Multi-segment Slant Hole Collimator for MBI Tumor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer screening methods, such as mammography, are less effective in women with dense breast tissue, leading to reduced sensitivity and increased false positive rates, particularly in young women with high genetic risk, and existing nuclear medicine technologies like MBI struggle with accurate co-registration of anatomical and functional images for guided biopsies.
Innovation Solution
A molecular breast imaging (MBI) system with a collimator frame containing repositionable collimating sections and a gantry system that supports two detector heads, allowing for real-time image guidance and biopsy procedures, enabling accurate spatial localization of lesions and reducing the risk of false positives by providing functional and anatomical imaging simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mammography is used for breast cancer screening, then it provides anatomical imaging, but sensitivity decreases with increasing mammographic density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mammography with molecular breast imaging (MBI) to create a hybrid screening approach. The MBI component uses radiotracer-guided detection to identify functional abnormalities that are not visible on mammography, thereby complementing the anatomical imaging and improving overall detection sensitivity in dense breast tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasound as an intermediary modality between mammography and biopsy. Ultrasound provides real-time anatomical imaging that can guide biopsy procedures, helping to distinguish between true positives and false positives while improving the accuracy of tissue sampling.
2Reliability
If ultrasound is used for breast cancer screening, then it uncovers more cancer occurrences, but it substantially increases false positive rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where MBI functional imaging and ultrasound anatomical imaging are used to guide and verify biopsy procedures. This feedback loop allows real-time adjustment of biopsy targeting, ensuring that only areas with confirmed abnormalities are sampled, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining high detection rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging system that integrates MBI for functional detection, ultrasound for anatomical visualization, and gamma camera guidance for biopsy. This universal approach allows a single system to perform multiple functions (screening, characterization, and guidance) thereby improving overall reliability while reducing false positives through comprehensive data evaluation.
3Loss of information
If MBI is used for breast imaging, then it provides functional information, but accurate co-registration of anatomical and functional images is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasound as an intermediary modality that provides real-time anatomical imaging with precise spatial information. By co-registering MBI functional images with ultrasound anatomical images, the system achieves accurate spatial localization while preserving functional information, enabling precise biopsy guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic imaging techniques where the gamma camera and ultrasound system can move and reposition during the procedure. This dynamic capability allows real-time adjustment and co-registration of functional and anatomical images, improving spatial accuracy while maintaining functional information for guided biopsies.
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 MBI system enhances breast cancer detection sensitivity and reduces false positives by providing real-time, accurate anatomical and functional imaging, facilitating precise biopsy guidance and improving breast cancer detection in dense breast tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator configured to deliver gamma-rays from a region of interest (ROI) of the breast tissue in a gamma-ray pattern
Implementation Method 2
radiation emitted by a single-photon radiopharmaceuticals, such as Tc-99m sestamibi, is detected after collimation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) provides enhanced tumor analysis and, optionally, a real-time biopsy guidance. The system includes a detector head including a gamma ray detector and a multisegment collimator in a collimator frame. The collimator contains multiple collimation sections that have respectively different collimating characteristic and that are individually repositionable with respect to the detector. An image of the tissue acquired with the system may include spatially separate image portions containing image information about the same portion of the imaged tissue. A system of mounting the multisegment collimator in the detector head includes a collimator tray that is laterally moveable within the frame and/or slidable in and out of the frame.