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

• US 10,729,403 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2018
• Issued: 08/04/2020
• 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:
  US15/904,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20180249985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 system for imaging a patient breast, the system comprising:

an imaging gantry comprising a compression arm;

a positioning paddle adapted to position the breast for imaging by a plurality of imaging modalities of the system, wherein each imaging modality of the plurality of imaging modalities comprises a separate co-ordinate space, wherein the positioning paddle includes;

a mechanism for coupling the positioning paddle to the compression arm;

a base;

an adjustable frame comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion each have a first end that is attached to the base and a free second end; and

a material spanning the frame, wherein tension is at least partially applied to the material by moving the free second end of the first portion relative to the free second end of the second portion along a plane defined by the span of the material while the first end of both the first portion and the second portion remains positioned on the base, and wherein the tension applied to the material proximate the free second end of both the first portion and the second portion is greater than the tension applied to the material proximate the first end of both the first portion and the second portion;

a first imaging system comprising a tomosynthesis system and coupled to the imaging gantry;

a communication system coupled to the imaging gantry;

a second imaging system comprising an ultrasound system and coupled to the communication system;

a tracking system coupled to the second imaging system, wherein the tracking system is configured to track movement of a probe of the second imaging system; and

a navigation system coupled to the tracking system and the first imaging system, wherein the navigation system is configured to transform a position and an orientation of a field of view of the probe of the second imaging system so that the navigation system co-registers data from the first imaging system and the second imaging system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first imaging system further comprises a system selected from a group including:

mammography, computed tomography, SPECT, PET and gamma imaging.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the material spanning the frame is radiolucent.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the radiolucent material comprises at least one of an inelastic material and a limited-elasticity material.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the radiolucent material comprise a mesh material.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the radiolucent material is positionable relative to the frame.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the radiolucent material is porous.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning paddle is positionable relative to the compression arm.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a platform for supporting the breast during a multi-modal imaging procedure, wherein at least a portion of the positioning paddle is deflectable relative to the platform when positioning the breast during the multi-modal imaging procedure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the positioning paddle is pivotable relative to the compression arm.

11. A multi-modal imaging system for imaging a patient breast, the system comprising:

an imaging gantry comprising a support platform for supporting the breast and a compression arm movable relative to the support platform;

a communication system coupled to the imaging gantry;

a first imaging system coupled to the communication system for performing a first imaging operation of the breast, wherein a first portion of the first imaging system is movably disposed on a first side of the support platform and wherein a second portion of the first imaging system is movably disposed on a second side of the support platform;

a second imaging system different than the first imaging system and coupled to the communicating system for performing a second imaging operation of the breast;

a positioning paddle adapted to maintain a position of the breast for imaging by the multi-modal imaging system during imaging procedures by both the first imaging system and the second imaging system, wherein the positioning paddle comprises;

a base removably coupled to the compression arm;

a pair of opposing arms attached to the base and adjustable in at least two different directions, wherein each arm of the pair of opposing arms comprise a first end coupled to the base and a free second end, wherein the free second end of at least one arm of the pair of opposing arms is moveable relative to the free second end of the other arm of the pair of opposing arms in a first direction that is away from each other, and the pair of opposing arms are pivotable about the first ends relative to the base in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is substantially orthogonal to the second direction; and

a material spanning the pair of opposing arms, wherein the first direction of movement of the pair of opposing arms is along a plane defined by the span of the material; and

a navigation system coupled to the first imaging system and the second imaging system, wherein the navigation system is configured to transform a position and an orientation of a field of view of the second imaging system so that the navigation system co-registers data from the first imaging system and the second imaging system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second imaging system comprises a component configured to contact the positioning paddle during the second imaging operation.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the positioning paddle comprises a rigid portion and a flexible portion.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the flexible portion is configured to deflect relative to the support platform.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the material comprises a flexible, radiolucent, porous material.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising an adjustment element to adjust a tension of at least a portion of the positioning paddle.