Tomographic Image Generation Device with Density-Adaptive Slice Thickness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiographic imaging technologies for breast imaging face challenges in achieving high visibility of objects of interest due to varying mammary gland densities, as fixed slice thickness settings can either obscure or overlook lesions, depending on the density level.
Innovation Solution
A tomographic image generation device and method that acquires projection images from multiple angles, determines the mammary gland density, and adjusts the slice thickness dynamically based on this density to optimize image visibility, using predetermined thresholds for calcification and tumor sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed slice thickness is used for tomosynthesis imaging, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the visibility of objects of interest decreases when mammary gland density varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the slice thickness adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the slice thickness parameter based on the measured mammary gland density, allowing the imaging parameters to adapt to different patient conditions while maintaining imaging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the slice thickness parameter according to mammary gland density measurements. By measuring the actual density and adjusting the reconstruction slice thickness accordingly, the system optimizes lesion visibility for different breast types without requiring separate imaging protocols.
2Quantity of substance
If a wide slice thickness is used, then more volume information is captured, but minute lesions are hidden by superimposed mammary gland tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the slice thickness parameter based on measured mammary gland density. For dense breasts, thinner slices are used to resolve minute lesions, while for less dense breasts, thicker slices can be used to capture more volume information, optimizing the balance between these competing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the slice thickness to the specific characteristics of each patient's breast tissue. Rather than using a uniform thickness for all patients, the system adapts the parameter to local conditions (mammary gland density) to achieve optimal lesion detection.
3Measurement precision
If a thin slice thickness is used, then minute lesions can be detected, but lesions may be overlooked when mammary gland density is low due to small information volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts slice thickness based on measured mammary gland density. This ensures that thin slices are used only when necessary (for dense breasts), while thicker slices are used for less dense breasts, preventing information loss while maintaining lesion detection capability.
4Device complexity
If the slice thickness is not adjusted according to mammary gland density, then the imaging process is simple, but diagnostic accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of mammary gland density before tomosynthesis reconstruction. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate slice thickness, avoiding the need for complex post-processing adjustments and maintaining a relatively simple overall workflow while improving 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 enables the generation of tomosynthesis images with high visibility of objects of interest by dynamically adjusting the slice thickness according to mammary gland density, reducing the likelihood of missing lesions and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
radiating radiation onto a breast in sequence from plural radiation angles and by performing imaging at each of the plural radiation angles
Data Source
AI summary
A tomographic image generation device includes a projection image acquisition section configured to acquire plural projection images obtained by radiating radiation onto a breast in sequence from plural radiation angles and by performing imaging at each of the plural radiation angles; a mammary gland density acquisition section configured to acquire a mammary gland density of the breast; a derivation section configured to derive a slice thickness that decreases as the mammary gland density acquired by the mammary gland density acquisition section increases; and a generation section configured to generate a tomographic image at the slice thickness derived by the derivation section based on the plural projection images acquired by the projection image acquisition section.