Contrast Agent Quantification From Dual-Energy Radiographic Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contrast-enhanced radiographic imaging methods struggle with accurate quantification of contrast agent content in normal and cancerous tissues due to image superposition, artefacts, and varying image quality, which can lead to false positives and negatives, particularly in breast cancer diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A system-agnostic method that uses low-energy and high-energy radiographic images to quantify contrast agent content, incorporating models of image formation physics and breast composition, while assessing image quality to correct for artefacts and optimize breast compression, without requiring system calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual inspection or UV light methods are used to detect contrast agent, then the detection process is simple, but the quantification precision is insufficient and cannot meet clinical requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and simple UV light methods with an automated optical detection system that uses a camera to capture images and software to quantify contrast agent presence. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision through digital image analysis and automated quantification algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device between the contrast agent and the observer. The camera captures optical information from the contrast agent under controlled lighting conditions and transfers this information to a computer system for precise quantification, bridging the gap between simple detection and precise measurement.
2Measurement precision
If quantitative analysis software is developed for each specific imaging device, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and development time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal quantification software system that can work with multiple different imaging devices and contrast agents through standardized image input protocols. The software performs automated background subtraction, thresholding, and quantification without requiring device-specific customization, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while reducing development complexity and enabling cross-device compatibility.
3Measurement precision
If fluorescent contrast agents are used to improve detection sensitivity, then the detection capability increases, but the risk of false positives from endogenous fluorophores also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of excitation light intensity and wavelength to differentiate between fluorescent contrast agents and endogenous fluorophores. By adjusting illumination parameters and analyzing temporal characteristics of fluorescence emission, the system dynamically adapts to distinguish true contrast agent signals from background biological fluorescence, thereby maintaining high sensitivity while reducing false positives.
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
Accurately quantifies contrast agent content in normal and cancerous tissues, identifies benign parenchymal enhancement, and assesses image quality, reducing false positives and negatives, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and confidence in clinical assessments.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for the quantification of contrast agent are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an image of a contrast agent in a body using a camera
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to contrast-enhanced radiographic imaging, the quantification of contrast agent in tissue and the assessment of the radiographic image quality. The invention provides a radiographic system-agnostic method to assess tissue administered with a radio-opaque contrast agent. The method is a system-agnostic means to accurately quantify contrast agent content in normal tissue and in cancerous tissue from contrast-enhanced radiographic images, and to assess and verify image quality and the efficacy of a clinical assessment from these images.