Tomosynthesis Image Sequence Generation with Dual-Energy Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional mammography struggles with overlapping tissue structures hiding pathological changes, while 3D tomosynthesis improves detection but can be challenging due to limited angular views, and dual-energy methods enhance contrast but not in a rotating format for better diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a rotating image sequence using tomosynthesis, capturing projection data sets with different X-ray spectra from multiple angles, combining them to create a contrast-enhanced rotating representation of the breast, allowing for improved detection of pathological changes from various angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional two-dimensional mammography is used, then the examination process is simple and quick, but overlapping tissue structures hide pathological changes making detection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination process simplicityVSAvoidpathological change detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional mammography to three-dimensional tomosynthesis by introducing an angular dimension. Multiple projection images are acquired from different angles (typically 15-50 degrees) and reconstructed into volumetric data, allowing visualization of breast tissue in multiple slices and angles, thereby eliminating the overlap problem inherent in 2D imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The three-dimensional breast volume is segmented into multiple thin slices that can be independently viewed and analyzed. This segmentation allows radiologists to examine specific depth planes without interference from overlapping structures, improving lesion detectability while maintaining operational efficiency through automated reconstruction algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If 3D breast tomosynthesis is used to record from many different angles, then pathological changes can be more easily recognized, but the slices are presented only from one direction making localization difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathological change detectionVSAvoidlesion localization

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the breast volume around the detected lesion. Instead of static single-angle views, the system generates a sequence of virtual projection images showing the lesion from multiple angular positions (e.g., rotating 360 degrees or over a specified angle range). This dynamic presentation allows radiologists to mentally reconstruct the three-dimensional position and orientation of the lesion, improving localization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If contrast enhanced dual energy mammography is used, then lesions are captured more clearly with interfering structures eliminated, but the method does not provide rotating format for comprehensive evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion visibilityVSAvoidviewing angle flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines contrast-enhanced dual-energy mammography with three-dimensional tomosynthesis and dynamic rotation. The system acquires projection images at two different X-ray energy levels, performs subtraction to eliminate interfering soft tissue structures and highlight contrast-enhanced lesions, then integrates this contrast-enhanced data into the 3D volume for multi-angular visualization. This merging provides both superior lesion visibility and comprehensive spatial evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method provides a more accurate and enhanced diagnostic tool by presenting the breast in a rotating, contrast-enhanced format, enabling better evaluation of structures perpendicular to the image plane and facilitating the detection of lesions.

Implementation Method 1

X ray radiation having an energy spectrum which is dependent on the accelerating voltage is emitted by an X ray radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

The radiation penetrates an object under examination, is subsequently captured by a detector and converted into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10751007B2Generating an image sequence

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method generates an image sequence using a tomosynthesis system. The image sequence represents an object under examination in rotating fashion. In a first step at least two projection data sets for the object under examination are captured. These have been acquired using different X-ray spectra in each case and from a plurality of acquisition angles in each case. In a further step at least one combination data set is calculated on the basis of the projection data sets. Subsequently in a further step the image sequence is calculated on the basis of the combination data set. An image sequence generating apparatus and a tomosynthesis system perform this described method.