43 results about "Digital mammography" patented technology

A method and apparatus are disclosed for an image preprocessing device that automatically detects chestwall laterality; removes border artifacts; and segments breast tissue and pectoral muscle from digital mammograms. The algorithms in the preprocessing device utilize the computer cache, a vertical Sobel filter and a probabilistic Hough transform to detect curved edges. The preprocessing result, along with a pseudo-modality normalized image, can be used as input to a CAD (computer-aided detection) server or to a mammography image review workstation. In the case of workstation input, the preprocessing results improve the protocol for chestwall-to-chestwall image hanging, and support optimal image contrast display of each segmented region.

There is provided a method of analyzing a plurality of views of an object, the object including an edge portion partially extending from a surface of the object into an internal volume of the object, comprising the step of analyzing each acquired view. The step of analyzing each acquired view includes analysis of the edge portion. Preferably, the object comprises breast tissue.

A method for computer-aided detection of microcalcification clusters obtains digital mammography data for a single view image and normalizes and filters the image data to reduce noise. A first mask is generated and applied to the image data for defining the breast structure, forming a first cropped image. A second mask is generated and applied to the image data for defining muscle structure, forming a second cropped image. An artifact mask corresponding to vascular calcifications and known imaging artifacts is generated and applied to the first and second cropped images, defining first and second artifact-masked cropped images. In a repeated sequence, portions of each artifact-masked cropped image are processed using an enhancement algorithm and reducing edge effects to obtain a set of microcalcification cluster candidates and suspected microcalcification clusters. Image processing algorithms remove false positives from the listing of microcalcification clusters and classify candidate microcalcification clusters to identify true positives.

A basic component of Computer-Aided Detection systems for digital mammography comprises generating candidate mass locations suitable for further analysis. A component is described that relies on filtering either the background image or the complementary foreground mammographic detail by a purely signal processing method on the one hand or a processing method based on a physical model on the other hand. The different steps of the signal processing approach consist of band-pass filtering the image by one or more band pass filters, multidimensional clustering, iso-contouring of the distance to centroid of the one or more filtered values, and finally candidate generation and segmentation by contour processing. The physics-based approach also filters the image to retrieve a fat-corrected image to model the background of the breast, and the resulting image is subjected to a blob detection filter to model the intensity bumps on the foreground component of the breast that are associated with mass candidates.

A digital radiography (20) detector has a first housing (18) having substantially the form factor of a film cassette and having a chest wall edge (C). The first housing (18) has an X-ray converter (70) with a detection array (26), each detector generating a signal according to an amount of radiation received. Readout electronics (74) are coupled with switching elements in the detection array for obtaining the signals therefrom. The readout electronics (74) include elements formed from crystalline silicon and are distributed toward outer edges of the first housing (18) and away from the chest wall edge (C). X-ray shielding selectively protects the readout electronics (74) and is located beneath a portion of the detection array. A second housing (40), electrically connected to the first housing (18) has a power source for the detector, readout and control electronics for obtaining signals provided from the detection array (26).

A distributed architecture allows for decoupling of mammographic image acquisition and review, thereby enabling more efficient use of resources and enhanced processing. In one embodiment, the system (100) includes a number of image acquisition stations (102) and a number of image review stations (110) all associated with a central server (104). The server (104) is operative to access an image repository (106), a patient information data base (108) and a number of DICOM tools (112). The invention allows for more efficient and/or more convenient use of the image acquisition equipment and image processing stations. Moreover, the distributed architecture including the central image repository provides certain processing and analysis advantages. The invention also provides certain processing and workflow enhancements that allow for a more full realization of potential digital mammography advantages.

The invention presents a way to automatically assess the quality of acquired (S1, S2) digital mammographic images with respect to the image positioning of a patient's breast. The automated digital quality assessment (S3) is executed in real time and preferably notifies (S4) the technologist instantly if the image positioning quality of a mammographic image is inadequate. This makes it possible to retake the image while the patient is still present at the examination facility. The quality assessment notification includes information to the technologist, preferably both visually and statistically of land-mark positioning measurements. Alternatively, the digital quality assessment is accompanied by a computerized decision of whether the mammogram needs to be retaken, requiring a minimum of involvement, if at all, from the technologist. The invention hence provides a set of quality-assured mammographic images that can be stored (S5) and later accessed by a radiologist for review and diagnosis (S6).

A peripheral equalization (PE) method and apparatus for compensating for thickness reduction in outer edges of the breast in a mammogram (i.e. a two-dimensional image) while keeping the central area substantially unchanged. The PE method and apparatus can also be applied to three dimensional (tomosynthesis) images of a breast. The peripheral equalization is achieved by segmenting the image of the breast into at least two regions and using a multi-threshold technique to process the data in at least one of the two regions.

A unique digital imaging device includes the digital imager, a mammography machine including the digital imager, a method for processing the digital image obtained by the digital imager, a local area network (LAN) comprising a number of mammography machines and one or more work stations, and a wide area network (WAN) for transmitting digital images to remote locations. The digital imager according to the present invention comprises a large area, single exposure digital imaging device is provided that allows a number of electronic imagers to be butted together to form an array of electronic imagers large enough to image an entire breast in a single exposure. A preferred embodiment of the digital imager comprises an optical system, such as fiber optic bundles, optically coupled with the surface of the electronic imager. The optical systems may have a surface larger than the electronic sensors, and may be butted together to provide a gap-free imaging surface.

The invention discloses a method, a system, a device, and a medium for calculating the average gland dose of a mammography system. The method comprises the steps of: introducing an incident dose lookup table and an air kerma lookup table; obtaining an exposure voltage value KV, a current time product mAs, a gland compression thickness Thinkness, and a distance SID from a flat panel detector to a radiation source; searching a corresponding incident dose value EntranceDose and a corresponding air kerma value HVL from the incident dose lookup table and the air kerma lookup table; determining a dose conversion factor g and a correction factor c of the gland component; determining a correction factor s of the filtered combination; calculating the average gland dose AGD. According to the method,the system, the device, and the medium for calculating the average gland dose of a mammography system, the incident dose value and the air kerma value can be obtained quickly through the lookup tables, and the average gland dose value can be calculated according to the dose conversion factor, the correction factor of the gland component, and the correction factor of the filtered combination, so that the method, the system, the device, and the medium have the characteristics of rapid calculation, can ensure that the total average dosage does not exceed the guidance level, and is suitable for aconventional digital mammography system.

A method for identifying a type of a mammographic view for a digital mammography image. The method comprises the steps of: identifying two or more candidate view types; identifying at least one feature capable of distinguishing between the two or more candidate view types; determining the feature for the digital mammography image; and corresponding the determined feature of the digital mammography image with one of the two or more candidate view types to identify the type of a mammographic view of the digital mammography image in accordance with the correspondence.

An iterative method for segmentation of an object appearing in a digital image, where the object is defined by a difference in intensity from its immediate surrounding region. The method may also be used for segmenting tissue masses found in a digital image, including masses found in digital mammography.