TOMOSYNTHESIS: A Three-Dimensional Radiographic Imaging Technique

A three-dimensional radiographic imaging system has been developed, and is presently being clinically evaluated. Twenty conventional radiographs are reduced and reprojected into a display volume according to a geometry which matches the X-ray source geometry. The images are integrated on a viewing screen and produce the tomographic plane corresponding to the screen's position. Planes parallel and tilted with respect to the scanning plane can be observed by simply adjusting the screen. The image is continuous in all directions, possesses a resolution of about 2lp/mm, and is usually true-sized, although factors of 2 or 3 in magnification can be easily produced.