Breast ROI Coordinate Mapping Across X-Ray and Ultrasound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians and radiologists face difficulty in correlating lesions identified in x-ray imaging with ultrasound imaging due to differences in breast position and tissue compression during these procedures, making it challenging to navigate to the same region of interest.
Innovation Solution
A computing system applies a tissue deformation model to translate compressed location coordinates from x-ray imaging to predicted uncompressed coordinates for ultrasound imaging, using a mathematical model based on breast density and volume to guide navigation to the same region of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If x-ray imaging is performed with breast compression to improve image quality and lesion detection, then measurement precision of lesion location is improved, but the breast tissue deformation makes it difficult to correlate with ultrasound images taken without compression
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing breast surface geometry data during the compressed x-ray imaging phase, before the decompression occurs. This preliminary capture of spatial information allows the system to later map lesion coordinates from the compressed state to the uncompressed state by comparing with post-decompression surface geometry, thereby resolving the coordinate correlation problem between different imaging modalities.
2Reliability
If breast tissue is compressed during mammography to improve lesion visibility, then image quality is improved, but the position of lesions changes relative to the uncompressed breast, making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the breast surface geometry in both compressed and uncompressed states. By capturing 3D surface data at both phases and storing these as digital representations, the system can computationally map between the two states, preserving spatial position information despite the physical deformation caused by compression.
3Ease of operation
If ultrasound imaging is performed without breast compression to improve patient comfort and tissue natural state, then ease of operation is improved, but correlation with compressed x-ray images becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the breast surface geometry caused by decompression. By measuring and comparing geometric parameters (surface contours, distances, angles) between compressed and uncompressed states, the system dynamically calculates transformation parameters that enable accurate coordinate mapping, thus maintaining measurement precision despite the change in compression state.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of identifying a location of a region of interest within a breast utilizes compressed location coordinates for the region of interest recorded while the breast is under compression during an x-ray imaging procedure such as mammography or tomosynthesis. The compressed location coordinates are converted to uncompressed location coordinates using a mathematical tissue deformation model. The volume and density of the breast affects how the coordinates are translated for use with an ultrasound imaging system. A system including a computing system in communication with an ultrasound imaging system is utilized to perform the method. The resultant predicted location coordinates of the region of interest are used to guide a healthcare provider to potential lesions that are to be examined using ultrasound, where the potential lesions had been previously identified during a screening mammogram.