Static Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Early Cancer Detection

by | Dec 15, 2020

The first VEC Imaging project, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy StMWI, is in support of Static Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for early cancer detection. With this funding we have been able to develop a multisource x-ray (MSX) tube based on VEC Imaging’s nanotube (NT) field emission technology, including the associated control and power electronics, for a stationary breast tomosynthesis (s-DBT) application.

The proposed MSX tube based on NT field emitters, has been designed and prototype tubes have been successfully manufactured. Performance testing demonstrates our NT based MSX tube is perfectly suited for optimal focal spot size, sufficient imaging dose, and excellent stability (operating lifetime). A collaborative robotic-arm based s-DBT system has been built and 3D tomosynthesis images of an ACR breast phantom have been generated, all of which show great promise for our new technology.

VEC Imaging NT based MSX tube prototype

VEC Imaging NT based MSX tube prototype

Robotic arm system

Breast phantom image