Abstract: Systems and methods for generating imaging biomarkers that indicate detectability or conspicuity of lesions that may be present in mammographic images are provided. In general, a task-based measure of a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) measurement of a detection task is computed over a number of small regions-of-interest (“ROIs”) in an image, and the computed parameter is used to predict what detection rates should be if a lesion was present in the image. As such, the computed parameter can be used to define an imaging biomarker that is a “masking measure” that indicates the degree of conspicuity of lesions that may be present in a given a mammographic image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating imaging biomarkers that indicate detectability or conspicuity of lesions that may be present in mammographic images are provided. In general, a task-based measure of a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) measurement of a detection task is computed over a number of small regions-of-interest (“ROIs”) in an image, and the computed parameter is used to predict what detection rates should be if a lesion was present in the image. As such, the computed parameter can be used to define an imaging biomarker that is a “masking measure” that indicates the degree of conspicuity of lesions that may be present in a given a mammographic image.

Abstract: An integrated application specific integrated circuit having a detection layer, a time delayed integration capability, data acquisition electronics, and a readout function is provided for detecting breast cancer in women. The detection layer receives x-ray radiation and converts the received energy to electron pairs, one of which is received by pixels. The time delay integration is on the chip and a part of the readout architecture. The detector may be a hybrid silicon detector (SiPD), a CdZnTe detector, or a GaAs detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a degree of deflection in a breast compression plate. The mammography apparatus further includes an optical measuring device. The method and apparatus involve (a) providing a pattern on the breast compression plate, the pattern being imagable by the optical measuring device, and having a plurality of local pattern indicia; (b) adjusting the breast compression plate to a selected height; (c) imaging the breast compression plate using the optical measuring device to provide an image of the pattern, the image having a plurality of local image indicia including an associated local image indicia for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia; and (d) for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia, determining an associated local deflection of the breast compression plate from the associated local image indicia.

Abstract: A method, computer software product and computer system for analyzing digital mammograms. The method, computer software product and computer system involve a generating phantom thickness object; receiving a set of dimensions for a breast; and, transforming the phantom thickness object to conform to the set of dimensions for the breast to provide the three-dimensional breast thickness object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a degree of deflection in a breast compression plate. The mammography apparatus further includes an optical measuring device. The method and apparatus involve (a) providing a pattern on the breast compression plate, the pattern being imagable by the optical measuring device, and having a plurality of local pattern indicia; (b) adjusting the breast compression plate to a selected height; (c) imaging the breast compression plate using the optical measuring device to provide an image of the pattern, the image having a plurality of local image indicia including an associated local image indicia for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia; and (d) for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia, determining an associated local deflection of the breast compression plate from the associated local image indicia.