Tomosynthesis Image Display for Body Movement Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Tomosynthesis imaging faces challenges in accurately detecting body movement during radiation image capturing, particularly for small movements, due to blurring caused by mechanical errors and subject movement, which complicates the identification of lesions like minute calcifications in breast cancer imaging.
Innovation Solution
An image display device that acquires and processes multiple projection images from various radiation source positions, specifies structure positions, and performs switching display to match predetermined positions on a display unit, allowing for the detection of body movement by observing the movement of structures within the images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tomosynthesis imaging is performed by moving the radiation source to multiple positions, then tomographic images can be generated to separate overlapping structures, but the reconstructed images become blurred due to mechanical errors and body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays multiple projection images in sequence with their acquisition timing information, allowing operators to observe body movement patterns and provide feedback for correction. The display unit shows projection images corresponding to different radiation source positions, enabling visual assessment of movement artifacts and facilitating iterative improvement of image quality.
2Ease of operation
If projection images are displayed with adjusted display positions to match a reference point, then the subject region remains stationary on the display screen, but small body movements of several millimeters become difficult to observe
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing acquisition timing information for each projection image. This allows operators to correlate image content with specific time points and detect small body movements that occur between acquisitions, transforming a static spatial display into a dynamic temporal-spatial analysis tool.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation source moves away from the center position during tomosynthesis imaging, then different angular views are obtained for tomographic reconstruction, but the X-ray irradiation position shifts on the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the correspondence between radiation source positions and X-ray irradiation positions on the detector before actual imaging. This preliminary mapping allows the display control to automatically compensate for position shifts during image display, ensuring that structures are consistently positioned across multiple projection images despite the radiation source moving to different angular positions.
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
Enables accurate determination of body movement during tomosynthesis imaging, improving the ability to identify lesions and structures by ensuring that projection images are correctly aligned and displayed, thus enhancing the detection of small movements and lesions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of projection images are acquired by imaging the subject at a plurality of radiation source positions by moving the radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of projection images corresponding to a plurality of radiation source positions at the time of tomosynthesis imaging, the plurality of projection images being generated by causing an imaging apparatus to perform tomosynthesis imaging in which radiation is emitted to a subject. A structure position specifying unit specifies one structure position in the subject. A display controller specifies projection positions of the structure position in the plurality of projection images, and performs switching display of the plurality of projection images on a display unit so that the projection positions match a predetermined position on the display unit.