Abstract: An x-ray breast imaging system comprising a compression paddle in which the compression paddle comprises a front wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is configured to be adjacent and face a chest wall of a patient during imaging and the bottom wall configured to be adjacent a length of a top of a compressed breast. The bottom wall extends away from the patient's chest wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the second portion is between the front wall and the first portion. The first portion is generally non-coplanar to the second portion, wherein the compression paddle is movable along a craniocaudal axis. The x-ray breast imaging system also comprises a non-rigid jacket releasably secured to the compression paddle, the non-rigid jacket positioned between the compression paddle and the patient.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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 compression assembly is coupled to the gantry of an ultrasound breast imaging system. The compression assembly includes a pair of compression paddles mounted on a positioning track, Each compression paddle houses a transducer and has a compression material surface for patient contact. A motor moves the compression paddles along the positioning track to immobilize the breast for ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: 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.

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: A multi-modality cancer screening and diagnosis system is provided that allows cancer screening and diagnosis of a patient using at least two different and sequential three-dimensional imaging techniques without patient repositioning. The system includes a first three-dimensional image acquisition device, a second three-dimensional image acquisition device having a probe with a transmitter mounted thereon, and a positioning paddle for positioning and immobilizing an object to be imaged during the cancer screening and diagnosis procedure. The positioning paddle is designed to facilitate visualization of the breast in both three-dimensional modalities without movement of the patient, and preferably is designed to position the patient with comfort during a diagnosis procedure which uses both imaging modalities.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-modality cancer screening and diagnosis system is provided that allows cancer screening and diagnosis of a patient using at least two different and sequential three-dimensional imaging techniques without patient repositioning. The system includes a first three-dimensional image acquisition device, a second three-dimensional image acquisition device having a probe with a transmitter mounted thereon, and a positioning paddle for positioning and immobilizing an object to be imaged during the cancer screening and diagnosis procedure. The positioning paddle is designed to facilitate visualization of the breast in both three-dimensional modalities without movement of the patient, and preferably is designed to position the patient with comfort during a diagnosis procedure which uses both imaging modalities.

Abstract: A station for tomotactic-guided biopsy in prone includes a table with an aperture, and a tomosynthesis imaging system. A biopsy gun can be mounted on a stage arm assembly disposed below the table. The imaging system and stage arm assembly can be independently rotated and linearly repositioned in one or more dimensions, thereby allowing the tomotactic scan axis to be located relative to a breast being imaged.

Abstract: A system and method using an inflatable jacket over the compression paddle of a mammography and/or tomosynthesis system to enhance imaging and improve patient comfort in x-ray breast imaging.

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: 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: X-ray images generated by a biopsy tissue handling apparatus are selectively modified to emphasize areas of interest and deemphasize or eliminate image areas that are distracting, impair view attention and/or contribute to eye fatigue, An image processor executes image masks based on a geometric configuration of a portion of a specimen tray including a storage compartment with tissue specimen, A compartment mask executes on a portion of X-ray image depicting storage compartment including tissue specimen. Compartment mask boundary substantially corresponds to a contour of compartment. Partial structure mask executes on a portion of X-ray image depicting respective walls of specimen tray and storage compartment. Partial structure mask boundary extends along respective lengths and partially through respective walls of specimen tray.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A station for tomotactic-guided biopsy in prone includes a table with an aperture, and a tomosynthesis imaging system. A biopsy gun can be mounted on a stage arm assembly disposed below the table. The imaging system and stage arm assembly can be independently rotated and linearly repositioned in one or more dimensions, thereby allowing the tomotactic scan axis to be located relative to a breast being imaged.

Abstract: 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.