Dual-Energy Mammography Image Recombination Background Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-energy mammography techniques face challenges in producing uniform recombined images due to nonuniformities in the background area caused by variations in breast thickness and scattering components, leading to interpretation errors and difficulties in visualizing the outer edge of the breast.

Innovation Solution

A method for processing radiological images that involves generating a recombined image from low and high energy images, followed by compensation to eliminate nonuniformities in the background, using pixel-by-pixel addition or multiplication with a compensation image, and applying filters to separate low-frequency components from higher-frequency lesion areas, resulting in a uniform grey level background and improved visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dual-energy mammography is used to acquire low and high energy images for recombination, then contrast medium visualization is improved, but nonuniformities appear in the background area of the recombined image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast medium visualizationVSAvoidbackground uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the recombined image into different regions: a first area containing the contrast medium and a second area representing the background. By applying different processing operations to these segmented regions, the method can enhance contrast medium visualization while separately correcting background nonuniformities, thus resolving the technical contradiction between improved visualization and background uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If breast compression is applied to achieve constant thickness, then image acquisition is simplified, but nonuniformities due to scattering variations still appear in the recombined image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage acquisition simplicityVSAvoidbackground uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the scattering component from the recombined image by comparing the first and second recombined images. This extraction process isolates the nonuniformities caused by scattering variations, allowing them to be corrected without affecting the simplicity of the acquisition process or the quality of the contrast medium visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If logarithmic subtraction is used for recombination, then contrast medium areas are highlighted, but grey level nonuniformities are introduced in the background

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast medium detectionVSAvoidbackground grey level uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a compensation image that is specifically designed to correct background nonuniformities only in the second area (background region). The compensation operation is applied selectively to preserve the contrast medium highlighting achieved by logarithmic subtraction while restoring background grey level uniformity, thus addressing both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method produces a recombined image with reduced nonuniformities, enhancing visual quality, enabling better detection of lesions and quantification of the contrast medium distribution.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the region of the body to radiation (X-rays) having different spectra or ranges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray emission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

the contrast medium does indeed have a K jump in energy (referenced as 20) corresponding to a sudden increase in the photon attenuation coefficient which occurs when the photon energy is equal to the electron bonding energy of the K layer of the contrast medium atoms interacting with the photons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

variations in the scattering component of the tissues in proximity to the outer edge of the breast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompton scattering: Compton Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS8165379B2Method of processing radiological images, and, in particular, mammographic images

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A method of processing a radiological image of an organ. The method may comprise generating a recombined image (R) from at least one previously acquired low energy image (L) and one high energy image (H) of a portion of the organ. The recombined image comprises a background and one or more areas corresponding to the presence of a contrast medium in the organ. The method may further comprise correcting the recombined image (R) by compensating (C) for the nonuniformities present in the background to obtain a compensated recombined image in which the background has a substantially uniform grey level.