Breast Thickness Measurement Using Tomographic Marker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast thickness measurement technologies face challenges in accurately measuring the thickness of a breast in a compressed state due to distorted shapes and local variations, leading to increased measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A breast thickness measuring device and method that utilize a first marker on the compression plate and a second marker on the support table, with a radiation source applying radiation from multiple angles to generate tomographic images, allowing for accurate calculation of breast thickness using a marker detector, selector, and calculator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the compression plate compresses the breast at the distal end portion while measuring thickness at the proximal end portion, then the breast can be compressed for imaging, but measurement errors increase due to distorted shape and local variations
Solution Approach 1:
A marker is introduced as an intermediary element attached to the compression plate. This marker serves as a reference point that allows indirect measurement of the compression plate's position relative to the breast, eliminating the need to directly measure at the distorted proximal end portion and thereby reducing measurement errors
Solution Approach 2:
The marker on the compression plate creates a reference copy of the compression plate's position. By detecting the marker's position rather than directly measuring the compression plate itself, the system obtains an accurate representation of the compression state without being affected by the distorted breast shape
2Device complexity
If the position detecting sensor is placed on the proximal end portion of the compression plate spaced from the chest wall, then the device structure is simplified, but measurement errors increase due to distance from the compressed breast
Solution Approach 1:
The marker acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the compression plate and the detection system. By attaching the marker to the compression plate and detecting its position through tomographic imaging, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring the sensor to be in direct contact with or extremely close to the compressed breast
3Measurement precision
If radiation tomography is performed to capture marker positions, then accurate thickness measurement is achieved, but the device complexity and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation tomography system serves multiple functions: it captures both the breast tissue for diagnostic imaging and the marker positions for thickness measurement simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows accurate thickness measurement without requiring separate dedicated measurement equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise measurement of breast thickness in a compressed state by selecting focused tomographic images of the markers, reducing errors associated with slice intervals and slicing methods, and providing accurate radiation dose calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source configured to apply radiation from a plurality of different angles to the breast, which has been compressed, a radiation detector configured to generate a plurality of image data based on the radiation that has been transmitted through the breast
Implementation Method 2
a reconstruction processor configured to reconstruct the image data in order to generate a plurality of tomographic images
Data Source
AI summary
In this breast thickness measurement device and breast thickness measurement method, radiation is radiated from a plurality of different angles to a breast that is in a compressed state, a plurality of image data are generated by means of a radiation detector, and a plurality of tomographic images are generated by reconfiguring on the basis of each image datum after same has been generated. In each tomographic image, the thickness of the compressed breast is calculated on the basis of a tomographic image in which the focal point matches a first marker and a tomographic image in which the focal point matches a second marker.