Tomographic Image Reconstruction with Adjustable Slice Intervals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mammography techniques have low sensitivity and often result in false positives, making it difficult to accurately diagnose breast cancer, and the integration of mammography images with CT or MRI images is challenging due to differences in imaging modalities and breast compression methods.
Innovation Solution
A radiation tomographic image generation apparatus that reconstructs images using tomosynthesis, allowing for detailed observation of regions of interest with adjustable slice intervals, and enables comparison between images from different modalities by displaying tomographic images in a consistent depth order, facilitating accurate tumor identification and diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tomosynthesis imaging is used to generate tomographic images, then the ability to observe internal breast structures is improved, but the slice interval is fixed and cannot be adjusted for detailed observation of specific regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the slice interval based on the observed region. When a region of interest is detected, the slice interval is automatically reduced (finer slicing) for that specific region, while maintaining the original coarser interval for other areas. This dynamic adaptation allows detailed observation of tumors or suspicious areas without unnecessarily increasing the data volume for the entire breast volume.
2Measurement precision
If multiple tomographic images with fine slice intervals are generated for the entire breast volume, then detailed tumor observation is improved, but the data processing time and memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different slice intervals to different regions of the breast. Regions containing tumors or suspicious areas are reconstructed with fine slice intervals for detailed observation, while normal regions use coarser slice intervals. This local differentiation ensures high diagnostic precision where needed while minimizing overall data processing time and memory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system first performs a preliminary detection phase using coarse slice intervals to identify regions of interest (tumors or suspicious areas). Only after detecting these regions does the system generate fine-slice tomographic images for the specific detected areas. This two-stage approach avoids the computational burden of processing the entire breast volume at high resolution from the start.
3Measurement precision
If mammography is performed with breast compression, then the resolution for detecting small calcifications and tumors is improved, but the integration with CT or MRI images becomes difficult due to modality differences
Solution Approach 1:
The tomosynthesis system generates tomographic images that serve multiple functions: they maintain the high resolution needed for detecting small calcifications and tumors (like mammography), while also providing 3D spatial information that can be integrated with CT and MRI modalities. The reconstructed tomographic images act as a universal interface between 2D mammography and 3D volumetric imaging.
4Productivity
If a fixed slice interval is used for tomographic image generation, then the image generation process is simple and fast, but detailed observation of regions with tumors at arbitrary positions is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The breast volume is segmented into multiple regions based on the presence and position of tumors or suspicious areas. Each segment is then reconstructed with an appropriate slice interval: fine slicing for regions containing tumors to enable detailed observation, and coarse slicing for normal regions to maintain fast processing. This segmentation strategy balances image generation speed with diagnostic precision.
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 apparatus generates high-quality tomographic images with adjustable slice intervals, enabling precise tumor identification and comparison between images, improving diagnostic accuracy and consistency in breast cancer diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating radiation to a subject on the radiation image detector from different directions by moving a radiation irradiation section
Implementation Method 2
radiation images obtained from a radiation image detector by irradiating radiation to a subject
Implementation Method 3
reconstructing the plurality of images stored in the radiation image storage means to generate a tomographic image of the subject which is parallel to the detection surface
Data Source
AI summary
A tomographic image generation apparatus for generating tomographic images appropriate for diagnosis from radiation images obtained by tomosynthesis imaging. Tomographic images of a subject are generated with a first slice interval by reconstructing a plurality of radiation images obtained by the tomosynthesis imaging. A region of interest is detected from the tomographic images generated with the first slice interval. Tomographic images are generated with a second slice interval, which is smaller than the first slice interval, adjacent to the slice position of a tomographic image from which a region of interest is detected.