Processing and displaying breast ultrasound information

• US 20050171430A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-System Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: U-System Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Shih-Ping, Yu, Zengpin, Zhang, Wei, Chen, Jiayu, Reed, Michael E., Neff, Thomas P., Cupples, Tommy Earl
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/406 using means for diagnosing suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/462 characterised by constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/466 adapted to display 3D data 3D imaging and stereoscopic displays in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S15/8993 and G01S7/52068, respectively; 3D image rendering G06T15/00; manipulating 3D models for computer graphics G06T19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5238 for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image for image registration algorithms G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network

Abstract

Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location. Bookmark-centric and CAD-marker-centric navigation within and among thick-slice images is also described.

Claims

1. A method for presenting breast ultrasound information, comprising:

displaying a first thick-slice image representing a sonographic property within a first slab-like subvolume of a first breast of a patient; and

displaying a second thick-slice image adjacent to said first thick-slice image, the second thick-slice image representing said sonographic property within a second slab-like subvolume of a second breast opposite the first breast, said first and second slab-like subvolumes occupying generally similar positions within the first and second breasts, respectively;

whereby comparison of the first and second breasts relative to said sonographic property is facilitated.

2. The method of claim 1, said first thick-slice image being a member of a first thick-slice image array corresponding to successive slab-like subvolumes within the first breast, said second thick-slice image being a member of a second thick-slice image array corresponding to successive slab-like subvolumes within the second breast, each slab-like subvolume within the second breast having at least a general positionwise association with a corresponding slab-like subvolume within the first breast, further comprising displaying a plurality of members of said first thick-slice image array as positionally paired with corresponding members of said second thick-slice image array.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said successive slab-like subvolumes for each of said first and second breasts collectively occupy substantially all of the breast volume for that breast.

4. The method of claim 2, said sonographic property being associated with first and second breast volumes corresponding to said first and second breasts, respectively, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of bookmarks, each bookmark identifying a bookmark location within one of said first and second breast volumes;

receiving a bookmark navigation command; and

automatically displaying (i) a corresponding one of said thick-slice images associated with a next bookmark location, and (ii) a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said next bookmark location, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said next bookmark location within its associated first or second breast volume.

5. The method of claim 2, said sonographic property being associated with first and second breast volumes corresponding to said first and second breasts, respectively, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of computer-aided detection (CAD) results, each CAD result identifying a potentially suspicious location within one of said first and second breast volumes;

receiving a CAD navigation command; and

automatically displaying (i) a corresponding one of said thick-slice images associated with a next CAD result location, and (ii) a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said next CAD result location, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said next CAD result location within its associated first or second breast volume.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein each of said slab-like subvolumes is substantially parallel to a standard mammogram view plane.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said slab-like subvolumes is substantially parallel to a coronal plane.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying a nipple marker on each of said first and second thick-slice images representing a projection of an associated nipple location thereupon.

9. The method of claim 8, said sonographic property being acquired during volumetric ultrasound scans obtaining first and second breast volumes corresponding to said first and second breasts, respectively, while at least partially compressed in a chestward direction, wherein each nipple marker is positioned on its associated thick-slice image according to at least one of (i) a manually-entered nipple position provided with the associated volumetric ultrasound scan, (ii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated from the associated volumetric ultrasound scan, (iii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated based on manual placement of a physical nipple token for the associated volumetric ultrasound scan, and (iv) a viewer-determined position for the nipple marker.

10. The method of claim 8, said first thick-slice image being displayed to a viewer on a display monitor having an associated pointing device, further comprising:

displaying a cursor upon the first thick-slice image according to a viewer manipulation of said pointing device; and

displaying a breast icon near said first thick-slice image, said breast icon including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between said cursor and said nipple marker on said first thick-slice image.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, said cursor position indicator being positioned relative to a center of the clock face in a manner that reflects said position of said cursor relative to said nipple marker.

12. The method of claim 1, said first thick-slice image being displayed to a viewer on a display monitor having an associated pointing device, further comprising:

displaying a cursor position upon the first thick-slice image according to a viewer manipulation of said pointing device, said cursor position being associated with a corresponding point within the first breast volume; and

displaying a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said cursor position, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said corresponding point within the first breast volume.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising modifying an orientation of said plane around said corresponding point according to subsequent viewer manipulations of an orienting device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said slab-like subvolumes within the first and second breasts occupy substantially all of the volume of the first and second breasts, respectively, as compressed by at least one compressive surface, and wherein said first and second thick-sliced images are enhanced according to at least one computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm operating on said first and second breast volumes.

15. The method of claim 1 said sonographic property being measured throughout a first breast volume corresponding to said first breast, further comprising:

receiving computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) information associated with the first breast volume identifying potentially suspicious regions therein;

displaying a volume rendering of said first breast volume according to said sonographic property thereof; and

displaying a surface rendering of at least one of said potentially suspicious regions within said volume rendering.

16. A method for presenting breast ultrasound information, comprising displaying a thick-slice image representing a sonographic property of a breast within a slab-like subvolume thereof, wherein said slab-like subvolume has a thickness between 2 mm and 20 mm, and wherein said slab-like subvolume is substantially parallel to a coronal plane.

17. The method of claim 16, said thick-slice image being a member of a thick-slice image array corresponding to successive slab-like subvolumes within the breast substantially parallel to the coronal plane, further comprising simultaneously displaying a plurality of members of said thick-slice image array.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said successive slab-like subvolumes collectively occupy substantially all of the breast volume.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying a nipple marker on each of said thick-slice images representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon.

20. The method of claim 19, said sonographic property being associated with scans of a breast volume acquired while the breast is at least partially compressed in a chestward direction, wherein each nipple marker is positioned on its associated thick-slice image according to at least one of (i) a manually-entered nipple position provided with the scan, (ii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated from the scans, (iii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated based on manual placement of a physical nipple token for the scans, and (iv) a viewer-determined position for the nipple marker.

21. The method of claim 17, each of said thick-slice images being displayed to a viewer on a display monitor having an associated pointing device, further comprising:

displaying a cursor upon a selected one of said thick-slice image according to a viewer manipulation of said pointing device; and

displaying a breast icon on said display monitor, said breast icon including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between said cursor and said nipple marker on said selected thick-slice image.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, said cursor position indicator being positioned relative to a center of the clock face in a manner that reflects said position of said cursor relative to said nipple marker.

23. The method of claim 16, said thick-slice image being displayed to a viewer on a display monitor having an associated pointing device, further comprising:

displaying a cursor position upon the thick-slice image according to a viewer manipulation of said pointing device, said cursor position being associated with a corresponding point within the breast volume; and

displaying a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said cursor position, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said corresponding point within the breast volume.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising modifying an orientation of said plane around said corresponding point according to subsequent viewer manipulations of an orienting device.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein said slab-like subvolume occupies substantially all of the breast volume as compressed by at least one compressive surface, and wherein said thick-slice image is enhanced according at least one computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm operating on said breast volume.

26. The method of claim 16, said sonographic property being measured throughout the breast volume, further comprising:

receiving computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) information associated with the breast volume identifying potentially suspicious regions therein;

displaying a volume rendering of said breast volume according to said sonographic property thereof; and

displaying a surface rendering of at least one of said potentially suspicious regions within said volume rendering.

27. A method for presenting medical image information to a viewer, comprising:

displaying a thick-slice image on a display monitor, the thick-slice image representing a sonographic property of a breast within a slab-like subvolume thereof, wherein said slab-like subvolume is substantially parallel to a coronal plane;

displaying a nipple marker on said thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon;

displaying a cursor upon the thick-slice image according to a viewer manipulation of a pointing device associated with said display monitor; and

displaying a breast icon near said thick-slice image, said breast icon including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between said cursor and said nipple marker on said thick-slice image.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, said cursor position indicator being positioned relative to a center of the clock face in a manner that reflects said position of said cursor relative to said nipple marker.

29. The method of claim 27, said sonographic property being associated with scans of a breast volume acquired while the breast is at least partially compressed in a chestward direction, wherein said nipple marker is positioned on said thick-slice image according to at least one of (i) a manually-entered nipple position provided with the scan, (ii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated from the scans, (iii) a computer-derived nipple position automatically generated based on manual placement of a physical nipple token for the scans, and (iv) a viewer-determined position for the nipple marker.

30. The method of claim 27, said sonographic property being associated with scans of a breast volume acquired while the breast is at least partially compressed in a chestward direction, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of bookmarks, each bookmark identifying a bookmark location within said slab-like subvolume; and

receiving a bookmark navigation command and, responsive thereto;

(i) automatically changing the cursor position to a next bookmark location; and

(ii) automatically displaying a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said next bookmark location, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said next bookmark location within the breast volume.

31. The method of claim 27, said sonographic property being associated with scans of a breast volume acquired while the breast is at least partially compressed in a chestward direction, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of computer-aided detection (CAD) results, each CAD result identifying a potentially suspicious location within the slab-like subvolume; and

receiving a CAD navigation command and, responsive thereto;

(i) automatically changing the cursor position to a next CAD result location; and

(ii) automatically displaying a planar ultrasound image corresponding to said next CAD result location, said planar ultrasound image representing said sonographic property along a plane passing through said next CAD result location within the breast volume.

32. A method for processing a three-dimensional data volume of a sonographic property of a breast, comprising:

generating a plurality of two-dimensional coronal thick-slice images from the three-dimensional data volume, each coronal thick-slice image representing said sonographic property of the breast within a slab-like subvolume thereof substantially parallel to a coronal plane; and

displaying said coronal thick-slice images on a user display.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

compressing the breast in a chestward direction; and

ultrasonically scanning the chestwardly compressed breast to generate the three-dimensional data volume.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

generating a plurality of two-dimensional standard-plane thick-slice images from the three-dimensional data volume, said standard-plane thick-slice images representing said sonographic property of the breast within slab-like subvolumes thereof substantially parallel to a standard x-ray mammogram view plane;

concurrently displaying said standard-plane thick-slice images and said coronal thick-slice images on the user display.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said standard x-ray mammogram view plane is the craniocaudal (CC) or the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view plane.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

receiving an x-ray mammogram image of the breast corresponding to said standard x-ray mammogram view plane; and

concurrently displaying said x-ray mammogram image on said user display with said concurrent display of said standard-plane thick-slice images and said coronal thick-slice images.

37. The method of claim 36, each slab-like subvolume being defined between first and second planes substantially parallel to said coronal plane, each slab-like subvolume having a thickness as measured between said first and second planes between about 2 mm and 20 mm.

38. The method of claim 37, said thickness being between about 4 mm and 10 mm.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein all of said slab-like subvolumes have the same thickness.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein an average thickness of a first subset of said slab-like subvolumes located closer to a chest wall is less than an average thickness of a second subset of said slab-like subvolumes located farther from the chest wall, whereby detection of smaller structures nearer to the chest wall is facilitated.

41. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

processing said three-dimensional data volume according to at least one computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm to detect anatomical abnormalities in the breast;

associating said detected abnormalities with corresponding coronal thick-slice images based upon their relative position within the three-dimensional data volume; and

displaying annotations on said corresponding coronal thick-slice images according to type and location of detected anatomical abnormality.