Specimen Image Alignment for Breast Cancer Margin Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for ensuring complete dissection of cancerous tissue during breast surgery, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), are error-prone and time-consuming due to reliance on x-ray imaging and lack of effective haptic feedback, particularly in determining the need for additional tissue resection under time pressure.
Innovation Solution
A system that aligns specimen images with body images using a border detector, analyzer, and deformation models to accurately identify and visualize the dissected tissue margins, allowing for precise determination of cancer-free margins and necessary resection areas, incorporating markers and anatomical structures for orientation and deformation modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the surgeon manually examines the dissected tissue using x-ray imaging to assess margins, then the surgeon can identify whether additional resection is needed, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming under time pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical examination of tissue margins with automated image processing and analysis systems. The system automatically detects tissue borders, analyzes margin status, and provides feedback to the surgeon, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual assessment while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies and representations of the dissected tissue through imaging techniques. These digital models allow for rapid, repeated analysis of margin status without requiring the surgeon to physically examine the tissue multiple times, saving time while preserving assessment accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the surgeon sets markers on resected tissue to indicate anatomical directions, then the surgeon can identify which additional part to resect, but the determination becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual marker placement with automated image recognition and analysis systems that detect anatomical landmarks and determine orientation automatically. This eliminates human error in marker placement while providing more reliable and consistent orientation determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-analysis of the resected tissue images, automatically identifying anatomical structures and determining orientation without requiring surgeon intervention for marker placement. The system serves itself by autonomously completing tasks that were previously performed manually.
3Measurement precision
If the surgeon performs careful pre-operational planning based on mammograms to assess lump size and location, then the surgical plan can be optimized, but the overall process remains time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of lump characteristics and surgical margins during the surgical procedure itself using rapid image processing, rather than relying solely on pre-operational planning. This allows for real-time adjustments while maintaining accurate assessment, reducing the burden on pre-operative planning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual pre-operational planning and assessment with automated image analysis systems that can rapidly process and interpret imaging data. This substitution maintains or improves measurement precision while significantly reducing the time required for planning and assessment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for handling a specimen image is disclosed. An image input (1) is configured to receive a body image representing at least a portion of a living body and a specimen image representing a dissected portion of the living body. An alignment unit (2) is configured to compute an alignment of the specimen image with the body image, based on image content of the specimen image and/or the body image. A border detector (3) is operativelyconnected to the alignment unit (2) and configured to detect at least part of an outer border of the dissected portion in the specimen image.