An Experimental Comparison of Continuous Motion and Step-and-Shoot Modes in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

Abstract

There are two basic tomosynthesis data acquisition modes: step-and-shoot. Most experimental research on tomosynthesis has been done using commercial breast tomosynthesis systems, which can operate in only a single mode, either step-and-shoot or continuous motion. Thus the only studies that have been done to compare these two imaging modes for otherwise identical systems have been simulation studies. In this paper we describe a versatile, bench-top 3D breast imaging system that can acquire tomosynthesis data using either mode. Preliminary experimental studies of in-plane blur and artifact propagation using different acquisition protocols are discussed. Our initial results indicate that, noticeable difference was observed in system MTF from projection views between step-and-shoot mode and continuous motion mode while there was little difference in other measures from reconstruction slices. This system provides great flexibility for studying breast imaging and image quality under different acquisition protocols.