DIGITAL ACQUISITION AND DISPLAY OF MAMMOGRAMS

尽管在医学成像方面有了新的进展，但X射线乳房X线摄影术仍然是一种新的方法。 早期发现乳腺癌的主要筛查工具。 电流 乳房X线摄影成像技术依赖于屏幕胶片的使用 组合作为图像接收器。使用胶片作为图像 记录和显示介质已经导致有限的动态范围、非线性 信号响应以及图像显示和处理中的可扩展性。 已经开发了各种数字射线照相技术， 研究克服这些缺点。 都有明显的优势 和主要缺点。存储荧光成像/计算机X线摄影 (CR)技术已经成为大规模应用一种有希望的候选技术 数字X线摄影实现及与图像的集成 存档和通信系统（PACS）。 然而，目前的CR系统 主要设计用于胸部成像，并且它们未针对 乳房X光成像。 在这个项目中，我们建议修改和优化一个实验CR 用于高分辨率乳房X线摄影成像应用的系统。 这将 包括研究提高DQE、系统分辨率 显示. 优化系统的图像特性将被表征 通过测量信号响应、MTF和噪声特性。 一 基于体模和患者图像的综合比较研究将 评价和比较CR技术与 用于检测微钙化的常规屏幕-胶片技术， 以及低对比度软组织肿块。

Despite new advances in medical imaging, x-ray mammography continues to be the main screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. Current mammographic imaging techniques rely on the use of screen-film combinations as the image receptors. The use of film as the image recording and display media has led to limited dynamic range, non-linear signal response, and inflexibility in image display and processing. Various digital radiography techniques have been developed and investigated to overcome these shortcomings. All have distinct advantages and major disadvantages. The storage phosphor imaging/computed radiography (CR) technique has become a promising candidate for large scale implementation of digital radiography and integration with a Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS). However, current CR systems are mainly designed for chest imaging, and they are not optimized for mammographic imaging. In this project, we propose to modify and optimize an experimental CR system for high resolution mammographic imaging applications. This will include investigation of techniques to improve DQE, system resolution, and display. Image properties of the optimized system will be characterized by measuring the signal response, MTF, and noise properties. A comprehensive comparison study based on phantoms and patient images will be conducted to evaluate and compare the CR technique with the conventional screen-film technique for detection of microcalcifications, as well as for low-contrast soft-tissue masses.