Non-invasive classification system of a plurality of different types of micro-calcification of human tissue

摘要

The present invention is directed to a non-invasive method that distinguishes between two types of (fine) calcification by mammographic X-ray imaging. Histopathology has found and confirmed that there are two main types of (fine) calcification, and these two types correlate with benign and malignant breast lesions. If these can be identified non-invasively, early diagnosis of breast cancer can be significantly improved. The present invention takes advantage of the fact that these two types of (fine) calcification show opposite absorption and small angle scatter signals in an X-ray image. Using an imaging system that can record these two signals of breast tissue simultaneously (for example, an X-ray grating interferometric imaging system), the microcalcification type can be uniquely identified. The present invention is expected to be used in mammography in order to improve early breast cancer diagnosis, improve diagnosis accuracy, and reduce biopsy rate.