Tomographic Image Display with Nipple Height Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radiation imaging, particularly in mammography, it is challenging to accurately perceive the three-dimensional position of objects of interest like tumors or calcinosis within tomographic images, especially when the breast is imaged in a compressed state and later viewed in a non-compressed state or with different imaging methods.
Innovation Solution
An image display system that generates tomographic images from radiation images captured at different angles, specifies the nipple height, and displays this information along with the slice height on a single axis, allowing for easier identification of the object's position by referencing the nipple height and slice height in relation to the imaging surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tomosynthesis imaging generates multiple tomographic images to improve diagnostic capability, then the ability to detect objects of interest is improved, but it becomes difficult to perceive the three-dimensional position of these objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new display dimension by adding a scale that indicates the thickness direction (depth dimension) to the existing two-dimensional tomographic image display. This allows the three-dimensional position information to be visualized by displaying the thickness direction position of each tomographic image slice, enabling doctors to understand the depth location of objects of interest without losing the diagnostic information from multiple slices.
2Measurement precision
If the breast is imaged in a compressed state to improve image quality, then the resolution and contrast are improved, but it becomes difficult to perceive the position of objects when the breast is in a non-compressed state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nipple height information as an intermediary reference that bridges the compressed and non-compressed states. By displaying the height position of the nipple (a stable anatomical landmark) relative to the tomographic slices, the system provides a consistent reference frame that allows doctors to correlate object positions across different compression states, even though the breast tissue itself changes shape and position.
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 solution enhances the ability to perceive the position of objects of interest by providing clear, correlated information about nipple height and slice height, facilitating accurate diagnosis across varying breast compression states and imaging methods.
Implementation Method 1
a tomographic image generation unit that irradiates radiation, from a radiation irradiation unit disposed to oppose a radiation image detector, at a breast on the radiation image detector from different angles
Implementation Method 2
acquires a plurality of radiation images captured by the radiation image detector at the respective angles
Implementation Method 3
generates a tomographic image that is reconstructed by reference to a detection plane of the radiation image detector
Data Source
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AI summary
An image display system, radiation imaging system, image display control program and image display control method that make the position of an object of interest easier to perceive. A tomographic image generation section generates a tomographic image DG. A nipple height specification section specifies the height of a nipple P as measured from an imaging plane on the basis of the generated tomographic image DG. An image display control section controls displays at a display, via an interface section, such that an information image IG is displayed together with the generated tomographic image DG. The information image IG indicates the height of the nipple P and the slice height of the tomographic image DG that is being displayed.