Abstract: A breast compression paddle for use in an imaging system includes a compression surface and a jacket. The jacket includes at least one inflatable chamber disposed adjacent to the compression surface and a sheet covering at least a portion of the compression surface. The at least one inflatable chamber is configured to selectively inflate and induce the sheet to slide along the compression surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

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: A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes acquiring surface image data for a target using a first imaging modality. A visual representation of the target based on the surface image data is generated. Internal image data for the target is acquired using a second imaging modality. During acquisition of the internal image data, the visual representation of the target based on the acquired internal image data is updated.

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: 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: The front wall of an imaging system breast compression paddle is adjacent to and faces a patients chest wall during imaging. The front wall has a reference surface adjacent to the chest wall. 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 breast compression paddle for use in an imaging system includes a compression surface and a jacket. The jacket includes at least one inflatable chamber disposed adjacent to the compression surface and a sheet covering at least a portion of the compression surface. The at least one inflatable chamber is configured to selectively inflate and induce the sheet to slide along the compression surface.

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: 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 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 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: A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

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: 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 method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.