# A 2D Stationary X-ray Source System for Improved Breast Tomosynthesis Imaging

> **NIH NIH R01** · SRI INTERNATIONAL · 2022 · $88,728

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This grant application proposes to use the unique stationary Multi-X-ray-source Array (MXA) technology
developed and applied to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) under our current R01 to: 1) significantly improve
DBT image quality by extending the MXA technology to produce a clinically practical two-dimensional (2D) MXA
and 2) demonstrate a capable and fully characterized 2D MXA DBT system to use for clinical trials under a
follow-on R01 Academic–Industrial Partnership program.
By the time the first film-based commercial tomosynthesis systems were developed in the 1970s, it was
realized that 2D motion of the X-ray source significantly improved image quality relative to 1D motion due to
better blurring of the shadows of structures both above and below the plane of interest. All existing commercial
DBT systems use 1D motion because 2D mechanical motion is complicated and expensive and would significantly
increase scan times which are already too long at 4 to 25 s with the 1D motion-based systems. Compare this to
mammography, where it is preferred to keep scan times under 2 s to minimize patient-motion artifacts.
Extending MXA technology to make 2D breast tomosynthesis practical – by meeting scan time constraints –
will provide superior performance compared with all commercial breast tomosynthesis systems on the market
today, while at the same time decreasing system size and cost. The net result would be a significant increase
in the capability of DBT systems and a broadening of their availability to bring better care to more people
sooner.
The Specific Aims of this application are:
Aim 1. Use modeling and experiments to design the 2D MXA-DBT prototype system
Aim 2. Build 2D MXA DBT prototype system
Aim 3. Evaluate performance of 2D MXA DBT prototype system

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10364342
- **Project number:** 2R01CA214515-05A1
- **Recipient organization:** SRI INTERNATIONAL
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL R SCHWOEBEL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $88,728
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-03-15 → 2022-08-19

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10364342

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10364342, A 2D Stationary X-ray Source System for Improved Breast Tomosynthesis Imaging (2R01CA214515-05A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10364342. Licensed CC0.

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