Multi-Energy Image Reconstruction for Dense Breast Tissue Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques, such as mammography and CT scans, face challenges in distinguishing calcifications from mammary glands in high breast density tissues, leading to potential misdiagnosis and excessive radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for image reconstruction using electromagnetic waves at various photon energy levels, measuring intensity images before and after the object is placed in a measurement space, and calculating attenuation images based on provided data, including attenuation coefficients and substance thicknesses, to enhance image clarity and reduce radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT scan technique is applied to learn internal structure of human breasts, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the breast tissue into multiple components (mammary glands, calcifications, fat, etc.) and acquires images at multiple photon energy levels. By processing these multi-energy images, the system generates component-specific attenuation images that highlight different tissue types separately, improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing the need for high-radiation CT scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the photon energy level parameter during image acquisition. By capturing images at multiple distinct energy levels and processing them through attenuation coefficient calculations, the system can differentiate tissue components based on their energy-dependent attenuation characteristics, achieving high diagnostic accuracy with lower radiation doses.
2Reliability
If mammography is used to evaluate breast cancer, then diagnostic capability is improved, but image clarity deteriorates in high density breasts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments breast tissue into distinct components (mammary glands, calcifications, fat, etc.) by processing multi-energy X-ray images. This segmentation allows calcifications to be separated from overlapping mammary glands in the reconstructed images, significantly improving image clarity and diagnostic capability for high-density breasts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional projection imaging to three-dimensional volumetric reconstruction with component-specific attenuation maps. This dimensional enhancement allows radiologists to view calcifications and mammary glands in different spatial contexts and with different contrast settings, resolving the overlap problem in dense breast tissue.
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
This approach allows for precise reconstruction of images by distinguishing between different tissue components, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and minimizing radiation absorption, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy while mitigating radiation damage.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first intensity images of an electromagnetic wave passing through the measurement space and respectively corresponding to a plurality of photon energy levels are measured. When the object is placed in the measurement space, a plurality of second intensity images of the electromagnetic wave passing through the object and respectively corresponding to the photon energy levels are measured
Data Source
AI summary
A method of image reconstruction is provided. When an object is not placed in a measurement space, first intensity images of an electromagnetic wave passing through the measurement space and corresponding to photon energy levels are measured. When the object is placed in the measurement space, second intensity images of the electromagnetic wave passing through the object and corresponding to photon energy levels are measured. In a database, data including an attenuation coefficient of each substance respectively having components irradiated by the electromagnetic wave corresponding to each photon energy level and a thickness of each substance in a transmission direction of the electromagnetic wave corresponding to each photon energy level are provided. Attenuation images of the object respectively corresponding to the components are calculated according to the data and the first and second intensity images. An image reconstruction system and a method and system of image construction are also provided.