Patent ID: 9636072
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A breast imaging apparatus, comprising: a locator for positioning a breast of a patient within a predetermined frame of reference having a predetermined axis extending away from a boundary plane of the predetermined frame of reference, wherein an axis of the breast that extends from a chest wall of the patient through a nipple of the breast is alignable with said predetermined axis for imaging; a first support member pivotably mounted to a pedestal, wherein the first support member pivots about the predetermined axis; an imaging beam source mounted to the first support member for transmitting an imaging beam through said predetermined frame of reference; a second support member pivotably mounted to the first support member at an adjoinment location offset from said predetermined axis; an imaging signal detector mounted to the second support member for receiving said imaging beam and providing an output signal in response thereto, wherein said imaging beam source and said imaging signal detector are each moveable relative to said predetermined frame of reference and are moveable relative to one another, wherein said output signal comprises projection image data corresponding with a predetermined angular range of projection views of the breast, and wherein said imaging signal detector comprises: an array of detector elements, comprising an active array of detector elements configured to scan across a region of interest within said predetermined frame of reference, said active array of detector elements having a length defined by at least one column of aligned detector elements extending parallel to said predetermined axis of said predetermined frame of reference and having a width defined by at least one detector element extending in a direction orthogonal to said length, wherein said width of the active array is less than a width of the breast located within said predetermined frame of reference; and, a processor for computed tomography processing said projection image data to provide a reconstructed image.