System and method for generating a 2D image from a tomosynthesis data set
View Patent ↗A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
1. A method for imaging breast tissue, comprising:
obtaining an x-ray tomosynthesis data set of a patient's breast, the x-ray tomosynthesis data set comprising one or more of tomosynthesis projection images and tomosynthesis reconstructed images;
synthesizing a two-dimensional mammogram from only the x-ray tomosynthesis data set; and
displaying the synthesized mammogram on a display device, wherein the synthesized mammogram comprises a synthesized 2D image that simulates a conventional mammography image.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising filtering at least one of the tomosynthesis projection images prior to the step of synthesizing the two-dimensional mammogram.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reconstructing the tomosynthesis projection images into a three dimensional reconstructed image comprising a plurality of slices.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising displaying at least one of the plurality of slices.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising sequentially or concurrently displaying at least one of the plurality of slices and the synthesized mammogram.
6. A method for imaging breast tissue, comprising:
obtaining an x-ray tomosynthesis data set of a patient's breast, the x-ray tomosynthesis data set comprising one or more of tomosynthesis projection images and tomosynthesis reconstructed images;
synthesizing a two-dimensional mammogram from only the x-ray tomosynthesis data set;
displaying the synthesized mammogram on a display device, wherein the synthesized mammogram comprises a synthesized 2D image that simulates a conventional mammography image; and
processing the x-ray tomosynthesis data set to obtain a CAD mark, and displaying the CAD mark on the synthesized mammogram.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the CAD mark is processed and overlaid on the synthesized mammogram.
8. The method of claim 1 , the x-ray tomosynthesis data set consisting of tomosynthesis projection images.
9. A method for imaging breast tissue, comprising:
obtaining a plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast;
reconstructing the plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images into a three dimensional reconstructed image comprising a plurality of slices, wherein a x-ray tomosynthesis data set comprises the plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images and the three dimensional reconstructed image;
synthesizing a two-dimensional mammogram using only the x-ray tomosynthesis data set; and
displaying the synthesized mammogram on a display device, wherein the synthesized mammogram refers to a synthesized 2D image that simulates a conventional mammography image.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of reconstructing the plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images reconstructs the x-ray tomosynthesis projection images onto a first coordinate system to provide an initial reconstruction.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the initial reconstruction is the three-dimensional reconstructed image.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first coordinate system is selected from a group including a Cartesian coordinate system, a cone beam coordinate system and a coordinate system associated with a virtual acquisition system.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein reconstructing the plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images includes projecting the initial reconstruction onto a second, different coordinate system to provide the three-dimensional reconstructed image.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second coordinate system is selected from a group including a Cartesian coordinate system, a cone beam coordinate system and a coordinate system associated with a virtual acquisition system.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein reconstructing the plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images includes orienting said three-dimensional reconstructed tomosynthesis image to a selected plane.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein synthesizing the two-dimensional mammogram includes projecting at least one tomosynthesis slice image having a pixel spacing that differs from a pixel spacing of a mammogram onto a mammogram coordinate system.
17. The method of claim 9 , further comprising sequentially or concurrently displaying the at least one of the plurality of slices and the synthesized mammogram.
18. The method of claim 9 , further comprising processing at least some of the plurality of slices to obtain a CAD mark, and displaying the CAD mark on at least one of the plurality of slices and the synthesized mammogram.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the CAD mark is processed and overlaid on the synthesized mammogram.
20. A multimode tomosynthesis method for imaging breast tissue, comprising, in a first mode:
obtaining an x-ray tomosynthesis data set of a patient's breast, the x-ray tomosynthesis data set comprising tomosynthesis projection images;
synthesizing a two-dimensional mammogram from only the x-ray tomosynthesis data set; and
displaying the synthesized mammogram on a display device, wherein the synthesized mammogram refers to a synthesized 2D image that simulates a conventional mammography image.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein, in a combo mode, the x-ray tomosynthesis data set further comprises a mammogram image.