Compressive Sensing Absorber for Low-Dose 3D Breast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular breast imaging (MBI) and breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI) techniques face challenges due to higher effective radiation doses, longer image acquisition times, and limited capability for 3D imaging, which has hindered their widespread acceptance for breast cancer screening.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a compressive sensing absorber (CSA) system that uses a random pattern of gamma ray absorption and scattering to increase scanner efficiency, reduce image acquisition time, and enable ultra-low-dose, high-resolution 2D and 3D molecular breast imaging by collecting gamma rays from multiple angles with a stationary detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional collimators are used in MBI and BSGI, then image resolution is maintained, but scanner efficiency is low and image acquisition time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of gamma ray detection from directional selection (collimation) to statistical sampling (compressive sensing). By removing the collimator and using a compressive sensing absorber with random pattern, the system detects gamma rays from all directions and uses computational algorithms to reconstruct images, dramatically improving scanner efficiency and reducing acquisition time from minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical collimator system with a computational imaging approach. Instead of using physical collimators to mechanically select gamma ray directions, the system uses a compressive sensing absorber combined with reconstruction algorithms, substituting mechanical directional selection with statistical sampling and computational reconstruction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional MBI and BSGI techniques are used, then gamma radiation detection is achieved, but effective radiation dose is higher compared with mammography
Solution Approach 1:
The compressive sensing absorber uses partial absorption of gamma rays with a random pattern, where only a subset of gamma rays is absorbed and scattered. This partial action approach allows the system to collect sufficient statistical data for high-quality image reconstruction while requiring lower radiation doses compared to conventional techniques that rely on directional collimation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional imaging techniques are used, then 2D imaging is achieved, but 3D imaging capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compressive sensing imaging system provides multi-functionality by enabling both 2D and 3D imaging with the same hardware configuration. The random pattern absorber combined with computational reconstruction algorithms can generate images in multiple dimensions and projections, making the system adaptable to various imaging needs without requiring additional hardware 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
The CSA system significantly enhances scanner efficiency, decreases radiation dose, and allows for rapid, high-resolution imaging, potentially making MBI and BSGI more acceptable for breast cancer screening by reducing effective radiation dose and imaging time while maintaining or improving resolution across distances.
Implementation Method 1
a compressive sensing absorber (CSA) including a set of materials distributed in a medium to exhibit a random pattern of partial gamma ray absorption
Implementation Method 2
gamma ray emission from a breast traveling through the CSA is partially absorbed and is partially scattered by the random pattern
Implementation Method 3
a gamma imaging device positioned relative to the CSA to collect gamma rays from the output gamma ray radiation pattern produced by the CSA to convert the collected gamma rays of the breast gamma ray emission into imaging signals
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a breast imaging system including a compressive sensing absorber (CSA) including a set of materials distributed in a medium to exhibit a random pattern of partial gamma ray absorption over different positions of the set of materials such that gamma ray emission from a breast traveling through the CSA is partially absorbed and is partially scattered by the random pattern to produce an output gamma ray radiation pattern having gamma rays in a range of different directions, a gamma imaging device configured to collect gamma rays from the output gamma ray radiation pattern produced by the CSA to convert the collected gamma rays of the breast gamma ray emission from the breast into imaging signals representing an image of the breast, and an imaging processing device configured to reconstruct images in 2D or 3D based on a spatial distribution of the collected gamma rays from the breast.