X-ray Mammography Tomosynthesis Image Storage and Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mammography and tomosynthesis imaging systems face challenges in effective display and storage of images, including large storage requirements for tomosynthesis images, long reconstruction times, and the need for improved methods to compare and integrate 2D and 3D images for diagnosis, as well as the limitations of Computer Aided Detection (CAD) marks across different image types.

Innovation Solution

The system acquires and displays x-ray mammography and tomosynthesis images concurrently, allowing for the reconstruction of tomosynthesis images on demand, storage of projection images to reduce storage needs, and integration of CAD marks across image types, with features like simultaneous display of 2D and 3D images, adjustable slice thickness, and stereoscopic viewing to enhance diagnostic efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tomosynthesis images are stored in full resolution, then image quality is improved, but storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and stores only the essential projection images Tp in the database, rather than storing all reconstructed tomosynthesis images Tr. This selective extraction approach maintains image quality for the most critical data while significantly reducing storage requirements by avoiding redundant storage of multiple reconstructed views.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary reconstruction of tomosynthesis images from stored projection images when needed for display or analysis. This allows high-quality images to be generated on-demand from compactly stored projection data, eliminating the need to pre-store all possible reconstructed images at full resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If tomosynthesis images are reconstructed before storage, then image availability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage availabilityVSAvoidreconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If 2D mammography and 3D tomosynthesis images are displayed separately, then image clarity is improved, but diagnostic efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoiddiagnostic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges 2D mammography images and 3D tomosynthesis images into a single integrated display interface. This combination allows radiologists to view both image types simultaneously in a coordinated manner, maintaining the clarity of each image type while improving diagnostic efficiency through unified access and comparison capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system provides multi-functional capability by supporting simultaneous presentation of 2D and 3D images, along with CAD marks and various viewing modes. This universal interface handles multiple diagnostic tasks in a single system, eliminating the need for separate display setups and improving workflow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If CAD marks are placed only on 2D mammography images, then detection accuracy is improved, but applicability to 3D images is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidapplicability across image types

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The CAD system provides universal mark placement capability that works across both 2D mammography images and 3D tomosynthesis images. The system can place CAD marks on either image type depending on which provides better detection, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while expanding applicability to multiple image formats and diagnostic scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces storage and reconstruction burdens, enhances diagnostic efficiency by enabling effective comparison and integration of 2D and 3D images, and improves the accuracy of CAD marks across different image types, facilitating better detection and diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

acquire x-ray mammography image data representative of projection mammography images and x-ray tomosynthesis image data representative of projection images taken at different angles of at least a source of imaging x-rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray generation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP1925255B1Image handling and display in X-ray mammography and tomosynthesis

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 HOLOGIC INC

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AI summary

A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images