Mammography system and method employing offset compression paddles, automatic collimation, and retractable anti-scatter grid

Abstract

A mammographic imaging system is optimized for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor. It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in a field of view of the image receptor. When a compression paddle with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used the compression paddle can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic X-ray collimator restricts the X-ray illumination of the breast in accordance with the compression paddle size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid, mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 an x-ray source configured to move during an imaging procedure;   an x-ray receptor configured to obtain images during the imaging procedure;   a paddle for compressing a breast during the imaging procedure;   a collimator configured to control dispersion of radiation from the x-ray source; and   an auto-collimation control for automatically controlling the collimator, wherein the auto-collimation control is configured to receive an input signal.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a sensor to send the input signal to the auto-collimation control, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of:
 a position of the paddle relative to a proximal edge of the x-ray receptor;   a size of the paddle; and   a position of the paddle along a beam emitted from the x-ray source.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a sensor to send the input signal to the auto-collimation control, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of:
 a field of view;   a magnification parameter; and   a setting of the collimator.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a sensor to send the input signal to the auto-collimation control, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of:
 a position of a breast relative to the receptor; and   a position of an anti-scatter grid disposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray receptor.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the input signal is received from at least one of an auto-exposure sensor and the x-ray receptor. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the input signal is received based on a pre-exposure firing of the x-ray source. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the auto-collimation control is configured to, at least one of, (a) automatically move the collimator and (b) automatically adjust the collimator so as to control a collimation of a beam emitted from the x-ray source. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the auto-collimation control is configured to automatically adjust the collimator so as to control a collimation of a beam emitted from the x-ray source, wherein the automatic adjustment confines a beam emitted from the x-ray source to a predetermined footprint. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a sensor configured to send the input signal. 
     
     
         29 . A method of automatically controlling an imaging system comprising an x-ray source, an x-ray receptor, a paddle, and a collimator, the method comprising:
 receiving, at an auto-collimation control system, an input signal from a sensor; and   performing at least one of: (a) automatically moving the collimator and (b) automatically adjusting the collimator so as to control a collimation of a beam emitted from the x-ray source.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 emitting a beam from the x-ray source; and   sending the input signal, prior to the performing operation.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the beam comprises a pre-exposure firing. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising detecting, with the sensor, information regarding a breast disposed in a field of view of the x-ray receptor. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising detecting, with the sensor, at least one of:
 a position of the paddle relative to a proximal edge of the x-ray receptor;   a size of the paddle; and   a position of the paddle along a beam emitted from the x-ray source.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising detecting, with the sensor, at least one of:
 a field of view;   a magnification parameter; and   a setting of the collimator.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising detecting, with the sensor, at least one of:
 a position of a breast relative to the receptor; and   a position of an anti-scatter grid disposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray receptor.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the performing operation comprises automatically adjusting the collimator so as to control a collimation of a beam emitted from the x-ray source, wherein the automatic adjustment operation confines a beam emitted from the x-ray source to a predetermined footprint. 
     
     
         37 . A method of automatically controlling an imaging system comprising an x-ray source, an x-ray receptor, a paddle, a collimator, and a collimator control, the method comprising:
 emitting a beam from the x-ray source;   receiving, at the collimator control, a signal; and   automatically adjusting the collimator prior to emitting a subsequent beam from the x-ray source.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the automatically adjusting operation comprises moving the collimator. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the automatically adjusting operation comprises confining a subsequent beam emitted from the x-ray source to a predetermined footprint.