Biopsy systems for breast computed tomography
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for breast imaging, comprising the steps of:
- generating, based on data produced by an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner, a three-dimensional volume data set of at least a portion of a breast, wherein a voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set is generated based on x-ray attenuation of a plurality of breast tissue types corresponding to the voxel;
generating a model of the breast using voxels of the three-dimensional volume data set by assigning biomechanical properties to the plurality of breast tissue types in each voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set;
generating a compressed volume data set by applying a compression algorithm to the three-dimensional volume data set in a first direction to simulate compression of the breast in the first direction; and
generating a simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image corresponding to the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast using cone beam projection on the compressed volume data set, wherein the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is two dimensional mammographic image of the compressed volume data set produced by the compression algorithm based on the biomechanical properties of the plurality of breast tissue types from the three-dimensional volume data set produced by the x-ray CT scanner, wherein the value of a pixel of the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is the result of a summation along a projection path of a ray of the cone beam projection passing through the voxels of the compressed volume data set, wherein at least one value is associated with each voxel of the compressed volume data set, the generating further including;
transforming contrast property of at least one voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast to simulate contrast properties of actual radiographic compression mammogram projection images, wherein the contrast property of the at least one voxel is transformed by using linear attenuation coefficients based on composition of the at least one voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set.
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Abstract
A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry configured to mount an x-ray emitter and CT detector on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
18 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for breast imaging, comprising the steps of:
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generating, based on data produced by an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner, a three-dimensional volume data set of at least a portion of a breast, wherein a voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set is generated based on x-ray attenuation of a plurality of breast tissue types corresponding to the voxel; generating a model of the breast using voxels of the three-dimensional volume data set by assigning biomechanical properties to the plurality of breast tissue types in each voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set; generating a compressed volume data set by applying a compression algorithm to the three-dimensional volume data set in a first direction to simulate compression of the breast in the first direction; and generating a simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image corresponding to the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast using cone beam projection on the compressed volume data set, wherein the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is two dimensional mammographic image of the compressed volume data set produced by the compression algorithm based on the biomechanical properties of the plurality of breast tissue types from the three-dimensional volume data set produced by the x-ray CT scanner, wherein the value of a pixel of the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is the result of a summation along a projection path of a ray of the cone beam projection passing through the voxels of the compressed volume data set, wherein at least one value is associated with each voxel of the compressed volume data set, the generating further including; transforming contrast property of at least one voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast to simulate contrast properties of actual radiographic compression mammogram projection images, wherein the contrast property of the at least one voxel is transformed by using linear attenuation coefficients based on composition of the at least one voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for generating imaging of a breast comprising:
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a table supporting a patient in a prone position with the breast; an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner comprising an x-ray source and detector positioned to acquire a CT projection set about a horizontal axis around the breast; and a positron emission tomography (PET) detector positioned to acquire PET data of the breast, and a computer receiving data from the x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner and the PET detector programmed to; generate, based on data produced by the x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner and the PET data acquired by the PET detector, a three-dimensional volume data set of at least a portion of a breast, wherein a voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set is generated based on x-ray attenuation of a plurality of breast tissue types corresponding to the voxel; generate a model of the breast using voxels of the three-dimensional volume data set by assigning biomechanical properties to the plurality of breast tissue types in each voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set; generate a compressed volume data set by applying a compression algorithm to the three-dimensional volume data set in a first direction to simulate compression of the breast in the first direction; and generate a simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image corresponding to the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast using cone beam projection on the compressed volume data set, wherein the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is two dimensional mammographic image of the compressed volume data set produced by the compression algorithm based on the biomechanical properties of the plurality of breast tissue types from the three-dimensional volume data set produced by the x-ray CT scanner and the PET detector, wherein the value of a pixel of the simulated radiographic compression mammogram projection image is the result of a summation along a projection path of a ray of the cone beam projection passing through the voxels of the compressed volume data set, wherein at least one value is associated with each voxel of the compressed volume data set, the generating further including; transforming contrast property of at least one voxel of the three-dimensional volume data set of at least the portion of the breast to simulate contrast properties of actual radiographic compression mammogram projection images, wherein the contrast property of the at least one voxel is transformed by using linear attenuation coefficients based on composition of the at least one voxel in the three-dimensional volume data set. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification