X-ray Markers for Breast Thickness Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current x-ray mammography and tomosynthesis systems face challenges in accurately determining the geometric thickness of the breast, leading to inaccuracies in x-ray beam settings and image assessments, as existing methods like encoder measurements are prone to errors due to tilting and geometric distortions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pattern of markers on the compression paddle or other objects within the x-ray path, which are invisible or visible in the composite image, allowing for computer-processing to derive geometric information and calculate breast thickness, and optionally removing marker contributions from the image to improve imaging quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If markers are added to the compression paddle or x-ray path objects to enable geometric thickness measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to visible marker artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast thickness measurementVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of color changes by using markers with specific x-ray attenuation properties that make them invisible or substantially invisible in the composite x-ray image. The markers are designed to match the attenuation characteristics of surrounding tissues, allowing them to blend into the background and not create visible artifacts while still being detectable through correlation analysis for geometric measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the marker detection function from the main imaging process by using correlation analysis to identify marker positions separately from the clinical image review. This allows the markers to serve their measurement purpose without interfering with the primary diagnostic function, as the markers can be detected and measured without being visually prominent in the composite image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If visible markers are used in the composite image, then ease of detecting and measuring is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to marker visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker detectionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces correlation analysis as an intermediary process between the composite image and marker detection. Instead of relying on visual inspection of visible markers, the system uses correlation analysis to automatically detect marker positions based on the known marker pattern, eliminating the need for markers to be visually prominent while maintaining accurate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If markers are removed from the composite image, then image quality is improved, but measurement information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidgeometric information

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by conducting correlation analysis to detect and measure marker positions before the markers are removed or made invisible in the composite image. This ensures that all necessary geometric information is extracted and stored while the markers remain in the image for potential future reference or are subsequently removed to improve image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the marker information through correlation analysis, extracting and storing the geometric data separately from the visual appearance of the markers in the composite image. This allows the measurement information to be preserved and utilized even when the markers themselves are not visible or are removed from the final composite image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 method enables accurate calculation of breast thickness with minimal error, enhancing imaging precision and allowing for better x-ray exposure control and image processing, even at low doses, by using correlation analysis to detect and remove marker signals from the composite image.

Implementation Method 1

x-ray imaging a pattern of markers on a compression paddle... to form a composite x-ray image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10398398B2X-ray imaging with x-ray markers that provide adjunct information but preserve image quality

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 HOLOGIC INC

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.