the patient in a mediolateral oblique (MLO) position. During compression of the breast, a first tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a first angle with respect the breast is acquired and a second tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a second angle with respect to the breast is acquired. Boundaries of the pectoral muscle are identified in the projection frames and boundary representations are generated. A difference between the first representation and the second representation is determined. A motion score is then generated based on at least the difference between the first representation and the second representation.

Abstract: The present application discloses a tomosynthesis system and method that combines high dose gain maps directly, or high-resolution components of high dose gain maps, with low resolution components of low dose gain maps at a plurality of imaging parameters, to produce high quality gain map efficiently at the plurality of imaging parameters, to perform gain corrections to x-ray images.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle includes emitting an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam paddle having a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, wherein the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the upper markers. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. At least one of the plurality of upper markers and at least one of the plurality of lower markers is identified in the image. A thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations is determined, wherein each of the plurality of thickness locations corresponds to at least one of the plurality of lower markers.

Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.

Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging a patient's breast in combinations of dual-energy, single-energy, mammography and tomosynthesis modes that facilitate screening for and diagnosis of breast abnormalities, particularly breast abnormalities characterized by abnormal vascularity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying internal motion of a breast of a patient during an imaging procedure. The method may include compressing the breast of the patient in a mediolateral oblique (MLO) position. During compression of the breast, a first tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a first angle with respect the breast is acquired and a second tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a second angle with respect to the breast is acquired. Boundaries of the pectoral muscle are identified in the projection frames and boundary representations are generated. A difference between the first representation and the second representation is determined. A motion score is then generated based on at least the difference between the first representation and the second representation.

Abstract: The present application discloses a tomosynthesis system and method that combines high dose gain maps directly, or high-resolution components of high dose gain maps, with low resolution components of low dose gain maps at a plurality of imaging parameters, to produce high quality gain map efficiently at the plurality of imaging parameters, to perform gain corrections to x-ray images.

Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast compressed with a paddle including a foam compressive element. The method emits an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam compressive element and a marker disposed adjacent the foam compressive element. The x-ray energy is emitted over a predetermined time period. The marker includes a physical characteristic. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast and the marker is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. The marker in the generated image includes an image characteristic associated with the physical characteristic. The image characteristic is compared to the physical characteristic. A signal is sent when the image characteristic deviates from the physical characteristic by a threshold.

Abstract: A method for masking a container in a computerized tomography (CT) image includes receiving a specimen secured in a container on a rotatable support surface and identifying the container. A mask corresponding to the container is determined. The specimen and container are rotated through a plurality of imaging angles. During rotation the specimen and container are imaged to obtain a set of 2D images and a 3D representation of the specimen and of the container are generated. A mask is applied to mask the 3D representation of the container. The resulting the 3D representation of the specimen is displayed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a tomosynthesis system and method that combines high dose gain maps directly, or high-resolution components of high dose gain maps, with low resolution components of low dose gain maps at a plurality of imaging parameters, to produce high quality gain map efficiently at the plurality of imaging parameters, to perform gain corrections to x-ray images.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for using machine learning (ML) to predict optimal exposure technique for acquiring mammographic images. In aspects, training data may be collected from one or more data sources. The training data may comprise sample data of patient attribute data and sample image attribute data, image metadata, image pixel data, and/or exposure technique parameters. The training data may be used to train an ML model to determine the optimal exposure technique parameters for acquiring mammographic images of a patient. After the ML model has been trained, patient data that is collected from a patient during a patient visit may be provided as input to the ML model. The ML model may output optimal exposure technique parameters for the patient in real-time. The real-time output of the ML model may be used to generate one or more mammographic images of the patient.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a gantry (126) and a compression arm assembly (104). The compression arm assembly (104) including a support arm (122) supporting a compression paddle (108), a platform (106), and an x-ray receptor (114). An x-ray tube head (124) includes an x-ray source (120). A patient shield system (138) is disposed between the compression paddle (108) and the x-ray source (120). The patient shield system (138) includes an arm (142), a carrier (144), a shield (140), and at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) supporting the shield (140) on the carrier (144). A 0° tube head angle is defined as the x-ray source (120) being orthogonal to the support platform (106), and the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) is positioned on the support arm (122) such that the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) is between a ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes supporting the breast on a breast support platform. A compressive force is applied to the breast with a breast immobilization element including a rigid substrate, a foam compressive element secured below the rigid substrate, and a force sensor. The foam compressive element is in contact with the breast during application of the compressive force. A force signal is detected at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force. A compressed thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor is determined based at least in part on the detected force signal at the force sensor. An automatic exposure control is set based at least in part on the determined thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor.

Abstract: The housing for a breast imaging system contains an x-ray source and is configured to rotate relative to the breast. The housing for an x-ray receptor has a breast support platform and extends from an arm assembly which rotates independently from the x-ray source housing. A compression arm assembly connected to the arm assembly moves between a first linear position proximate the x-ray receptor housing and a second linear position distal the x-ray receptor housing. A pair of extension arms are pivotably connected to a strut which removably secures a compression paddle to the compression arm assembly substrate. The extension arms move between a first pivoted position substantially aligned with the strut and a second pivoted position disposed at an angle to the strut.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-modality (MMI) imaging of a specimen (136) are disclosed. A specimen may be imaged with a first modality at a first plurality of imaging angles and imaged with a second modality at a second plurality of imaging angles. The first modality may be associated with a different x-ray dose than the second modality. Additionally, one or more angles of the first plurality of imaging angles may be different from the second plurality of imaging angles. Image data obtained from imaging with each modality is used to compile reconstructed images of the specimen. A portion of the reconstructed images that includes a micro-calcification may be reconstructed based on image data from the modality associated with a higher dose.