Systems and methods for measuring deflection of foam breast compression paddle
Inventors
Ren, Baorui • Defreitas, Kenneth • Rego, Alan • Ruth, Christopher • Smith, Andrew P. • Jing, Zhenxue • Stein, Jay A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12295771-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle includes emitting an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam paddle having a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, wherein the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the upper markers. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. At least one of the plurality of upper markers and at least one of the plurality of lower markers is identified in the image. A thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations is determined, wherein each of the plurality of thickness locations corresponds to at least one of the plurality of lower markers.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle. An x-ray energy is emitted from an x-ray source toward the breast and the foam paddle that includes a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, where the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the plurality of upper markers. An x-ray image of the compressed breast is generated based on detected x-ray energy at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source.
In the generated image, at least one upper marker and at least one lower marker are identified. A thickness of the compressed breast is determined at a plurality of thickness locations, wherein each thickness location corresponds to at least one lower marker. The thickness determination leverages the correspondence between thickness locations and lower marker positions to support evaluation across multiple discrete locations.
The foam paddle comprises a foam profile with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front wall. Pluralities of upper markers and lower markers are disposed proximate the respective upper and lower surfaces at first and second distances from the front wall, where the second distance is configured relative to the first distance such that movement of one or more lower markers is measurable relative to the upper markers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two aspects: a method for imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle using identifiable upper and movable lower markers to determine breast thickness at multiple locations, and a foam paddle structure with upper and lower marker pluralities positioned to enable measurable relative movement of lower markers. The coverage is anchored on two inventive features in the method and one inventive feature in the paddle structure.
Imaging compressed breast with movable upper and lower markers
Emitting x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam paddle having a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, where the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the plurality of upper markers, and detecting the x-ray energy at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source to generate an image of the compressed breast.
Marker identification and mapping thickness locations to lower markers
Identifying, in the image, at least one of the plurality of upper markers and at least one of the plurality of lower markers, and determining a thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations, wherein each of the plurality of thickness locations corresponds to at least one of the plurality of lower markers.
Foam paddle with marker spacing enabling measurable lower-marker movement
A paddle for compressing a breast comprising a foam profile with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a front wall; a plurality of upper markers disposed proximate the upper surface at a first distance from the front wall; and a plurality of lower markers disposed proximate the lower surface at a second distance from the front wall, the second distance configured relative to the first distance such that movement of one or more of the plurality of lower markers is measurable relative to the plurality of upper markers.
Across the independent claims, the coverage is anchored on identifying upper and movable lower markers in a generated x-ray image and determining breast thickness at thickness locations mapped to lower markers, together with a foam paddle having configured marker distances that make lower-marker movement measurable relative to the upper markers.
Stated Advantages
Enables identifying upper and lower markers in an x-ray image of the compressed breast.
Enables determining a thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations.
Enables correlating each thickness location to at least one lower marker.
Enables measurable movement of one or more lower markers relative to the plurality of upper markers.
Supports downstream functions for imaging using determined breast thickness, including automatic exposure control (AEC) from scout/penetration imaging, x-ray imaging dose calculation for subsequent imaging, image equalization/attenuation to correct non-flat appearance, tomosynthesis processing with breast-boundary identification to exclude out-of-volume regions, and reduction/correction of marker artifacts using negative signal to reference markers.
Documented Applications
Supporting automatic exposure control (AEC) from scout/penetration imaging based on determined breast thickness.
Calculating an x-ray imaging dose for subsequent imaging based on determined breast thickness.
Applying image equalization/attenuation based on determined thickness to correct non-flat appearance in imaging.
Tomosynthesis imaging processing using breast-boundary identification informed by determined thickness to exclude out-of-volume regions.
Reducing/correcting marker artifacts using negative signal to reference markers associated with upper and lower markers.
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