METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINED DUAL-ENERGY MAMMOGRAPHY AND TOMOSYNTHESIS IMAGING

摘要

In a method and tomosynthesis apparatus for combined dual-energy mammography and tomosynthesis imaging of a predetermined volume of an examination subject, while contrast agent is flowing through the volume, an x-ray source is set to radiate x-rays at low and high radiation energy. A pre-shot of the volume is obtained with the high radiation energy, and recording parameters for high-energy images, low-energy images, and low-energy tomosynthesis scans are obtained from the pre-shot. A high-energy image is then obtained, followed by operating the x-ray source at a low energy, and a low-energy tomosynthesis scan of the volume is executed using the recording parameters, and a two-dimensional low-energy image of the volume is generated during the low-energy tomosynthesis scan.

主权项

1. A method for combined dual-energy mammography and tomosynthesis imaging of a predetermined volume of an object under examination while a contrast agent is flowing through the volume, by operation of a tomosynthesis apparatus, said method comprising:
setting a high energy supply to an x-ray source of the tomosynthesis apparatus for a high radiation energy; setting a pre-shot of the predetermined volume with the high radiation energy; calculating recording parameters of the tomosynthesis apparatus for high-energy images, for low-energy images and for low-energy tomosynthesis scans from the pre-shot by means of an AEC (Automatic Exposure Control) device; creating a two-dimensional high-energy image of the predetermined volume with the high radiation energy by using the recording parameters calculated for high-energy images; after the high-energy image, setting a low energy supply to the x-ray source of the tomosynthesis apparatus for a low radiation energy, the high radiation energy being much higher than the low radiation energy; creating a two-dimensional low-energy image of the predetermined volume with the low radiation energy by using the recording parameters calculated for low-energy images; and creating a low-energy tomosynthesis scan of the predetermined volume by using the recording parameters calculated for the low-energy tomosynthesis scan, the low-energy image being created during the low-energy tomosynthesis scan.