Patent · US Active

Full-field breast image data processing and archiving

US7940966B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
106References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 25, 2003
Grant dateMay 10, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG16H40/20
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system, computer program product, and related methods are described for obtaining, processing, and/or and archiving full-field breast image data, such as full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) data, in a manner that promotes ready integration with current x-ray mammogram-based breast cancer screening methodologies, and which can alternatively be used to support a full-field-only environment. Two-dimensional thick-slice images computed from a three-dimensional data volume are used to facilitate efficient archiving for a breast imaging session, the two-dimensional thick-slice images corresponding to slab-like subvolumes of the breast. Clinician data overload problems that can arise from the existence of large amounts of three-dimensional full-field breast image data are reduced. Archive space is also preserved while still providing sufficient information data for future reference purposes. Related adjunctive full-field workflow methods are also described. The described embodiments are applicable to FFBU imaging and other full-field breast imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and others.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.