Measuring breast density using breast computed technology
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJohn M. Boone, Thomas R. Yellen-Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
Claims20
-8. (canceled)
A method of measuring breast density, comprising:
- (a) generating a three-dimensional volume data set of at least a portion of the breast;
- (b) segmenting the volume data into volume elements associated with glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue;
- (c) calculating a volume of the portion of the breast associated with each of the glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue;
- and
- (d) outputting a breast density measurement being a function of the volume of the portion of the breast associated with each of the glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue.
-39. (canceled)
An apparatus for measuring breast density comprising:
- a table supporting a patient in a prone position with a breast;
- an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner comprising an x-ray source and detector positioned to acquire a CT projection set about a horizontal axis around the breast;
- and
- a computer receiving data from the x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner programmed to:
- generate a three-dimensional volume data set of at least a portion of the breast;
- segment the volume data into volume elements associated with glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue;
- calculate a volume of the portion of the breast associated with each of the glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue;
- and
- output a breast density measurement being a function of the volume of the portion of the breast associated with each of the glandular tissue and non-glandular tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.