Mammary Gland Density Calculation Using Narrow Region Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining mammary gland density in mammography images struggle to accurately assess the necessity of ultrasonography, especially when high-density mammary gland areas are present in narrow regions, leading to potential misdiagnosis due to unclear criteria and variability among interpreters.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that extracts the mammary gland area from mammography images using a probability calculator and post-processor, detecting mammary gland pixels and calculating density based on a ratio within a narrower area than the entire breast, incorporating additional data related to the nipple position and brightness distribution to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the mammary gland ratio is calculated by dividing the mammary gland area by the entire breast area, then the calculation is simple, but the density assessment is inaccurate when high-density areas are confined to narrow regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoiddensity assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breast area into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) based on anatomical landmarks and tissue characteristics. Instead of treating the entire breast as a single homogeneous area, the system divides it into distinct zones where mammary gland tissue is more likely to be present, allowing for more precise local density assessment while maintaining computational feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different density calculation methods to different regions of the breast. High-density areas are identified and assessed using localized metrics that consider the specific anatomical context, rather than applying a uniform calculation across the entire breast area. This allows for accurate density assessment in narrow high-density regions while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the mammary gland area is defined as the entire breast area, then the assessment covers all regions, but it fails to accurately reflect density in specific narrow high-density areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment coverage areaVSAvoidlocal density measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breast area into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) based on anatomical landmarks and tissue characteristics. Instead of treating the entire breast as a single homogeneous area, the system divides it into distinct zones where mammary gland tissue is more likely to be present, allowing for more precise local density assessment while maintaining computational feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the density assessment by defining multiple regions of interest at different locations within the breast. This allows the system to capture both the overall coverage (area) and the local density variations, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the assessment that resolves the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and local precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If clear criteria for high mammary gland density are established, then diagnostic consistency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes clear diagnostic criteria by defining specific parameter thresholds and calculation methods for assessing mammary gland density. Instead of relying on subjective interpretation, the system uses objective parameters such as the ratio of high-density pixel areas to total ROI area, with predetermined thresholds that trigger specific diagnostic recommendations. This standardization improves consistency while keeping the implementation relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated density assessment and diagnostic recommendation generation that reduces the need for complex manual analysis. The system automatically identifies regions of interest, calculates density metrics, compares them against predefined criteria, and generates diagnostic recommendations without requiring extensive manual intervention or complex decision-making algorithms, thereby achieving reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11810293B2Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2023.11.07 EIZO CORP
  • US11810293B2 patent drawing
  • US11810293B2 patent drawing
  • US11810293B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing device capable of appropriately determining a necessity of the ultrasonography even when a high-density mammary gland area exists in a narrow area. The present invention provides an information processing device comprising: a mammary gland area extractor configured to extract a mammary gland area in a mammography image; a mammary gland pixel detector configured to detect a mammary gland pixel in the mammary gland area; and a mammary gland density calculator configured to calculate a mammary gland density based on a ratio of the mammary gland pixels to the mammary gland area, wherein the mammary gland area is a narrower area than an entire breast in the mammography image.