Closed-loop control of compression paddle motion to reduce blurring in mammograms
Wang Kei Ma1, David Howard2, Peter Hogg1
1Directorate of Radiography, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK.
Medical Physics
|May 12, 2017
Summary
Implementing closed-loop control for breast cancer screening mammography significantly reduces compression paddle motion blur. This innovation drastically cuts image acquisition settling time, improving diagnostic image quality and reducing the need for repeat scans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
Background:
- Blurred images are frequently reported in UK breast cancer screening centers using full field digital mammography (FFDM).
- Image blur is often caused by unwanted movement of the compression paddle during image acquisition.
- This motion can compromise the diagnostic quality of mammograms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and evaluate a closed-loop control system using breast-side compression paddle position feedback.
- The primary goal is to minimize the settling time of breast-side motion during mammography.
- This aims to reduce image artifacts and improve screening accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Measured compression paddle motion using calibrated linear potentiometers.
- Developed a mathematical model of the compression paddle, machine drive, and breast.
- Utilized simulation software to optimize controller parameters and predict system performance.
Main Results:
- Simulations demonstrated that closed-loop control reduced paddle motion settling time from over 90 seconds to under 4 seconds.
- Machine drive time constants had minimal impact on open-loop response.
- In closed-loop control, larger time constants increased settling time.
Conclusions:
- Implementing the proposed closed-loop control system can significantly reduce paddle motion-induced blur.
- This technology has the potential to enhance the quality and reliability of digital mammography.
- Improved image quality can lead to more accurate breast cancer detection.
