Breast Lesion Property Estimation Across Compression States

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to consider the difference in properties of lesions during compression and non-compression, preventing effective processing using these differences.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and system that estimate and process the properties of lesions during non-compression based on measurements taken during compression, using a processor to analyze size, deformation, and rigidity changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If compression is applied to the breast during imaging, then measurement precision of lesion properties is improved, but the lesion properties change due to compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion measurement precisionVSAvoidlesion property stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the compression parameter by acquiring images at multiple different compression levels (first compression level and second compression level different from the first). This allows measurement of lesion properties under varying conditions to estimate the uncompressed state properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary measurements of lesion properties at multiple compression levels before estimating the final uncompressed properties. By collecting data at different compression states first, the system can then calculate the original lesion characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If compression force is increased to improve lesion visibility, then detection accuracy is improved, but tissue deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion detection accuracyVSAvoidtissue shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system varies the compression parameter across multiple acquisition stages, taking images at different compression levels including a first compression level and a second compression level different from the first. This multi-parameter approach allows differentiation between compression-induced deformation and actual lesion characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accurate processing and classification of lesions by accounting for property changes due to compression, improving differential determination and lesion registration.

Implementation Method 1

a state in which a breast is compressed by a compression member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

capturing of a radiation image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 3

capturing of an ultrasound image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS12558042B2Information processing apparatus, image generation system, and program

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A console includes an estimation unit that estimates, in a case where capturing of a radiation image and an ultrasound image is performed for a breast in a state of being compressed by a compression member, a property related to a lesion of the breast during non-compression by the compression member, based on a measurement result for the lesion in the state in which the breast is compressed by the compression member.