New Position Indicators in Breast Tomosynthesis

What they are

Two lightweight on-screen components for breast tomosynthesis (DBT) reading: a clock indicator and a depth bar. Both render directly within the image viewport and are linked to the projection currently being displayed (for example, RCC, RMLO). They only appear when the viewport has sufficient space and are automatically hidden in compact layouts or on small screens so as not to overlap the image.

What they do

The clock indicator shows the radial orientation of the projection on screen using the clock-face convention that radiologists already apply to localize findings. It maps the on-screen image to the familiar 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock reference frame.

The depth bar indicates the position of the current slice within the reconstructed volume and marks the specific slices that contain measurements potentially associated with a finding, allowing the radiologist to see at a glance where the measured regions of interest are located along the depth axis.

Its value and specific use in the clinical context

Tomosynthesis reading involves scrolling through dozens of slices reconstructed per projection, and a recurring point of friction is spatial disorientation: knowing where in the breast and at what depth a finding is located, and translating that into the language of the report. These components close that gap. The clock indicator keeps the radiologist anchored to the same coordinate language used in the final report, reducing the mental translation between what appears on screen and how the finding will be documented. The depth bar turns slice navigation from blind scrolling into directed navigation: slices with measurements are already pre-marked, so the radiologist can jump directly to candidate findings and confirm their depth instead of reviewing the entire stack.

How it affects the physician's workflow

The components are passive and ambient. They require no clicks and add no steps. The radiologist reads as usual, but with continuous orientation and depth context in peripheral vision, and with measured slices already flagged on the depth bar for quick navigation. Since they automatically hide in layouts with limited space, they never compete with the image or force a layout change. Net effect: the radiologist spends less time reorienting and locating measured regions, and more time interpreting, with localization that already matches reporting conventions.

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