Patents by Inventor Alan Rego
Alan Rego has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240108296Abstract: A breast support platform for an x-ray imaging system includes a housing having a compression plate and a front wall, and a heating system disposed at least partially within the housing. The heating system is configured to heat at least a portion of the compression plate, at least a portion of the front wall, or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall. In an example, the heating system includes a transparent conducting film coupled to an inner surface of the housing. In another example, the heating system includes a blower disposed at least partially within the housing, and the blower is configured to channel hot air across an inner surface of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. DeFreitas, Tarpit Patel, Alan Rego, Danielle Niremberg, Douglas Myers, Shusheng He
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Publication number: 20240065649Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. DEFREITAS, Alan REGO, Richard Gladwin EDWARDS, Zhenxue JING, Jay A. STEIN, Timothy N. WELLS, Cornell Lee WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 11890120Abstract: A compression arm device for compressing a breast in an imaging system with a compression paddle. The compression arm device includes a drive for moving the compression paddle towards the breast such that the drive provides a variable resistance during a contact of the compression paddle with the breast.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Defreitas, Alan Rego
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Publication number: 20240023916Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient using an imaging system includes applying, with a first component of the imaging system, a compressive force to the breast. A second component of the imaging system is positioned in a start position. The imaging system sends a first guidance signal to the patient. An imaging procedure of the breast is performed with the second component of the imaging system. Subsequent to performing the imaging procedure, a second guidance signal is sent to the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: John W. ROBINSON, Kenneth DEFREITAS, Adrian HUNSDON, Rachel CHANDLER, Ashwini KSHIRSAGAR, David WOLFF, Alan REGO
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Patent number: 11832783Abstract: The housing for a breast imaging system contains an x-ray source and is configured to rotate relative to the breast. The housing for an x-ray receptor has a breast support platform and extends from an arm assembly which rotates independently from the x-ray source housing. A compression arm assembly connected to the arm assembly moves between a first linear position proximate the x-ray receptor housing and a second linear position distal the x-ray receptor housing. A pair of extension arms are pivotably connected to a strut which removably secures a compression paddle to the compression arm assembly substrate. The extension arms move between a first pivoted position substantially aligned with the strut and a second pivoted position disposed at an angle to the strut.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Defreitas, Thomas DeYoung, Jeffrey Harold Paige, Alan Rego, Baorui Ren, Jay A. Stein, David Wolff
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Publication number: 20230355190Abstract: A breast compression paddle includes a bracket, a rigid substrate, and a foam compressive element. The bracket removably secures the breast compression paddle to an imaging system. The rigid substrate is secured to the bracket and includes a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite the first edge. The foam compressive element is slidably secured to the rigid substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Jay A. Stein, Alan Rego
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Publication number: 20230329652Abstract: A compression paddle with a plurality of markers is advanced towards a patient's breast which has been positioned on a support platform for an imaging procedure. An initial position of the compression paddle is detected relative to the support platform when a portion of the breast is contacted. An initial marker is identified which is associated with a feature of the breast when the compression paddle is in the initial position. A compression target marker is based at least in part on the initial position and the initial marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Shawn ST. PIERRE, Alan Rego, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Joseph Vartolone, Timothy Wells
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Publication number: 20230301607Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Alan REGO, Joseph VARTOLONE
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Patent number: 11759153Abstract: A breast support platform for an x-ray imaging system includes a housing having a compression plate and a front wall, and a heating system disposed at least partially within the housing. The heating system is configured to heat at least a portion of the compression plate, at least a portion of the front wall, or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall. In an example, the heating system includes a transparent conducting film coupled to an inner surface of the housing. In another example, the heating system includes a blower disposed at least partially within the housing, and the blower is configured to channel hot air across an inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. DeFreitas, Tarpit Patel, Alan Rego, Danielle Niremberg
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Patent number: 11751824Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Defreitas, Alan Rego, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Zhenxue Jing, Jay A. Stein, Diane Conlin, Timothy N. Wells
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Patent number: 11737717Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient using an imaging system includes applying, with a first component of the imaging system, a compressive force to the breast. A second component of the imaging system is positioned in a start position. The imaging system sends a first guidance signal to the patient. An imaging procedure of the breast is performed with the second component of the imaging system. Subsequent to performing the imaging procedure, a second guidance signal is sent to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: John W. Robinson, Kenneth Defreitas, Adrian Hunsdon, Rachel Chandler, Ashwini Kshirsagar, David Wolff, Alan Rego
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Patent number: 11701068Abstract: A compression paddle with a plurality of markers is advanced towards a patient's breast which has been positioned on a support platform for an imaging procedure. An initial position of the compression paddle is detected relative to the support platform when a portion of the breast is contacted. An initial marker is identified which is associated with a feature of the breast when the compression paddle is in the initial position. A compression target marker is based at least in part on the initial position and the initial marker.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Shawn St. Pierre, Alan Rego, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Joseph Vartolone, Timothy Wells
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Publication number: 20230121488Abstract: A method of imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle includes emitting an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam paddle having a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, wherein the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the upper markers. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. At least one of the plurality of upper markers and at least one of the plurality of lower markers is identified in the image. A thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations is determined, wherein each of the plurality of thickness locations corresponds to at least one of the plurality of lower markers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Baorui REN, Kenneth DEFREITAS, Alan REGO, Christopher RUTH, Andrew P. SMITH, Zhenxue JING, Jay A. STEIN
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Patent number: 11622736Abstract: A breast compression paddle includes a bracket, a rigid substrate, and a foam compressive element. The bracket removably secures the breast compression paddle to an imaging system. The rigid substrate is secured to the bracket and includes a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite the first edge. The foam compressive element is slidably secured to the rigid substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Defreitas, Jay A. Stein, Alan Rego, Christian Dunne, Christine Janssen
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Patent number: 11596368Abstract: A breast compression paddle has two sidewalls, each having an upper edge. Spanning the two side walls is a leading wall which also has an upper edge and is disposed distal from a bracket that is connected to a compression arm. Foam is secured to a substrate which is movably secured to the bracket and the rigid frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position, portions of the substrate and foam are disposed above the upper edges of all three walls. In the second position, the substrate and all of the foam is disposed below the upper edges of all three walls.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Brad Michael Keller, Christine Janssen, Alan Rego
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Publication number: 20230022003Abstract: The housing for a breast imaging system contains an x-ray source and is configured to rotate relative to the breast. The housing for an x-ray receptor has a breast support platform and extends from an arm assembly which rotates independently from the x-ray source housing. A compression arm assembly connected to the arm assembly moves between a first linear position proximate the x-ray receptor housing and a second linear position distal the x-ray receptor housing. A pair of extension arms are pivotably connected to a strut which removably secures a compression paddle to the compression arm assembly substrate. The extension arms move between a first pivoted position substantially aligned with the strut and a second pivoted position disposed at an angle to the strut.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Kenneth F. DEFREITAS, Thomas DEYOUNG, Jeffrey Harold PAIGE, Alan REGO, Baorui REN, Jay A. STEIN, David WOLFF
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Publication number: 20230021258Abstract: A compression paddle with a plurality of markers is advanced towards a patient's breast which has been positioned on a support platform for an imaging procedure. An initial position of the compression paddle is detected relative to the support platform when a portion of the breast is contacted. An initial marker is identified which is associated with a feature of the breast when the compression paddle is in the initial position. A compression target marker is based at least in part on the initial position and the initial marker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Shawn ST. PIERRE, Alan REGO, Richard Gladwin EDWARDS, Joseph VARTOLONE, Timothy WELLS
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Publication number: 20230009702Abstract: A compression arm device for compressing a breast in an imaging system with a compression paddle. The compression arm device includes a drive for moving the compression paddle towards the breast such that the drive provides a variable resistance during a contact of the compression paddle with the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Kenneth DEFREITAS, Alan REGO
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Publication number: 20220361828Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Kenneth F. DEFREITAS, Alan REGO, Richard Gladwin EDWARDS, Christine JANSSEN, Zhenxue JING, Jay A. STEIN, Diane CONLIN, Timothy N. WELLS, Cornell Lee WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 11426132Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Defreitas, Alan Rego, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Christine Janssen, Zhenxue Jing, Jay A. Stein, Diane M. Conlin, Timothy N. Wells, Cornell Lee Williams