Personalized Breast Imaging With Adaptive Compression Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging processes for breasts, such as mammography and tomosynthesis, fail to account for individual patient attributes like size, shape, elasticity, and density, leading to discomfort, pain, and suboptimal imaging quality due to excessive compression and variable radiation doses.
Innovation Solution
Collecting and utilizing personalized physical attributes of a patient's breast, such as size, thickness, shape, elasticity, and density, to customize image acquisition and compression parameters, optimizing radiation dose and reducing discomfort through personalized breast imaging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sufficient compression is applied to the breast to allow imaging X-rays to penetrate through all tissues, then image quality is improved, but patient discomfort and pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts compression parameters based on real-time measurement of breast attributes (size, shape, elasticity, density) to find the optimal compression level that achieves sufficient tissue penetration for imaging while minimizing patient discomfort. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by making compression intensity data-driven rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time measurement of breast attributes during compression and uses this feedback to customize imaging parameters. The measured attributes (size, shape, elasticity, density) provide continuous feedback that allows the system to adjust compression and imaging parameters to maintain optimal balance between image quality and patient comfort.
2Length of stationary object
If compression is increased to enable ultrasound beam to reach deeper tissue, then imaging depth is improved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses measured breast attributes (size, shape, elasticity, density) to dynamically calculate and adjust compression parameters, allowing the ultrasound beam to penetrate deeper tissue effectively while applying only the necessary compression force, thereby reducing patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies compression and imaging parameters tailored to the specific local characteristics of each patient's breast rather than using uniform settings. By customizing parameters based on measured attributes, the system achieves adequate imaging depth for each individual while minimizing overall compression-related discomfort.
3Device complexity
If standardized imaging parameters are used for all patients, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically measures breast attributes (size, shape, elasticity, density) and self-adjusts imaging and compression parameters without requiring manual input or complex user configuration. This self-service approach maintains relatively simple device operation while achieving highly customized, optimal imaging results for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of breast attributes before imaging and uses these pre-collected data to pre-configure optimal compression and imaging parameters. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during imaging, maintaining device simplicity while achieving personalized optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for personalized breast imaging. In aspects, a first set of patient attributes may be collected. The first set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast size, breast thickness, and/or three-dimensional (3D) breast shape. The first set of patient attributes may be used to customize image acquisition parameters for the patient. A second set of patient attributes may also be collected. The second set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast elasticity and breast density. The second set of patient attributes may be used to customize breast compression parameters for the patient. The customized image acquisition parameters and breast compression parameters may then be used to perform one or more procedures (e.g., an imaging procedure, a biopsy procedure, etc.) on the patient's breast.