X-ray Imaging Compression Paddle and Image Processing for Breast Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging technologies face challenges in generating precise and accurate images, particularly for breast tissue, due to the similar attenuation coefficients of breast tissues, leading to overlapping materials and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves compressing the breast using a compression paddle to reduce thickness, allowing for clearer X-ray imaging by spreading tissues in the direction of X-ray radiation, and employing an X-ray imaging apparatus with an X-ray source, detector, and image processor that performs image analysis and processing to isolate the tissue of interest, excluding interference targets, thereby enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If breast tissue is imaged without compression, then tissue structure is preserved naturally, but tissue thickness causes overlapping materials and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The compression paddle is applied to the breast tissue before X-ray imaging to pre-compress and spread the tissue in the direction of X-ray radiation. This preliminary action reduces tissue thickness and prevents overlapping materials, thereby improving image quality before the actual imaging process occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression paddle spreads breast tissue in the direction of X-ray radiation (compressing along the X-ray path), effectively transforming the three-dimensional tissue structure into a more two-dimensional arrangement. This dimensional change reduces overlapping of tissue layers and improves image clarity.
2Measurement precision
If image processing includes entire breast tissue, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but precision and accuracy for tissue of interest are reduced due to interference regions
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system divides the breast tissue image into distinct regions: a tissue of interest region and an interference target region. By segmenting the image in this manner, the system can apply different processing strategies to each region, focusing computational resources on the tissue of interest while excluding interfering areas, thereby improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus extracts and isolates the tissue of interest from the interference target region. By separating the relevant tissue from interfering structures (such as pectoral muscles or other non-diagnostic regions), the system enhances the precision and accuracy of tissue analysis without being influenced by irrelevant anatomical structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If X-ray exposure is increased to improve image quality, then diagnostic clarity improves, but patient radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression paddle applies localized pressure to specific regions of the breast tissue to optimize tissue distribution in the X-ray path. By improving tissue arrangement locally rather than requiring increased overall radiation, the system achieves better diagnostic clarity while maintaining or reducing total X-ray exposure to the patient.
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
This approach results in higher precision and accuracy of X-ray images, reducing X-ray exposure and improving diagnostic clarity by optimizing contrast and excluding non-diagnostic tissue regions, leading to more effective breast tissue imaging.
Implementation Method 1
X-rays are radiated onto a specific material and are transmitted according to physical characteristics of tissues, structures, or physical materials inside of an object for example, a density of the material
Implementation Method 2
absorbed and attenuated by the material, at a constant rate
Implementation Method 3
an X-ray detecting assembly configured to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and convert the detected X-rays into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating an X-ray image are provided. The method includes obtaining an X-ray image of an object, performing image analysis on a tissue of interest in an area other than an interference target region in the obtained X-ray image, and performing image processing on an entirety of the obtained X-ray image based on information on the analyzed tissue of interest and generating a final X-ray image.