Patent ID: 6970531
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object, said imaging system comprising: an x-ray source positioned a predetermined distance from said object and continuously moving along a linear path relative to said object, said x-ray source transmitting x-ray radiation through said region of said object a plurality of predetermined locations along said path while said x-ray source is continuously moving along said path relative to said object; a motion controller coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moving said x-ray source along said path relative to said object wherein continuously moving said x-ray source minimizes vibration in said imaging system, and wherein said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a first velocity at said plurality of predetermined locations along said pert and said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a second velocity outside said plurality of predetermined locations along said path, and wherein the second velocity is different from the first velocity; an x-ray detector positioned a predetermined distance from said x-ray source, the x-ray detector detecting said x-ray radiation transmitted through said region of said object, said x-ray detector acquiring x-ray image data representative of said region of said object wherein said x-ray image data is acquired by said x-ray detector at a rate relative to said moving x-ray source; and a processing unit coupled to said x-ray detector for processing said x-ray image data into at least one tornosynthesis image of said region of said object.