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.

The present disclosure is related to an imaging system. The imaging system may include at least one array radiation source and a detector. Each of the at least one array radiation source may include a plurality of point radiation sources. The at least one array radiation source may be configured to emit at least one radiation beam. The detector may be configured to detect at least part of the at least one radiation beam.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising: capturing a first image of a tissue using radiation; selecting a region of the tissue based on the first image; capturing a second image of the tissue in the region using the radiation; wherein a signal-to-noise ratio of the second image is higher than a signal-to-noise ratio of the first image.

A system for imaging a breast includes a gantry and a tube head rotatably coupled thereto. An x-ray source is disposed within the tube head. A support arm is movably coupled to the gantry and includes a breast support platform. An x-ray detector is disposed within the breast support platform and a compression arm is movably coupled to the support arm. An opaque breast compression paddle is coupled to the compression arm. The breast support platform and the opaque compression paddle at least partially define a compression volume for compressing a breast and a camera is arranged to capture images of the compression volume. An image display is at least partially disposed on the system and is configured to display the images of the compression volume captured by the camera.

A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

Disclosed herein is a system comprising: a radiation source configured to cause emission of characteristic X-rays of a chemical element in human breast tissues by generating and directing radiation to the human breast tissues; a first image sensor configured to capture a first set of images of the human breast tissues using the characteristic X-rays; a second image sensor configured to capture a second set of images of the human breast tissues using the radiation that has transmitted through the human breast tissues; and a clamp configured to compress the human breast tissues against the second image sensor; wherein the first image sensor is between the clamp and the second image sensor.

A breast compression paddle includes a bracket, a rigid substrate, and a foam compressive element. The bracket removably secures the breast compression paddle to an imaging system. The rigid substrate is secured to the bracket and includes a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite the first edge. The foam compressive element is slidably secured to the rigid substrate.

Systems and methods for determining an image type are disclosed. A user interface includes a visual representation of a breast and a visual representation of a medical imaging system. The visual representation of the medical imaging system includes a visual representation of a detector and either a source or a compression paddle. The visual representation of the medical imaging system may be rotatable and positionable relative to the visual representation of the breast. Based on the relative position and orientation of the visual representation of the medical imaging system relative to the visual representation of the breast, an image type is determined. The image type may be displayed at the user interface.

A multimodal system for breast imaging includes an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source after passing through a breast. The system includes an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to the x-ray detector so as to be able to translate the x-ray detector from a first displacement from the breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with the breast. The system includes an x-ray image processor configured to: receive a CT data set from the x-ray detector, the CT data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the first displacement; compute a CT image of the breast; receive a mammography data set from the x-ray detector, the mammography data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the second displacement; and compute a mammography image of the breast.

The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus for a pressure paddle, the lifting apparatus for the pressure paddle comprising: a lifting belt rotated by a driving means; a lifting pulley manually rotated by the lifting belt hung thereon; a lifting frame on which the lifting pulley is mounted; and a pressure paddle mounted on the lifting frame.