Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described comprising an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of data derived from volumetric ultrasound scans, the data being displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred embodiments for navigating among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a preferred embodiment in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one preferred embodiment the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists having years of expertise in analyzing conventional x-ray mammograms.

Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described comprising an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of data derived from volumetric ultrasound scans, the data being displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred embodiments for navigating among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a preferred embodiment in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one preferred embodiment the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists having years of expertise in analyzing conventional x-ray mammograms.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described, comprising a scanning apparatus for facilitating standardized, repeatable breast ultrasound scans, and further comprising an adjunctive ultrasound display apparatus configured for fast, intuitive viewing of adjunctive ultrasound data concurrently with x-ray mammogram information. In one preferred embodiment, thick-slice ultrasound images are displayed near an x-ray mammogram such that a screening radiologist can quickly view the thick-slice images for assistance in interpreting the x-ray mammogram. Methods for concurrently acquiring and displaying vibrational resonance image (VDI) data are described. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) algorithms that incorporate acoustically-based feature vectors are described, the feature vectors including lateral shadow metrics, vertical shadow metrics, posterior enhancement metrics, and VDI-based metrics.

Abstract: Ultrasound mammography in which an automated transducer scans the patient's breast to generate many images of thin slices that are processed into few images of thick slices that can be displayed simultaneously for practical rapid assessment of the breast. The thin-slice images can be acquired by a technician so that a physician need only spend time in assessing the few displayed thick-slice images and, possibly, only a few of the thin-slice images that might match a suspected anomaly indicated in the thick-slice images. Computer-aided detection or diagnosis (CAD) can be performed on the images and resulting mark and/or other information can be displayed as well. Vibration images can be obtained as well and similarly processed and displayed to highlight abnormalities or for other reasons.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue volume are described, the apparatus being particularly advantageous in the context of freehand ultrasound assisted biopsy of the breast although readily applied to non-biopsy contexts and other body parts. The apparatus comprises a casing configured and dimensioned for single-handed manipulation relative to a surface of the tissue, and a texturably couplant-porous material sheet extending across an opening of the casing. The texturably couplant-porous material sheet has an outer side and an inner side relative to the casing, the outer side for compressively contacting the tissue surface. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned against the inner side of the texturably couplant-porous material sheet and being mechanically translatable thereacross for volumetrically scanning the tissue volume therethrough.

Abstract: Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus (1202) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly (1208). The compression/scanning assembly (1208) comprises an ultrasound transducer (1304) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane (1218) in a substantially taut state, the membrane (1218) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly (1208) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer (1304) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners (1208, 1508) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products are provided for the reliable measurement of absolute chromophore concentrations in biological tissue, such as those indicative of blood oxygenation levels in the brain, based on infrared optical scanning. A plurality of probe patches is positioned at a respective plurality of locations around the patient's head, each probe patch being positioned against the skin of the head, wherein at least one of the probe patches is positioned where the skin includes active hair follicles. Each probe patch comprises a first infrared source-detector pair having a relatively short source-detector spacing and a second infrared source-detector pair having a relatively long source-detector spacing. Phase-only measurements are acquired for each of a plurality of infrared radiation wavelengths and modulation frequencies for each source-detector pair. Absolute regional chromophore concentrations in the brain are computed based on the phase-only measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for scanning a breast are described, the apparatus comprising a frame defining an orifice shaped to allow the breast to be received therein, a compressive member secured to the frame across the orifice that compresses the received breast toward the patient's chest wall, and a transducer positioned in acoustic communication with the compressive member for imaging the breast therethrough. The frame holds a reservoir of acoustically conductive fluid that maintains the transducer in acoustic communication with the compressive member. In different preferred embodiments having different advantages, the compressive member comprises a flexible elastic membrane, a flexible inelastic membrane, or a rigid sonolucent plastic preformed into the shape of a chestwardly-compressed breast.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for non-invasive monitoring of a biological volume, such as a human brain, are described. In one preferred embodiment, each of a plurality of optical sources emits optical radiation into the biological volume each of a plurality of optical detectors detects optical radiation impinging thereupon from the biological volume. The optical measurements are processed to compute a requisite property value associated with each source-detector pair. For each source-detector pair, a volumetric basis region corresponding thereto is weighted by the requisite property value, the volumetric basis region being predetermined and representative of an estimated subvolume of the biological volume encountered by optical radiation emitted from that source and propagating to that detector. The weighted volumetric basis regions are accumulated into a volumetric cumulative array, and a display output is generated based at least in part on the volumetric cumulative array.

Abstract: A method and associated systems for processing and displaying three-dimensional medical imaging data of a subject anatomical volume is described in which a plurality of thick-slice images is computed and displayed, each thick-slice image corresponding to a thick-slice or slab-like subvolume of the anatomical volume substantially parallel to a standard x-ray view plane for that anatomical volume. The thick-slice or slab-like subvolumes have a thickness generally related to a lesion size to be detected and/or examined. The described thick-slice processing and display is generally applicable for any anatomical volume (e.g. chest, head, abdomen, breast, etc.) having associated standard x-ray views (e.g., PA, lateral, CC, MLO, etc.) that is also amenable to one or more three-dimensional imaging modalities (e.g., MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, ultrasound, etc.).

Abstract: Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described in which an ultrasound image being displayed near an x-ray mammogram image may be superimposed thereon or thereunder by a user for facilitating rapid comprehension of breast structures and detection of abnormalities therein. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray mammogram image corresponds to a standard x-ray mammogram view, and the ultrasound image is a thick-slice image representing a thick-slice or slab-like portion of the breast volume substantially parallel to that standard x-ray mammogram view. In another preferred embodiment, the user is permitted to manually manipulate the registration of the ultrasound image with the x-ray mammogram image. It has been found that the manual registration process, which involves manual vernier adjustments responsive to perceived registration differences, can rapidly increase the radiologist's perception of the breast structures being displayed by both component images.

Abstract: Improved systems and related methods for x-ray assisted breast biopsy and ultrasound-assisted breast biopsy are described. In one preferred embodiment, for example, an apparatus for facilitating both x-ray assisted and ultrasound assisted breast biopsy is provided, comprising a biopsy table for supporting a patient in a prone position between first and second opposing ends thereof, the biopsy table having first and second openings, respectively, toward each of the first and second ends, through which the patient's breast may project depending on the patient's orientation on the biopsy table. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound-assisted biopsy system positioned beneath the first opening, and an x-ray-assisted biopsy system positioned beneath the second opening. In other preferred embodiments, the ultrasound-assisted biopsy system and x-ray assisted biopsy system are mechanically interchangeable beneath a single opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for facilitating volumetric ultrasonic scanning of a breast are described. In one preferred embodiment, a generally cone-shaped radial scanning template having a vertex and a wide opening angle is provided, the radial scanning template having a slot-like opening extending outward from the vertex through which an ultrasound transducer scans the breast as the radial scanning template is rotated. In another preferred embodiment, a flexible membrane for compressing a skin surface of the breast is provided, the flexible membrane being mounted on a mechanical assembly such as a roller assembly to form a slot-like opening through which an ultrasound transducer directly contacts the skin surface, the flexible membrane rising and falling relative to the skin surface but not moving laterally as the slot-like opening and ultrasound transducer move laterally across the compressed breast, whereby stabilization of the breast and direct transducer-skin contact are concurrently achieved.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described in which an ultrasound image being displayed near an x-ray mammogram image may be superimposed thereon or thereunder by a user for facilitating rapid comprehension of breast structures and detection of abnormalities therein. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray mammogram image corresponds to a standard x-ray mammogram view, and the ultrasound image is a thick-slice image representing a thick-slice or slab-like portion of the breast volume substantially parallel to that standard x-ray mammogram view. In another preferred embodiment, the user is permitted to manually manipulate the registration of the ultrasound image with the x-ray mammogram image. It has been found that the manual registration process, which involves manual vernier adjustments responsive to perceived registration differences, can rapidly increase the radiologist's perception of the breast structures being displayed by both component images.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described in which an ultrasound image being displayed near an x-ray mammogram image may be superimposed thereon or thereunder by a user for facilitating rapid comprehension of breast structures and detection of abnormalities therein. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray mammogram image corresponds to a standard x-ray mammogram view, and the ultrasound image is a thick-slice image representing a thick-slice or slab-like portion of the breast volume substantially parallel to that standard x-ray mammogram view. In another preferred embodiment, the user is permitted to manually manipulate the registration of the ultrasound image with the x-ray mammogram image. It has been found that the manual registration process, which involves manual vernier adjustments responsive to perceived registration differences, can rapidly increase the radiologist's perception of the breast structures being displayed by both component images.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods are described for obtaining volumetric ultrasound scans of a breast of a supine patient in which a fluid reservoir including a bottom flexible membrane contacts an upward-facing surface of the breast. The fluid reservoir is filled with water or other suitable acoustically conductive fluid until the bottom membrane covering the breast is submerged. A transducer surface of an ultrasound probe is submerged in the fluid and moved over and/or around the breast area to obtain the ultrasound scans. Patient comfort is promoted, the patient being able to relax in a supine position during the procedure with a substantially uncompressed breast. Imaging near the chest wall is enhanced, especially for patients having smaller-sized breasts. Also described are preferred embodiments using multiple transducer surfaces in which shadowing effects are reduced.

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.

Abstract: A method and associated systems for processing and displaying three-dimensional medical imaging data of a subject anatomical volume is described in which a plurality of thick-slice images is computed and displayed each thick-slice image corresponding to a thick-slice or slab-like subvolume of the anatomical volume substantially parallel to a standard x-ray view plane for that anatomical volume. The thick-slice or slab-like subvolumes have a thickness generally related to a lesion size to be detected and/or examined. The described thick-slice processing and display is generally applicable for any anatomical volume (e.g.,chest, head, abdomen, breast, etc.) having associated standard x-ray views (e.g., PA, lateral. CC, MLO, etc.) that is also amenable to one or more three-dimensional imaging modalities (e.g., MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, ultrasound, etc.).