Claims
- 1. A method for generating an image of an object of interest, said method comprising:
acquiring a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using an X-ray source and a detector; acquiring a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using an ultrasound probe; and combining the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.
- 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
compressing an object of interest using a compression paddle; positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle such that the second three-dimensional dataset obtained with the ultrasound probe mover assembly is co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset obtained through the compression paddle by mechanical design; and coupling an ultrasound probe with the probe mover assembly such that the ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through the compression paddle and the object of interest.
- 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising registrating the first three-dimensional data set and the second three-dimensional data set during acquisition.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein combining the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset comprises registering the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset on a point-by-point basis.
- 5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein acquiring a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using an ultrasound probe comprises using an ultrasound probe including at least one of an active matrix linear transducer and a phased array transducer comprising elevation focusing and beam steering capabilities.
- 6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein acquiring a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using an ultrasound probe comprises using an ultrasound probe including a two-dimensional array of capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducers.
- 7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle comprises positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly including an automated two-dimensional ultrasound probe mover assembly.
- 8. A method for generating an image of an object of interest, said method comprising:
compressing an object of interest using a compression paddle; acquiring a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using an X-ray source and a detector; positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle such that the second three-dimensional dataset obtained with the ultrasound probe mover assembly is co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset obtained through the compression paddle by mechanical design; coupling an ultrasound probe with the probe mover assembly such that the ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through the compression paddle and the object of interest; acquiring a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using an ultrasound probe; and combining the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.
- 9. A method for generating an image of an object of interest, said method comprising:
compressing an object of interest using a compression paddle; acquiring a two-dimensional dataset of the object, at a first position, using an X-ray source and a detector; positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle such that the second three-dimensional dataset obtained with the ultrasound probe mover assembly is co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset obtained through the compression paddle by mechanical design; operationally coupling an ultrasound probe with the probe mover assembly such that the ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through the compression paddle and the object of interest; acquiring a three-dimensional dataset of the object, at the first position, using an ultrasound probe; and combining the two-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.
- 10. An apparatus comprising:
a compression paddle; an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle; and an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest.
- 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said paddle is coupled to a tomosynthesis imaging system.
- 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said object of interest is a breast.
- 13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said ultrasound probe comprises at least one of an active matrix linear transducer and a phased array transducer.
- 14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein at least one of said active matrix linear transducer and said phased array transducer comprises elevation focusing and beam steering capabilities.
- 15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein a radiation source emits a radiation beam through said compression paddle and said object of interest to a detector assembly to generate a first three-dimensional dataset, said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest to generate a second three-dimensional dataset.
- 16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein a computer combines said first three-dimensional dataset and said second three-dimensional dataset to generate a co-registered three-dimensional dataset representative of said object of interest.
- 17. A medical imaging system for generating an image of an object of interest, said medical imaging system comprising:
a detector array; at least one radiation source; a compression paddle; an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle; an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest; and a computer coupled to said detector array, said radiation source, and said ultrasound probe, and configured to:
acquire a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using said X-ray source and said detector; acquire a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using said ultrasound probe; and combine the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.
- 18. A medical imaging system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said computer further configured to physically co-register the first three-dimensional data set and the second three-dimensional data set during acquisition.
- 19. A medical imaging system in accordance with claim 17 wherein to combine the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image, said computer further configured to register the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset on a point by point basis.
- 20. A medical imaging system for generating an image of an object of interest, said medical imaging system comprising:
a detector array; at least one radiation source; a compression paddle; an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle; an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest; and a computer coupled to said detector array, said radiation source, and said ultrasound probe, and configured to:
acquire a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using said X-ray source and said detector; acquire a second three-dimensional dataset of the object co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset, at the first position, using said ultrasound probe; register the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset on a point by point basis; and combine the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.
- 21. A compression paddle comprising a plurality of composite layers, wherein said layers are sonolucent and radiolucent.
- 22. A compression paddle in accordance with claim 21 wherein said layers comprise at least one of a polycarbonate, a polymethylpentene, and a polystyrene, and combinations thereof.
- 23. A compression paddle in accordance with claim 21 wherein said layers comprise an ultrasonic attenuation less than approximately 3 dB at a plurality of ultrasound probe frequencies less than approximately 12 megahertz.
- 24. A compression paddle in accordance with claim 23 wherein said layers configured to optically transmit greater than approximately 80% of incident radiation.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
[0001] The government may have rights in this invention pursuant to Subcontract 22287 issued from the Office of Naval Research/Henry M. Jackson Foundation.