Tomosynthesis Motion Detection via Reference Point Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient motion during breast tomosynthesis scans leads to image blurring, rendering images unacceptable for clinical screening and causing diagnostic delays, as the issue is not detected until after the scan, leading to patient frustration and potential delays in malignancy diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition and processing system that generates a time series of images, detects motion by comparing actual and expected locations of reference points, and prompts a responsive action if motion is detected, allowing for immediate re-scanning before patient discharge and enhancing image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tomosynthesis scan is performed, then high quality 3D images are obtained, but patient motion during scan causes image blurring that renders images unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs motion detection during the scan acquisition process itself, rather than after. By continuously monitoring reference points during the tomosynthesis scan, the system can detect motion in real-time and prompt for re-scanning before the patient is discharged, preventing the harmful effect of motion blur from compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the operator about patient motion conditions during the scan. By comparing actual locations of reference points with expected locations and calculating motion scores, the system gives real-time information about image quality degradation risk, allowing the operator to decide whether to repeat the scan before the patient leaves.
2Reliability
If motion detection is performed after scan, then image blurring is identified, but patient must be called back causing frustration and diagnostic delays
Solution Approach 1:
The motion detection is performed during the scan acquisition process itself, before the patient is discharged. The system analyzes reference point positions in real-time during the tomosynthesis scan and can immediately identify motion issues, eliminating the need for post-scan analysis and subsequent patient recall.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion detection process continues throughout the entire scan acquisition and immediately afterward, without interruption. The system continuously monitors reference points during the scan and maintains detection capability until a decision is made about image acceptability, ensuring no time is lost between scanning and motion assessment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple reference points are tracked to improve motion detection accuracy, then detection precision increases, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the breast image into multiple regions of interest, each containing reference points that are tracked independently. By segmenting the analysis into discrete reference point locations, the system can detect motion at specific critical areas without processing the entire image at once, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reference points are selected at specific locations within the breast image where motion is most likely to occur or where anatomical landmarks are most distinct. This localized approach to reference point selection allows the system to concentrate computational resources on the most informative areas rather than uniformly processing the entire image.
Data Source
AI summary
The effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images are automatically detected and quantified. In at least one embodiment an indication of detection of the effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images is provided shortly after the scan, e.g., before the patient is discharged or before the breast is decompressed. A patient motion score may be calculated as part of motion quantification. The score may be stored for subsequent retrieval. Images may be presented with reference features to help a technician confirm of the effects of motion in images.