Navigation Map for 2D-3D Breast Imaging Co-registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for navigating between 2D and 3D imaging modalities in breast imaging, such as mammography and ultrasound, face challenges due to differences in patient positioning and compression, leading to difficulties in accurately correlating regions of interest across images, which increases analysis time and the risk of false positives.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a navigation map to correlate 2D image data from tomosynthesis with 3D ultrasound volumes, allowing for simultaneous display and improved co-registration of X-ray and ultrasound images, enabling precise location of regions of interest across modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate 2D mammography and 3D ultrasound imaging are performed at different visits with different positioning, then each modality can be optimized independently, but it becomes very difficult to co-register the images and locate corresponding regions of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 2D mammography and 3D ultrasound imaging into a single integrated system that performs both modalities during the same patient visit. The imaging system includes both an x-ray tube assembly and an ultrasound transducer array that can simultaneously or sequentially acquire images of the breast tissue, eliminating the need for separate visits and different positioning setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a navigation map as an intermediary tool that visually correlates regions of interest between the 2D mammography image and the 3D ultrasound volume. The navigation map displays a 2D projection of the ultrasound volume overlaid with the mammography image, allowing radiologists to easily locate corresponding regions across modalities without manual coordinate transformation.
2Productivity
If radiologists manually locate corresponding regions between 2D and 3D images using distance measurements and clock face positions, then no additional imaging equipment is needed, but the analysis time increases and errors are prone to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical method of locating regions (using distance measurements and clock face positions) with an automated computational system. The system automatically generates the navigation map and provides visual guidance to radiologists, eliminating manual measurement errors and significantly reducing the time required to locate corresponding regions between modalities.
3Reliability
If follow-up ultrasound or MRI exams are scheduled separately after 2D mammography, then each exam can be performed with optimal positioning, but patient anxiety increases and the delay of days or weeks occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the ultrasound examination as a preliminary action during the same visit as the 2D mammography, rather than scheduling it as a separate follow-up exam. This allows for immediate comparison and correlation of findings between modalities, reducing patient anxiety and eliminating the delay of days or weeks between exams while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
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 reduces the time required for analysis, enhances the accuracy of image navigation, and decreases the number of false positives by facilitating faster and more precise identification of regions of interest across different imaging modalities.
Implementation Method 1
digital breast tomosynthesis using digital receptors has been developed... at least one x-ray tube, which is moved, e.g., in an arc, above a stationary detector
Implementation Method 2
a follow-up visit is scheduled for an ultrasound exam or MRI of the breast... automated breast ultrasound system (ABUS)
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for the detection of ROIs in images obtained of a breast or other tissue of a patient significantly improves the speed and precision/accuracy of navigation between multimodality 2D and 3D images. In the system and method, images of the tissue are obtained in a DBT acquisition to generate a synthetic 2D image of the imaged tissue and in a 3D, e.g., ultrasound, image acquisition. The 2D image generation process creates a synthetic 2D image that embed a navigation map correlating pixels in the 2D images to sections of the 3D ultrasound volume, such as via a registration between the 3D ultrasound volume and a 3D volume created using the DBT image data. When a synthetic 2D image is reviewed, an ROI on the 2D image is selected and the system will additionally present the user with the section of the 3D volume containing that ROI.