DBT Slice Image Correction for Out-of-Plane Artifact Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) devices suffer from reduced resolution and out-of-plane artifacts due to limited angular range acquisition, leading to a large number of slice images that increase diagnostic burden and storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for image processing that generates corrected slice images by identifying and correcting out-of-plane artifacts using multiple projection images, employing back-projection algorithms, filtering operations, and generating minimum and maximum intensity projections to simplify image correction and improve efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a small slice interval is set during slice image reconstruction to avoid missing lesions, then the likelihood of finding a lesion is improved, but the number of generated slice images increases significantly, increasing diagnostic burden and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes out-of-plane artifacts from slice images using a correction algorithm that identifies and eliminates artifacts originating from structures outside the imaging plane. This allows for larger slice intervals without missing lesions, as the artifact removal enhances image clarity and lesion detectability even at lower sampling densities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the slice interval parameter from small to large values, combined with applying artifact correction processing. This parameter change reduces the number of generated images while the correction algorithm compensates for potential information loss, maintaining diagnostic accuracy with fewer images.
2Loss of time
If multiple projection images are acquired from limited angular ranges in DBT devices, then the acquisition time is reduced, but out-of-plane artifacts and reduced resolution occur in reconstructed images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful out-of-plane artifacts caused by limited angular range acquisition into beneficial diagnostic information. The artifact correction algorithm specifically targets and removes these artifacts while preserving and enhancing true lesion signals, effectively transforming the limitation of fast acquisition into a manageable characteristic that can be corrected computationally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary preprocessing operations to projection images before reconstruction, including artifact modeling and correction. By preparing the data in advance with correction algorithms, the system can achieve high-resolution images from limited angular ranges without the detrimental effects of out-of-plane artifacts.
3Reliability
If a large number of slice images are generated to ensure complete lesion coverage, then the diagnostic completeness is improved, but the workload for users to review images and storage burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple slice images into a composite image that integrates information from all slices while removing out-of-plane artifacts. This consolidation maintains diagnostic completeness by preserving all relevant lesion information while presenting it in a single, easier-to-review format, significantly reducing user workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic information from multiple slice images by removing redundant out-of-plane artifacts and consolidating lesion data. This extraction process creates a streamlined set of images or composite views that maintain complete lesion coverage information while reducing the total number of images users must review.
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 system reduces out-of-plane artifacts and simplifies image processing, preserving lesion and tissue information, thereby reducing the number of images needed for diagnosis and optimizing storage and processing time.
Implementation Method 1
obtain multiple projection images of a subject acquired by an imaging device from multiple view angles
Implementation Method 2
generate an initial slice image of the subject by image reconstruction based on the multiple projection images
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system and method for image processing. The method may include obtaining multiple projection images of a subject acquired by an imaging device from multiple view angles; generating an initial slice image of the subject by image reconstruction based on the multiple projection images; determining, based on the multiple projection images, a target out-of-plane artifact of the initial slice image; and generating a corrected slice image by correcting the initial slice image with respect to the target out-of-plane artifact.