Automated Mammography Image Classification and Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for displaying mammography images are inefficient, inconvenient, and time-consuming due to the manual suspension and comparison of multiple images on light boxes, which limits diagnostic efficiency and is not easily scalable.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method for displaying mammography images that involves inputting image identification, automatically selecting and applying displaying rules for classification and arrangement, and adapting settings to display images on a monitor, utilizing a host system connected to a user interface and a server for efficient image management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual suspension of mammography images on light boxes is used, then images can be displayed and compared, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces diagnostic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual suspension system with a computer-based automated display system. The host automatically retrieves mammography images from the server, classifies them according to examining regions and types, and displays them on a monitor without manual intervention, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual handling process while maintaining image comparability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically classifying and arranging images based on their headers containing examining region and type information. The host autonomously selects appropriate displaying rules and organizes images without requiring manual classification, thus improving diagnostic efficiency while reducing time loss
2Quantity of substance
If multiple light boxes are used to display parallel mammography images, then more images can be viewed simultaneously, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple light boxes into a single computer monitor display system. The host retrieves multiple mammography images from the server and displays them simultaneously on the monitor using automated classification and arrangement, achieving the same capacity to view multiple images without the complexity and cost of multiple physical light boxes
Solution Approach 2:
The computer-based display system serves multiple functions: it can display any number of mammography images simultaneously, automatically classify them by examining region and type, and adaptively arrange them according to different displaying rules. This universal system replaces the specialized function of individual light boxes with a single multi-functional device
3Ease of operation
If manual classification and suspension of mammography images is performed, then images can be organized by examining region and type, but the process is inconvenient and difficult to scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual classification operations with automated computer-based processing. The host reads image headers containing examining region and type information, automatically classifies images according to these attributes, and arranges them using pre-configured displaying rules. This substitution makes the system both more convenient to operate and easily scalable without additional manual effort
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically extracting classification information from image headers and organizing images without human intervention. The host autonomously selects appropriate displaying rules based on image attributes and arranges images accordingly, making the classification process both convenient and highly scalable
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for displaying mammography images, an identification of the mammography images is first inputted via a user interface of a computer system. A host is employed to receive the identification for activating the mammography images and reading a header of the mammography images. The host reads a plurality of displaying rules previously configured for comparing with the header of the mammography images. The host then automatically selects one of the plurality of displaying rules that is best conformed to the header of the mammography images. The host automatically classifies the mammography images according to the selected one displaying rule. Finally, a monitor displays the classified mammography images.