Konica CR mammography system magnifies edge effects

A new phase-contrast CR mammography system that magnifies edge effects from x-ray refraction is sharpening contrast at the edges of the breast. The system, unveiled today at the RSNA meeting, also enhances the visualization of microcalcifications and fibrils within the breast, according to representatives from Konica Minolta.

The Regius PureView Mammography System combines phase-contrast mammography technology with computed radiography to produce digital mammography images with the same resolution as screen-film images.

The device uses a molybdenum x-ray tube with a 100-micron focal spot. The system also selects the optimal combination of x-ray focal spot size, the distance between the x-ray source and the breast, the distance between the x-ray source and the detector, and the sampling pitch of the CR reader, which scans images at 43.75 micrometers to produce a resolution of 20 line pair per millimeter.

The CR mammography system, which was introduced 10 months ago in Japan, is being tested in clinical trials prior to submission to the FDA for approval.