A Method for Simulating Mammograms

Abstract

This project is to facilitate research in digital mammography and related technologies, in particular computer- aided diagnosis and image processing. A major limitation to the rapid development and subsequent clinical implementation of these technologies is the lack of a standardized set of mammograms to be used in development and evaluation. We are developing a method to produce simulated mammograms. The method relies on a model of image formation that takes into account the absorption of x-rays in the phosphor, subsequent conversion to light and the scattering of the light before escaping the phosphor. The model also takes into account the finite thickness of the phosphor, the divergence of the x-ray beam, scattered radiation, and noise due to film granularity and from the film digitizer. Almost all the components of the model are completed and computer code is being written. The model requires as input high fidelity images of breast tissue and of breast lesions. We have not started collecting samples because an essential piece of equipment is missing. Contingency plans are underway and image data collection will begin in year 2. In addition, early in year 2, we will test the model using x-ray phantoms.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA386898

Entities

People

  • Robert Nishikawa

Organizations

  • University of Chicago

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Analog To Digital Converters
  • Computer-Aided Diagnosis
  • Computers
  • Detectors
  • Digital Data
  • High Resolution
  • Image Processing
  • Information Processing
  • Mammography
  • Phosphors
  • Reliability
  • Scattering
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Thickness
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Oncology and Biomarker-Based Cancer Detection.
  • Theoretical Analysis.