System and method for fusing three dimensional image data from a plurality of different imaging systems for use in diagnostic imaging

• US 9,901,320 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2011
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Inventors: DeFreitas, Kenneth F., Shaw, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): FERNANDEZ, KATHERINE L
• Application Number:
  US13/325,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20120150034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,267 Days
• Field of Search: 600407, 600437, 600411, 600443
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/025 Tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0414 with compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• 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 6/566 involving communication between diagnostic systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0866 involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4438 Means for identifying the diagnostic device, e.g. barcodes
• 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 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 : involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/486 : involving arbitrary m-mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5261 : combining images from different diagnostic modalities, e.g. ultrasound and X-ray

Abstract

A multi-modality cancer screening and diagnosis system is provided that allows cancer screening and diagnosis of a patient using at least two different and sequential three-dimensional imaging techniques without patient repositioning. The system includes a first three-dimensional image acquisition device, a second three-dimensional image acquisition device having a probe with a transmitter mounted thereon, and a positioning paddle for positioning and immobilizing an object to be imaged during the cancer screening and diagnosis procedure. The positioning paddle is designed to facilitate visualization of the breast in both three-dimensional modalities without movement of the patient, and preferably is designed to position the patient with comfort during a diagnosis procedure which uses both imaging modalities.

Claims

1. A method of examining a breast of a patient includes the steps of:

immobilizing the breast, and while the breast is immobilized;

acquiring a three dimensional image of the breast using a first imaging modality, wherein the three dimensional image of the breast acquired using the first imaging modality has a first co-ordinate space;

selecting a region of interest (ROI) in a three dimensional volume based on the three dimensional image, the step of selecting including identifying coordinates of the ROI in the three dimensional volume;

acquiring a plurality of images of the breast using a second imaging modality through a manually-manipulable imaging probe, wherein the plurality of images of the breast acquired using the second imaging modality have a second co-ordinate space, the second co-ordinate space different than the first co-ordinate space;

tracking a movement of an imaging probe of the second imaging modality so as to obtain a second co-ordinate data of the second co-ordinate space, wherein tracking the movement of the imaging probe is performed during acquisition of the plurality of images of the breast with the second imaging modality;

co-registering the second coordinate data with the first co-ordinate space via a navigation system, the navigation system configured to transform a position and orientation of a field of view of the imaging probe of the second imaging modality so that the navigation system co-registers the second coordinate data with the three dimensional image;

during manual manipulation of the imaging probe during acquisition of the plurality of images of the breast with the second imaging modality, providing a cue indicating that the imaging probe is approaching the ROI identified in the three dimensional volume based on the co-registered second coordinate data and the three-dimensional image acquired by the first imaging modality; and

releasing the breast from immobilization.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first imaging modality is selected from a group of imaging modalities including tomosynthesis, computed tomography, SPECT, PET and gamma imaging.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second imaging modality includes ultrasound imaging.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting the ROI is performed manually.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting the ROI is performed with Computer Assisted Detection (CAD) assistance.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of immobilizing the breast includes the step of positioning a positioning paddle over the breast, the positioning paddle comprising a porous fabric.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of immobilizing the breast includes the step of tightening the fabric over the breast.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cue is a visual or audible cue and the cue is provided when the imaging probe is directed to the coordinates of the ROI.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining an orientation plane of the imaging probe, and reconstructing the three dimensional volume along the orientation plane of the imaging probe.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cue is an audible cue.