Abstract: A method includes moving a radiation source and a radiation detector along a scan path substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of a patient. A beam of radiation is emitted from the radiation source. The beam of radiation is detected at the radiation detector. The detected beam is processed so as to form a first image of a first area of the patient along the scan path.

Abstract: A tilted needle biopsy assembly is provided for mounting on an x-ray system. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to at least one of the detector and the x-ray source, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. The angled biopsy needle additionally allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient. The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a breast compression paddle, includes a base, a lip connected to and extending substantially orthogonal from the base, an arm connected to and extending substantially orthogonal from the base and disposed substantially parallel to the lip, and a tine connected to and extending at an angle to the arm. The lip defines a lip plane, and the tine is oriented towards the lip plane. The apparatus is configured to hold and support a compression paddle.

Abstract: A mini C-arm with a movable X-ray source is disclosed. The mini C-arm including a moveable base, a C-arm assembly, and an arm assembly for coupling the C-arm assembly and the base. The C-arm assembly includes a first end, a second end, and a curved intermediate body portion defining an arc length. The source is positioned adjacent to the first end. A detector is positioned at the second end. The source is moveable along the arc length and relative to the detector to enable a plurality of images of the patient's anatomy to be acquired including a first image when the X-ray source is at a first position and a second image when the X-ray source is at a second position. The images being taken without moving the patient's anatomy. The C-arm assembly may include a motor and a belt drive system for moving the source relative to the detector.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for predicting the reading time and/or reading complexity of a breast image. In aspects, a first set of data relating to the reading time of breast images may be collected from one or more data sources, such as image acquisition workstations, image review workstations, and healthcare professional profile data. The first set of data may be used to train a predictive model to predict/estimate an expected reading time and/or an expected reading complexity for various breast images. Subsequently, a second set of data comprising at least one breast image may be provided as input to the trained predictive model. The trained predictive model may output an estimated reading time and/or reading complexity for the breast image. The output of the trained predictive model may be used to prioritize mammographic studies or optimize the utilization of available time for radiologists.

Abstract: A colpotomy device includes a shaft assembly having a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft disposed within, and rotatable and translatable relative to, the outer shaft, a handle assembly operably coupled to a proximal end of the shaft assembly, and configured to selectively rotate the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft, a colpotomy cup assembly including an outer cup and an inner cup disposed within the outer cup, wherein the inner cup is fixedly coupled to a distal end of the inner shaft, and the outer cup is fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer shaft, and a cutting element coupled to the inner cup, such that the inner shaft the shaft assembly, inner cup, and cutting element rotate together relative to the outer shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus has an upright gantry. A tube arm assembly and a compression arm assembly are rotatably coupled to the gantry. The tube arm assembly independently rotates relative to the compression arm assembly. A controller disposed on the gantry is operably connected to at least one of the tube arm assembly and the compression arm assembly.

Abstract: A bracket body releasably secures a compression element to the compression arm of a breast imaging system. A pair of parallel lateral arms extends from a rigid frame which extends from the bracket. A span connects the ends of the lateral arms opposite the bracket and a flexible membrane extends from the span towards the bracket body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a breast compression paddle for a mammographic/tomosynthesis imaging system. The paddle including a front wall which is adjacent an imaged patient's chest. The bottom wall which is connected to a curved lower interface extends away from the chest wall and is adjacent to the top of a compressed breast. Two outer edges which extend away from the front reference surface, partially define a slightly raised central portion of the bottom wall. A bottom reference plane, a vertical reference plane substantially orthogonal to the front reference surface and the bottom reference plane, and an access surface disposed proximate at least one of the two outer edge portions are each defined by the bottom wall. The access surface is non-orthogonal to the front reference surface, the bottom reference plane, and the vertical reference plane.

Abstract: The technology relates to a methods and systems for improving medical imaging procedures. An example method includes receiving a first set of quality metrics for a plurality of medical images acquired at a first imaging facility; receiving a second set of quality metrics for a second plurality of medical images acquired at a second imaging facility; comparing the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics; based on the comparison of the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics, generating a benchmark for at least one metric in the first set of quality metrics and the second set of quality metrics; generating facility data based on the generated benchmark and the first set of quality metrics; and sending the facility data to the first imaging facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing X-ray scatter during breast imaging, and more specifically during tomosynthesis imaging. In one embodiment, an anti-scatter grid having a plurality of septa may be configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray imaging device such that each septum of the plurality of septa extends along a direction substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging of the subject using the X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device may be operable in a tomosynthesis mode for imaging of a breast of the subject and may include the anti-scatter grid disposed between a breast platform and the X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid may be configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during tomosynthesis imaging.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying and navigating breast tissue is configured for or includes obtaining a plurality of 2D and/or 3D images of a patient's breast; generating a synthesized 2D image of the breast from the obtained images; displaying the synthesized 2D image; receiving a user command, or otherwise detecting through a user interface, a user selection or other indication of an object or region in the synthesized 2D image; and displaying at least a portion of one or more images from the plurality, including a source image and/or most similar representation of the user selected or indicated object or region.

Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.

Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for viewing and manipulating digital images. One example apparatus includes a controller configured to receive user input via a plurality of context-adaptive button controls, each of the plurality of context-adaptive button controls being associated with at least one function for viewing and manipulating digital images. The controller configured to determine at least one context of the digital medical images and change the at least one function for viewing and manipulating digital images based on the determined context.

Abstract: A curved compression element, such as a breast compression paddle, and imaging systems and methods for use with curved compression elements. A system may include a radiation source, a detector, and a curved compression element. Operations are performed that include receiving image data from the detector; accessing a correction map for the at least one compression paddle; correcting the image data based on the correction map to generate a corrected image data; and generating an image of the breast based on the corrected image data. The breast compression element generally has no sharp edges, but rather has smooth edges and transitions between surfaces. The breast compression paddle also includes a flexible material that spans a portion of a curved bottom surface of the breast compression paddle to define a gap. The flexible material may be a thin-film material such as a shrink wrap.

Abstract: A system for imaging a breast includes a gantry and a tube head rotatably coupled thereto. An x-ray source is disposed within the tube head. A support arm is movably coupled to the gantry and includes a breast support platform. An x-ray detector is disposed within the breast support platform and a compression arm is movably coupled to the support arm. An opaque breast compression paddle is coupled to the compression arm. The breast support platform and the opaque compression paddle at least partially define a compression volume for compressing a breast and a camera is arranged to capture images of the compression volume. An image display is at least partially disposed on the system and is configured to display the images of the compression volume captured by the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.

Abstract: A system for imaging a breast includes a gantry and a tube head rotatably coupled thereto. An x-ray source is disposed within the tube head. A support arm is movably coupled to the gantry and includes a breast support platform. An x-ray detector is disposed within the breast support platform and a compression arm is movably coupled to the support arm. An opaque breast compression paddle is coupled to the compression arm. The breast support platform and the opaque compression paddle at least partially define a compression volume for compressing a breast and a camera is arranged to capture images of the compression volume. An image display is at least partially disposed on the system and is configured to display the images of the compression volume captured by the camera.