Imaging chain for digital tomosynthesis on a flat panel detector

Abstract

A method of creating and displaying images resulting from digital tomosynthesis performed on a subject using a flat panel detector is disclosed. The method includes the step of acquiring a series of x-ray images of the subject, where each x-ray image is acquired at different angles relative to the subject. The method also includes the steps of applying a first set of corrective measures to the series of images, reconstructing the series of images into a series of slices through the subject, and applying a second set of corrective measures to the slices. The method further includes the step of displaying the images or slices according to at least one of a plurality of display options.

1 .- 54 . (canceled)  
   
   
       55 . A method of creating and displaying images resulting from digital tomosynthesis performed on a subject using a flat panel detector comprising: 
 positioning a subject between an x-ray source and a flat panel detector;    acquiring image data from the detector at a plurality of different angular positions of the source relative to the subject;    processing the image data to form a two-dimensional image and a tomosynthesis image;    selectively using an anti-scatter grid during acquisition of at least a portion of the image data; and    selectively displaying the two-dimensional and tomosynthesis images.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the x-ray source is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the detector is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising identifying a feature of interest in at least one of the two-dimensional image and the tomosynthesis image.  
   
   
       59 . An imaging system comprising: 
 an x-ray source, and a flat panel x-ray detector, the source and/or the detector being selectively movable with respect to a subject disposed therebetween to different angular positions with respect to the subject;    a computer coupled to the source and to the detector for acquiring image data from the detector during emission of x-rays from the source at a plurality of angular positions of the source and/or the detector with respect to the subject; and    an anti-scatter grid selectively positionable with respect to the source and detector during acquisition of the image data;    the computer being configured to form at least one two-dimensional projection image and tomosynthesis images based upon the image data.    
   
   
       60 . The imaging system of  claim 59 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the x-ray source is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       61 . The imaging system of  claim 59 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the detector is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       62 . The imaging system of  claim 59 , wherein the computer is further configured to identify a feature of interest in at least one of the two-dimensional image and the tomosynthesis image.  
   
   
       63 . An imaging system comprising: 
 an x-ray source, and a flat panel x-ray detector, the source and/or the detector being selectively movable with respect to a subject disposed therebetween to different angular positions with respect to the subject;    a computer coupled to the source and to the detector for acquiring image data from the detector during emission of x-rays from the source at a plurality of angular positions of the source and/or the detector with respect to the subject;    the computer being configured to form at least one two-dimensional projection image and tomosynthesis images of selected slices through the subject based upon the image data; and    a display for displaying two dimensional projection image and the tomosynthesis images.    
   
   
       64 . The imaging system of  claim 63 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the x-ray source is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       65 . The imaging system of  claim 63 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the detector is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       66 . The imaging system of  claim 63 , wherein the computer is further configured to identify a feature of interest in at least one of the two-dimensional image and the tomosynthesis image.  
   
   
       67 . An imaging system comprising: 
 an x-ray source, and a flat panel x-ray detector, the source and/or the detector being selectively movable with respect to a subject disposed therebetween to different angular positions with respect to the subject;    a computer coupled to the source and to the detector for acquiring image data from the detector during emission of x-rays from the source at a plurality of angular positions of the source and/or the detector with respect to the subject;    the computer being configured to form at least one two-dimensional projection image for analysis and a plurality of tomosynthesis images of selected slices through the subject based upon the image data; and    a display for selectively displaying two dimensional projection image for analysis and the plurality of tomosynthesis images.    
   
   
       68 . The imaging system of  claim 67 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the x-ray source is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       69 . The imaging system of  claim 67 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the detector is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       70 . The imaging system of  claim 67 , wherein the computer is further configured to identify a feature of interest in at least one of the two-dimensional image and the tomosynthesis image.  
   
   
       71 . An imaging system comprising: 
 an x-ray source, and a flat panel x-ray detector, the source and/or the detector being selectively movable with respect to a subject disposed therebetween to different angular positions with respect to the subject;    a computer coupled to the source and to the detector for acquiring image data from the detector suitable for reconstruction in a two-dimensional image or in a three-dimensional tomosynthesis image during emission of x-rays from the source at a plurality of angular positions of the source and/or the detector with respect to the subject;    the computer being configured to selectively form at least one or a two-dimensional projection image and a plurality of tomosynthesis images based upon the image data; and    a display for selectively displaying two dimensional projection image or the plurality of tomosynthesis images.    
   
   
       72 . The imaging system of  claim 71 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the x-ray source is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       73 . The imaging system of  claim 71 , wherein during acquisition of the image data the detector is moved with respect to the subject.  
   
   
       74 . The imaging system of  claim 71 , wherein the computer is further configured to identify a feature of interest in at least one of the two-dimensional image and the tomosynthesis image.  
   
   
       75 . A method of creating and displaying images using a flat panel detector comprising: 
 positioning a subject between an x-ray source and a flat panel detector;    acquiring image data from the detector suitable for reconstruction in a two-dimensional image or in a three-dimensional tomosynthesis image during emission of x-rays from the source;    selectively processing the image data to form a two-dimensional image or a plurality of tomosynthesis images; and    selectively displaying the two-dimensional image or the tomosynthesis images.