Patent Application
20170082557
The development of imaging parts of the human body has been instrumental in modern diagnostic and surgical procedures within the medical field. This imaging allows medical professionals to detect and monitor abnormalities and suspicious masses in an accurate manner that is less invasive than surgery. In addition to accurate diagnostics, medical centers and medical professionals must also consider the efficiency of the procedure and the cost of the imaging devices when choosing what imaging equipment to utilize.
The x-ray system and method discussed herein can be applied to various x-ray imaging systems, for example, to mammography and breast biopsy systems. In a typical mammography procedure, x-ray images are generated of a patient's breast in order to identify suspicious masses or abnormalities. If a medical professional confirms the presence of a suspicious mass, further imaging may be performed to obtain additional information about the mass. In some cases, a breast biopsy is performed, particularly if it is believed the mass is malignant.
In a breast biopsy, a needle is typically inserted into the breast manually or by using automatic means, such as during a stereotactic x-ray biopsy. In a typical biopsy procedure, a patient can be positioned on a breast support located above an x-ray detector and below an x-ray source. The breast is then held in place by a compression paddle for more accurate imaging of the breast. A biopsy instrument may be used manually and/or with an imaging system that proposes coordinates of a region of interest to acquire biopsy tissue samples of a region of interest.
To determine whether the samples acquired contain malignant or suspicious masses, a user may use an imaging system to acquire images of the samples themselves. Currently, a user must acquire the samples then bring the samples to a separate imaging machine. The separate imaging machine may be located in a room dedicated to sample imaging analysis or the machine may be another imaging machine that is not currently in use on another patient. Alternatively, some imaging systems contain separate, dedicated imaging means including a separate x-ray detector and x-ray source for imaging the biopsy samples only. These separate imaging means are typically attached to the imaging system and are dedicated to a certain field within which a user must place the acquired samples.
A problem of the method and systems described above is that additional x-ray imaging devices are required, which (i) may not be located in the same room as the ongoing biopsy procedure, (ii) may be in use on another patient, and/or (iii) may require a separate, dedicated sample imaging apparatus. If the additional imaging devices are being used to perform other procedures, a patient, who is already undergoing a long and uncomfortable procedure, may be forced to wait in an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time. As an alternative, dedicated sample imaging means may be used to avoid this uncomfort and/or the transport of samples to a different machine or different location; however, the dedicated sample imaging means increase the cost of the machine. Furthermore, dedicated sample imaging means may break or require maintenance at both a financial cost and downtime cost to a medical facility.
In accordance with this disclosure, a method and system for imaging biopsy samples during an x-ray guided biopsy procedure is provided. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improved methods and systems for imaging breast biopsy samples during an x-ray guided breast biopsy procedure. The methods and systems described herein allow for the imaging of biopsy samples during the biopsy procedure on the same imaging machine where the patient is imaged without the need to move the patient from the imaging machine.
The x-ray system and method disclosed herein does not require the transfer of the samples being imaged to a different imaging system and does not require dedicated sample imaging means. Instead, the x-ray system provides a user with the technical advantage of imaging both the object and the biopsy samples from the object using the same imaging system without moving the patient. This allows for a patient, for example a woman undergoing a breast biopsy, to remain in position and under compression while biopsy samples are taken, while the biopsy samples are imaged, and while additional samples are taken or a full biopsy is performed. The x-ray system and method, therefore, reduces financial costs for additional equipment, downtime, procedure time, and possible sample mix-ups where multiple machines are used.
The various embodiments of this x-ray system and method, described in more detail below, provide a number of options for the user of the imaging system to image the samples. Advantageously, the embodiments limit the amount of radiation a patient or object is exposed to while making the procedure more efficient. Furthermore, the embodiments allow for automatic, system, and manual adjustment of the field of view for imaging the object or patient, as well as the samples. This flexibility allows a user to ensure the field of view of the samples is large enough to accommodate the samples and to adjust the collimator to exclude as much of the object or patient as possible, at least a portion of the object, or a majority of the object or patient.
By providing a light source that corresponds to the field of view of the collimator as discussed herein, the user can visualize which portion of the object support will be exposed to the x-rays. A user can then manually adjust the field of view using mechanisms located on the collimator or adjust the light source, which corresponds to the field of view. This will allow the user to visualize where the samples should be placed once the collimator is adjusted or allow the user to adjust the field of view to fit the samples. After the adjustment, the same system used to acquire the image of the object or patient, for example a scout image of the object is used to acquire at least one image of the samples without the need for additional imaging equipment.
Commercial advantages provided by the x-ray system and method discussed herein include providing a simpler, easier, and lower cost means of imaging a biopsy samples in contrast to the existing techniques. Currently, additional x-ray imaging devices are required to image biopsy samples, either by performing the imaging on a different machine altogether, or by using a separate, dedicated biopsy sample imaging system. This additional equipment is costly, requires upkeep and maintenance, and can add time to the biopsy procedure.
In an embodiment of the x-ray system method, where the x-ray system includes an x-ray source, x-ray detector, object support placed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector, and a controller, the method steps include positioning an object on the object support, acquiring one or more images of the object using the x-ray system, acquiring one or more biopsy samples from the object, communicating the one or more images to the controller, wherein the controller has a display and a user interface, displaying the one or more images of the object on the display, defining an area on the one or more images, communicating the coordinates of the defined area to a collimator, placing the one or more biopsy samples on the object support, and acquiring one or more images of the biopsy samples without removing the object from the object support.
In another embodiment of a method of imaging biopsy samples using an x-ray system, which includes an x-ray apparatus having an x-ray detector, an x-ray source, an object support, and illuminating means, the method steps include, placing an object on the object support, illuminating an area of the object support using the illuminating means, placing the biopsy samples onto the object support within the illuminated area, and acquiring one or more images of the biopsy samples using the x-ray apparatus without removing the object from the object support, wherein the field of view of the x-ray source corresponds to the illuminated area. The method may also include adjusting the illuminated area to cover mostly only parts of the breast support not occupied by the breast.
An embodiment of an x-ray system for imaging biopsy samples includes an x-ray apparatus, which has an x-ray source, a collimator, an x-ray detector and an object support. The collimator is adjusted to limit x-rays from the x-ray source to an area of the object support in which the biopsy samples are placed and to exclude at least a portion of the object from the x-rays from the x-ray source. The x-ray system may also include a support disposed between the object support and the x-ray source on which biopsy samples are placed. The x-ray system may also include a work station coupled to communicate to the x-ray apparatus. The work station may include a controller and a display including a user interface, where the controller is configured to adjust the collimator to an area defined on the user interface in which biopsy samples will be or are placed.
The operation of the inventive methods and systems will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
The invention discussed herein allows for the imaging of tissue biopsy samples during a biopsy procedure on the same machine where an object or patient is imaged, without the need to move or remove the patient or the portion of the patient being imaged, such as a patient's breast.
Referring to
The x-ray apparatus 12 includes a support structure 14, to which an x-ray source 16 and an x-ray detector 18 may be attached. The x-ray source 16 is directed toward a volume or object 22 to be x-rayed, and is configured to emit a beam of x-rays at desired times and to acquire one or more x-ray images 42. Once the x-rays are emitted, the beam of x-rays pass through the object 22 and are picked up by or hit the detector 18. The detector 18 may be any one of a variety of different detectors conventionally known in the art or that will become available in the future, such as an x-ray detector, digital radiography detector, or flat panel detector.
The x-ray apparatus 12 may also include an object support 20 on which the object 22 is placed. The object 22 may be a portion of a patient, such as a breast. The x-ray apparatus 12 may further include compression means, such as a compression paddle 24, which compresses the object 22. Compression paddle 24 holds the breast still and in place while optionally providing apertures to allow for insertion of a biopsy tool, needle, core needle, or vacuum assisted core needle. Compression paddle 24 also serves to compress the object or breast to minimize the thickness traversed by the x-rays and to help reduce movement of the object 22 due to the patient moving. Optionally, the x-ray apparatus 12 may also include a patient shield 26 to shield portions of a patient from radiation exposure from the x-ray source and/or to shield the patient from viewing the procedure and biopsy tissue samples.
In addition to the x-ray apparatus 12, the x-ray system 10 may include a work station 28, which includes a computer or controller 29. The work station 28 and/or controller 29 is connected or in communication with at least the x-ray apparatus 12, through connection 30, which could be wired or wireless. The controller 29 may also be connected to a display 32 comprising an interface 34, which allows a user to interact with the controller 29 to acquire x-ray images, position and operate parts of the x-ray apparatus 12, define or propose a region of interest or field of view, and display images 42. The controller 29, which may be a processor, computer, etc., may include a memory or storage and processing circuitry that executes stored program logic and may be any one of a different computers, processors, controllers, or combination thereof that are available for and compatible with the various types of equipment and devices used in the x-ray system 10.
Through its processors and controllers, the controller 29 controls the operation and function of the x-ray source 16 and the detector 18. The controller 29 is capable of controlling when the x-ray source 16 emits x-rays, how the detector 18 reads and conveys information or signals after the x-rays hit the detector 18, and how the x-ray source 16 and the detector 18 moves relative to one another and relative to the object 22. The controller 29 also controls how information, including images 42 and data acquired during the operation, is processed, displayed, stored, and manipulated. The different processing steps performed by the controller 29 are dictated and controlled by software designed to allow controller 29 to perform the various operations underlying the acquisition of x-rays, some of which are discussed herein. Information may also be stored in one or more memories of controller 29 for later retrieval and use.
The work station 28 typically includes one or more of the display 32 with the interface 34, selecting means 36, input means 38, and a radiation shield 40. The work station 28 can be used by an x-ray technician, physician, or other trained professional for interacting with the x-ray apparatus 12 as a user. The input means 38 may be a mouse, keyboard, touch pad, or other input devices. The display 32 can display one or more images 42 at the same time, different times, in sequence, or out of sequence that were acquired during an x-ray procedure, or track data relevant to the x-ray system 10 from controller 29. The display coupled to the workstation 28 may be utilized to observe the images 42 and to control scout image acquisition, further image acquisition, which may be used to guide a biopsy procedure, and/or imaging of biopsy samples as discussed herein.
With reference to
In an embodiment, the biopsy tool may be configured as a biopsy needle mounted to a hand piece. The biopsy needle may include an outer cannula, an inner cannula positioned therein, and an opening for receiving a portion of tissue from the biopsied lesion or target. The cannulas form a cutting device wherein the outer cannula is configured to slide or rotate over the inner cannula, and/or the inner cannula is configured to slide or rotate within the outer cannula. The biopsy tool may further comprise an introducer stylet and an introducer sheath mounted to the hand piece. The introducer stylet inserted within the introducer sheath is inserted into a patient.
Once the biopsy tool is inserted, at least one biopsy sample may be removed from object 22, such as a patient's breast, by use of aspiration and/or the cutting mechanism formed by the inner and outer cannulas. The sample is moved by aspiration down an aspiration tube coupled to a collection chamber with individual prelabeled chambers to delineate the order or location of each sample from the biopsy procedure. Alternative means of labeling each sample allowing for location identification and/or order identification may also be employed.
In an embodiment, the x-ray system 10, particularly controller 29, proposes a region of interest corresponding to the field of view from at least one predefined region, for acquiring images of biopsy samples positioned within the predefined region. As shown in
As illustrated by dotted lines in
In one embodiment, the x-ray system 10 may propose one of the four regions, 48, 50, 52, and 54 from the predefined regions on the interface 34 as a default position. This embodiment may save time and is advantageous when a user typically places the biopsy samples in a particular region for many patients based on known positioning of the patient on the x-ray apparatus 12. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the system may propose one of the regions based on knowledge of the current position of the object 22 on the object support 20 and/or by image analysis. In this embodiment, an automatic object detection algorithm may be applied to identify the area of the image covered by the object 22. The object 22 may be a breast and the image can be a 2D projection image of the breast. In an example of this embodiment, the pixels belonging to the breast may be separated from the pixels belonging to the background by “thresholding.” In thresholding, the computer computes the coordinates of at least one region in the background which can be used for biopsy sample imaging.
The system may also use a method for extrapolating a grey-level bidimensional image, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,098,920 B2 to General Electric Company. In an example of this embodiment, a field of the bidimensional grey-level image to be extrapolated is determined where at each point on the field a grey-level value is known and pertinent. Then, a bidimensional mask associated with the field and extrapolated beyond the limit of a recording means is determined. The bidimensional grey-level image beyond the limit of the recording means from the extrapolated bidimensional mask is then extrapolated. It should be understood that the image analysis and knowledge of the current position of the object 22 on the detector 24 is not limited to thresholding and/or the example provided relating to U.S. Pat. No. 8,098,920 B2, and that a person having ordinary skill in the art may employ additional or different methods.
In addition or alternatively to the system 10 proposing a region automatically to a user, the system 10, specifically the interface 34, may also include one or more, or a plurality of tool icons 47 for interacting with the one or more of the one or more images 42 and/or any portion of the x-ray system 10, such as the x-ray source 16. Tool icons discussed herein are non-limiting examples as to their position, shape, size, and location on the interface 34. It should be understood that additional or fewer tool icons may be shown and that tool icons may be used that accomplish the same result as discussed herein but are called a different name.
A user may use one or more of the tool icons 47 to select a quadrant or predefined region. As an example, tool icons 47 may comprise specific region selection tools 56, 58, 60, and 62, which correspond to the regions 48, 50, 52, and 54 of the field of view of the one or more images 42. For example, a user may select region 48 using quadrant selection tool 56 or may select regions 48 and 54 together using quadrant selection tools 56 and 62 together to select a larger field of view in which to place biopsy samples. Alternatively, a user may use region selection tools 56, 58, 60, or 62 to move from a proposed default region to a different region after the user has analyzed the one or more images 42, effectively overriding the default region.
In an exemplary embodiment, a user may select region 48 (shown in
Referring to
The region of interest tool 80 allows a user to look at the one or more images 42 of object 22 and draw a region of interest 84 corresponding to a field of view of the x-ray source 16 to (i) keep the object outside of the field of view altogether or as much as possible and/or (ii) draw or select a region of interest large enough to accommodate the samples. A user may select the region of interest tool 80 to draw a region of interest 84 on one or more images 42. In one embodiment, the region of interest tool 80 allows a user to draw a field of view of any shape or size within the boundaries of the one or more images 42. In another embodiment, the region of interest tool 80 allows a user to draw a region of interest 84, such as a rectangle, circle, square, polygon, or other shape, and to adjust the size and position of this shape. In order to draw the shape, a user may select, draw, and/or adjust the drawn region of interest 84 using a mouse, keyboard, touch pad, touch screen, or other means for drawing and selecting.
As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments of the x-ray system 10, illuminating means 88 may also be included within the collimator 92. The illuminating means 88 can be used to verify that the object 22 is outside of the field of view 94 as much as possible and/or to check that the field of view 94 is large enough to accommodate the samples 74. As illustrated in
The unadjusted field of view and the adjusted field of view may be visualized by a user using the illuminating means 88 to shine a light corresponding to the unadjusted and adjusted field of view on the object support 20. The collimator may be adjusted to correspond to the field of view of the illuminating means either directly with the adjustment of the illuminating means or after adjustment of the illuminating means. Alternatively, the unadjusted field of view and the adjusted field of view may correspond only to the collimator and the user may not be able to visually see the adjusted and unadjusted field of view. This case may occur, for example, when a user depends on the region of interest defined on the display and the collimator adjusts accordingly without any confirmation of the location of the field of view using the illuminating means.
In an embodiment depicted in
As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the x-ray system 10 automatically moves the collimator 92 to define a field of view for imaging the samples without the need of any interaction with interface 34. Of course it should be understood that a user may choose to interact with interface 34 to adjust the collimator 92 after the system 10 automatically moves the collimator 92 to define a field of view or the user may manually adjust the collimator 92. This field of view may be a field of view from a predefined set of regions of interests, may be based on knowledge of the current position of the object 22 being imaged on the object support 20, and/or may be derived from analysis of the image acquired of the object 22. Advantageously, the field of view the system 10 automatically moves the collimator 82 to would keep the object 22 outside of the field of view as much as possible and/or be a large enough field of view to accommodate the samples for sample imaging.
A user can then use the illumination means 88 to verify that the object 22 is outside of the field of view of the x-ray source 16 as much as possible and/or to check that the field of view is large enough to accommodate the samples. While guided by the illumination means 88, which may be a light, a user may determine that the field of view should be enlarged, shrunk or moved. The user can then adjust the collimation on the x-ray apparatus 12 to keep as much of the object outside of the field of view as possible, and to ensure the field of view accommodates the samples for imaging. Once the field of view is satisfactory, the user places the samples on the object support 20 inside the field of view and acquires at least one image of the samples. Alternatively, the samples may be placed on the object support 20, the x-ray system may automatically move the collimator 92 to a position, then the user may use the illumination means 88 and/or the adjustment means 90 to the samples on the object support 20.
In another embodiment, a user can use illumination means 88 corresponding to a field of view restricted by the collimator to propose and/or determine an adequate field of view. For example, after an image is acquired, a user may turn on the illumination means 88 to determine if the field of view is large enough to accommodate the samples and keep as much of the object outside of the field of view as possible. Upon using the illumination means 88, the collimator adjusts in real time along with the adjustment of the light field, or may adjust after the illumination means 88 is used, to fit the illuminated area defined by the user. The user may then place the samples on the object support 20 within the field of view and acquire at least one image of the samples. Alternatively, a user may place the samples on the object support 20 prior to turning on the illumination means 88 or prior to making any adjustments to the illumination means 88 or the collimator 92. The user may then adjust the illumination means 88 and/or collimator 92 to the sample located on the object support, so that the light field and thus the field of view excludes as much of the object being imaged as possible.
In additional embodiments, a dedicated automatic acquisition mode may be used to image the samples, for example, using pre-selected regions and techniques. The pre-selected techniques may be stored in the memory of the controller 29 and selected by a user or may be automatically selected based upon pre-defined settings, the current position of the object 22 to be imaged and/or by image analysis.
Referring to
In other embodiments, the images acquired of the samples are saved in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format. Preferably, the DICOM images will contain the information specific to breast specimen imaging following, for example, the DICOM Supplement 122, “Specimen Module and Revised Pathology SOP Classes.” This information may be manually and/or automatically filled. This labeling allows for tracking and accurate identification of the images of the biopsy sample(s).
Referring to
At step 210, the x-ray apparatus 12 is used to acquire one or more images 42 of object 22. In an embodiment, the one or more x-ray images 42 comprise a scout image prior to removing biopsy samples. At step 211, one or more tissue or biopsy samples 74 are acquired from the object. In another embodiment the one or more images 42 comprise an image acquired after one or more tissue or biopsy samples 74 have been removed from the object 22. At step 212, the one or more images 42 is transferred through connection 30 to the controller 29 and may be displayed on the display screen 32 having a user interface 34 at step 214.
After the one or more images 42 is displayed, at step 216, a user may define a region of interest area 84 which corresponds to a field of view on the user interface 34 in which biopsy samples 74 are or will be placed. The area 84 corresponds to the sample region of interest 76 having region of interest boundary 78 which will be imaged by x-ray apparatus 12. To define the area 84, a user may use a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, or other means which would allow a user to define the boundary of a region of interest for imaging biopsy samples 74, in which the biopsy samples 74 could be placed. The user would typically define the area 84 to exclude as much of the object 22 as possible while defining the area 84 to be large enough to accommodate the biopsy samples, thus limiting the amount of radiation the object 22 is exposed to.
At step 218, where the coordinates of the drawn object area 86 defined by the user are communicated to the collimator 92 as discussed above. The collimator automatically adjusts after receiving the coordinates from controller 29 or the user, or may adjust after the user has confirmed the coordinates and/or after the biopsy samples 74 have been placed onto the object support 20. At step 220, the user places one or more biopsy samples 74 directly or indirectly onto object support 20 in the area which will be illuminated by the x-ray source 16 and not in the drawn object area 86 marked by the user as the object 22, or as much outside of the drawn object area 86 as possible. At step 222, one or more images of the biopsy samples 74 is acquired.
In another embodiment of the method, the user may draw the object on the user interface 34 using an object selection or object defining tool with a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, or other means which would allow a user to define the boundary of object 22 in the one or more images 42. In this embodiment, the user would draw or select object 22 to distinguish between the area of object support 20 that will be exposed to radiation and the area of object support 20 that will not be exposed to radiation or will be exposed to limited radiation.
The embodiment of the method then proceeds to step 218, where the coordinates of the drawn object area 86 defined by the user are communicated to the collimator 92 as discussed herein. The collimator automatically adjusts after receiving the coordinates from controller 29 or the user, or may adjust the collimator after the user has confirmed the coordinates and/or after the biopsy samples 74 have been placed onto the object support 20. At step 220, the user places one or more biopsy samples 74 directly or indirectly onto object support 20 in the area which will be illuminated by the x-ray source 16 and not in the drawn object area 86 marked by the user as the object 22, or as much outside of the drawn object area 86 as possible. At step 222, one or more images of the biopsy samples 74 is acquired.
Prior to acquiring one or more images of the biopsy samples 74 at step 222, a user may use the illuminating means 88 to aid the user in placing the biopsy samples 74 into the correct area on object support 20. The user may use the illuminating means 88 prior to placing the biopsy samples 74 onto the object support 20 so that the user would be able to visually see where to place the biopsy samples 74. The user may also use illuminating means 88 after the biopsy samples 74 have been placed onto the object support 20 to confirm the biopsy samples 74 have been placed onto the object support 20.
The user may also use illuminating means 88 to confirm object 22 is excluded entirely or as much as possible from the field of view of the x-ray source 16. In an alternative embodiment, the illuminating means 88 may illuminate the area which is excluded from the x-ray source 16 field of view rather than the area which is included within the x-ray source 16 field of view.
In an embodiment, for example, after step 218 or step 220, the user may adjust the illuminating means 88 to be larger, smaller, or of a different shape. The field illuminated by the illuminating means 88 typically corresponds to the field of view of the of x-ray source 16. Therefore, when the collimator 92 is adjusted either by the controller 29, manually by the user, or by a default setting, the field of view of the x-ray source 16 is adjusted along with the field of the illuminating means 88.
In an alternative embodiment, the collimator 92 can operate entirely or partially separate from the illuminating means 88. The user may choose to adjust the illuminating means 88 and the collimator 92 would not adjust until the user confirms the user wishes to adjust the collimator 92 to the area illuminated by the illuminating means 88. This embodiment would allow a user to make adjustments to the illuminating means to fit the biopsy samples 74 or to exclude the object 22 without moving the collimator 92 field of view until the illuminated area reaches the size and shape the user desires.
In yet another embodiment of the method depicted in
Referring to
In another embodiment, the x-ray system 10, specifically the x-ray apparatus 12, and more specifically the x-ray source 16, automatically moves to a position to illuminate an area using the collimator 92 and/or the illuminating means 88 prior to any adjustment by the user. The position the x-ray source 16 automatically moves to may be a default position, for example a position most often separate from the object 22 where biopsy samples 74 are typically placed or may automatically move to a position based off of image analysis or based off of a known position of the object 22. Once the x-ray source 16, the collimator 92, and/or the illuminating means 88 has moved to a position automatically, the user may choose to adjust one or more of the x-ray source 16, the collimator 92, and/or the illuminating means 88 to better fit the area in which the samples 74 will or have been placed and/or to exclude object 22 from the field of view of the x-ray source 16.
It should be understood that the biopsy samples 74 may be acquired at any time during the biopsy procedure or method described herein. Additional biopsy samples may be acquired after the biopsy samples have been imaged initially and throughout the biopsy procedure. For example, biopsy samples may be acquired from an object, the biopsy samples may be imaged, and the user may determine that additional biopsy samples should be taken from the object. A second, third, fourth, or further round of acquiring and imaging the biopsy samples as described herein may be performed and are within the scope of this disclosure.
Additional images may be acquired during the procedure of the object in addition to or separate from the biopsy samples. For example, a user may choose to guide a biopsy tool within a breast by inserting the tool into the patient or object and acquiring an image, moving the tool, then acquiring one or more additional images. At various times the user may also choose to image biopsy samples apart from the image. The user may then choose to guide the biopsy tool further by acquiring images of the object then, again, switch back to acquiring images of the biopsy samples.
The user may also choose to image both the biopsy samples as well as the object simultaneously during a biopsy procedure. For example, if a user wishes to confirm the position of the biopsy tool or confirm that a complete biopsy was performed of a tumor or lesion while also confirming that the biopsy samples contain the tumor or lesion the user has removed, the user may find it advantageous to image the biopsy samples and the object at the same time. The user may use the method and system described herein to adjust the areas or field of view the x-ray apparatus images.
While illustrative embodiments have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. For the method described herein, it is to be understood that the steps may be performed in any order in alternative embodiments and may be repeated. Such modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, which is limited and defined only by the following claims.
