Tomographic Image Generation Using MinIP and MIP Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mammographic tomosynthesis imaging faces challenges in clearly displaying calcified areas and tumor masses due to reduced radiation dose and compression of the breast, which affects resolution and diagnosis accuracy, especially when trying to enhance optical density contrast.

Innovation Solution

A radiographic image generation device and method that generate both MinIP and MIP images with varying slice thicknesses, applying specific processing techniques to enhance the visibility of calcified areas and tumor masses, including high-frequency extraction and suppression, and displaying these images in a composite format to improve depth-direction resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the thickness of a tomographic image is increased to provide higher optical density contrast, then the tumor mass area becomes more visible, but the calcified areas formed by isolated points disappear or become difficult to see

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical density contrastVSAvoidvisibility of calcified areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tomographic image processing into two distinct pathways: one for generating images with small slice thickness to preserve calcified areas, and another for generating images with large slice thickness to enhance tumor mass visibility. This segmentation allows both types of structures to be observed in separate images that are then displayed together, resolving the contradiction between contrast enhancement and detail preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different slice thickness parameters for different processing streams. Small slice thickness is applied to preserve fine details of calcified areas, while large slice thickness is applied to enhance the optical density contrast of tumor mass regions. This localized application of different processing qualities allows both structures to be optimally visualized in their respective images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a reduced radiation dose is used to take one radiographic image, then the exposure dose of the patient is minimized, but it becomes difficult to observe a tumor mass which relies on optical density contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure doseVSAvoidtumor mass observation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional radiographic images to three-dimensional tomographic images by reconstructing images from multiple projection angles. This dimensional change allows tumor mass observation to be achieved through volumetric rendering and maximum intensity projection, which enhance contrast without requiring increased radiation dose, as the 3D reconstruction processes amplify the signal from the already-acquired projection data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If mammographic imaging is performed in a state where the breast is compressed, then imaging is feasible, but it is difficult to obtain a sufficient resolution in the depth direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging feasibilityVSAvoiddepth direction resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression-based depth resolution approach with a computational tomographic reconstruction approach. Instead of relying on physical breast compression to achieve depth resolution, the system acquires multiple projection images from different angles and uses computer algorithms to reconstruct tomographic images with sufficient depth resolution, thereby maintaining imaging feasibility while achieving the required resolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution allows for clear visualization of calcified areas and tumor masses with high resolution in the depth direction, enhancing diagnosis accuracy by combining MinIP and MIP images with different slice thicknesses and processing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

radiographic images for different imaging directions taken by applying radiation to a subject from the different imaging directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-Ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS8913713B2Radiographic image generation device and method

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

Radiographic images for different imaging directions taken by applying radiation to a subject from the different imaging directions are obtained, and a plurality of first tomographic images having a first slice thickness are generated based on the obtained plurality of radiographic images and a plurality of second tomographic images having a second slice thickness that is greater than the first slice thickness are generated based on the radiographic images. Then, MinIP processing is applied to the first tomographic images to generate a MinIP image, and MIP processing is applied to the second tomographic images to generate a MIP image. Then, combining processing is performed using the MinIP image and the MIP image to generate a composite image.