Optical Elastography Surface Motion Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer screening methods, such as mammography, involve radiation exposure and are invasive, uncomfortable, and costly, while optical elastography systems relying on fiducial markers are inefficient and costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for analyzing surface motion of body tissue using optical elastography without fiducial markers, employing a controller, cameras, and computational devices to capture and process images, estimate 3D surface models, and identify tissue surface motion abnormalities, reducing the need for markers and improving accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are used in optical elastography systems, then motion tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fiducial markers from the optical elastography system entirely. Instead of using external markers attached to the breast surface, the system extracts and utilizes natural surface features and texture patterns present on the breast skin itself for motion tracking and 3D reconstruction, thereby eliminating the complexity and cost associated with marker application and specialized camera systems
Solution Approach 2:
The breast surface itself serves as the tracking reference by utilizing its inherent texture, patterns, and surface characteristics. The system processes the breast's own visual features to enable motion tracking and elastography analysis, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external fiducial markers or specialized colored cameras
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used to capture small surface perturbations, then measurement precision is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the breast surface into multiple regions of interest and processes images from multiple standard-resolution cameras positioned at different angles. By segmenting the imaging task across multiple standard cameras rather than using a single high-resolution camera, the system achieves comprehensive surface coverage and maintains measurement precision while using more affordable standard camera equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from relying on a single high-resolution 2D image to using multiple standard-resolution 2D images captured from different spatial angles and time points. This multi-dimensional approach (multiple cameras, multiple time steps, multiple viewing angles) compensates for the lower resolution of individual cameras and collectively reconstructs detailed 3D surface motion information
3Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are applied to the breast surface, then image analysis accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and compliance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for applying fiducial markers to the breast surface. The system achieves accurate image analysis by processing natural breast surface features, skin texture, and anatomical patterns that are inherently present, thereby removing the uncomfortable and time-consuming marker application process while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
4Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used for 3D reconstruction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple standard-resolution cameras that serve dual purposes: capturing images for 3D surface reconstruction and providing reference views for motion tracking without requiring specialized equipment. Each camera contributes to both geometric reconstruction and texture-based motion analysis, making the system more versatile and less complex than dedicated specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sophisticated image processing and computational algorithms as intermediaries that fuse data from multiple standard cameras. These computational mediators perform 3D reconstruction, motion tracking, and elastography analysis by integrating information from multiple viewing angles, effectively managing the complexity of multi-camera systems through software-based coordination rather than complex hardware synchronization
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
Enables non-invasive, cost-effective, and radiation-free breast cancer screening by accurately reconstructing tissue surface motion without markers, enhancing compliance and scalability for early detection and reducing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
stimulating a body tissue of a subject by an actuator that vibrates the body tissue
Implementation Method 2
capturing a set of images of a surface of the stimulated tissue with a plurality of cameras distributed about the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an optical elastography system converts digital images of an actuated breast into a description of surface motion. The surface motion can subsequently be used to ascertain whether the breast has regions of abnormal stiffness, e.g., indicating a significant likelihood of breast cancer. The steps of the method use a model based segmentation to identify profile of the breast in each image, and for each pair of images computing skin surface motion using an optical flow algorithm. This method eliminates a preliminary step of placing fiducial markers on the subject.