Abstract: A tissue holder assembly for receiving and imaging severed tissue samples from a biopsy device includes a base and a cover removably attached to the base to define an interior, the base having one or more vacuum lumens in communication with the interior, the assembly further including a tissue tray removably and rotatably mounted in the interior, wherein a bottom of the tissue tray comprises a filter material that allows fluid to pass through. The cover has a tissue sample entry port formed therein and configured direct severed tissue samples and fluid aspirated therethrough into a respective tissue storage compartment of the tissue tray positioned under the tissue sample entry port, wherein the base includes a raised surface underlying at least a portion of the tissue tray circumferentially spaced apart from the tissue sample entry port when the cover is attached to the base.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring images of objects distributed within a specimen affixed to a surface of a slide, the specimen having an uneven height relative to the slide surface using a camera having an objective lens with an optical axis that forms a non-orthogonal angle with the surface of the slide, the method including acquiring a first plurality of images of a first linear portion of the specimen; evaluating a focus of objects within the linear portion of the specimen captured in the first plurality of images; and acquiring a second plurality of images of the first linear portion or of a second linear portion of the specimen different from the first, wherein a height of the objective lens relative to the slide surface is varied during acquisition of the second plurality of images based on the evaluated focus of the objects captured in the first plurality of images.

Abstract: The invention includes a method including the steps of obtaining a plurality of images, each of the images in the plurality having at least one corresponding region, generating a merged image, the merged image also having the corresponding region. The step of generating includes selecting an image source from the plurality of images to source image data for the corresponding region in the merged image by comparing attributes of the corresponding regions of the plurality of images to identify the image source having preferred attributes.

Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.

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: Systems and methods for generating and using customized hanging protocol for the display of medical images. The methods may include receiving an indication to create a first hanging step of the hanging protocol, displaying a workspace having a plurality of viewports for displaying medical images, and displaying a plurality of building blocks corresponding to different types of medical images. The method may also include receiving a selection of a first building block in the plurality of building blocks, wherein the first building block corresponds to a first type of medical image, and receiving an indication of a location in the workspace for the first building block to be placed. Based on the indication of the location in the workspace for the first building block, one or more of the plurality of viewports is filled with the first building block.

Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a gantry and a compression system coupled to the gantry and rotatable relative to the gantry. The compression system includes a compression paddle, a support platform, and an x-ray receptor disposed below the support platform. An x-ray tube head is coupled to the gantry and includes an x-ray source and a light source. The x-ray tube head is independently rotatable relative to the gantry and the compression system. The light source is configured to generate at least a first light type and a different second light type directed towards the support platform. The second light type being mapped to an x-ray field of the x-ray source, and the generated second light type is based on a tilt angle of the x-ray tube head relative to the support platform and a compression force of the compression paddle.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring images of objects distributed within a specimen affixed to a surface of a slide, the specimen having an uneven height relative to the slide surface using a camera having an objective lens with an optical axis that forms a non-orthogonal angle with the surface of the slide, the method including acquiring a first plurality of images of a first linear portion of the specimen; evaluating a focus of objects within the linear portion of the specimen captured in the first plurality of images; and acquiring a second plurality of images of the first linear portion or of a second linear portion of the specimen different from the first, wherein a height of the objective lens relative to the slide surface is varied during acquisition of the second plurality of images based on the evaluated focus of the objects captured in the first plurality of images.

Abstract: A method of compressing a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes obtaining an x-ray area of the breast of the patient. The x-ray area of the breast is compared to a data set, and a target force is based at least in part on the comparison is identified. A compressive force is applied to the breast, and is based at least in part on the target force. The breast is imaged with the breast imaging system.

Abstract: Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses. Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray tube head, a support arm, and a compression system coupled to the support arm. The compression system is independently rotatable relative to the x-ray tube head and includes a compression paddle, a support platform, and an x-ray receptor. The imaging system also includes a light assembly coupled to the support arm and disposed above the compression paddle. The light assembly is configured to direct one or more beams of light towards the support platform.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker configured to expand upon deployment into a biopsy cavity, and visible under several different imaging modalities, comprises a superabsorbent hydrogel component and a radiopaque element. The hydrogel is in a compressed, dehydrated state prior to deployment to facilitate placement of the marker within the biopsy site, and thereafter expands upon deployment in the biopsy site. Such expansion limits migration of the site marker.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for an auto-focus tool for multimodality image review. In aspects, an image review system may provide for the display of a set of medical images representing one or more imaging modalities. The system may also provide an auto-focus tool that may be used during the review of the set of medical images. After receiving an instruction to activate the auto-focus tool, the system may receive a selection of an ROI in at least one of the images in the set of medical images. The auto-focus tool may identify the location of the ROI within the image and use the identified ROI location to identify a corresponding area or ROI in the remaining set of medical images. The auto-focus tool may orient and display the remaining set of medical images such that the identified area or ROI is prominently displayed.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes a housing, an outer tube having a distal portion configured for transcervical insertion into a uterus, an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube lumen, a vacuum generation chamber disposed within the housing, a movable piston slidably disposed in the vacuum generation chamber, a collection chamber, a manual actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the piston, and proximal and distal one-way valves. The outer tube has an outer tube lumen, a tissue in-take opening proximate a distal end thereof, and a proximal end coupled to the housing. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen extending from an open inner tube distal end to an open inner tube proximal end, the open inner tube distal end comprising a cutting edge configured to sever intrauterine tissue extending through the tissue in-take opening in the outer tube.

Abstract: A method for processing breast tissue image data includes obtaining image data of a patient's breast tissue, processing the image data to generate a set of image slices, the image slices collectively depicting the patient's breast tissue; feeding image slices of the set through each of a plurality of object-recognizing modules, each of the object-recognizing modules being configured to recognize a respective type of object that may be present in the image slices; combining objects recognized by the respective object-recognizing modules to generate a synthesized image of the patient's breast tissue; and displaying the synthesized image.

Abstract: An x-ray breast imaging system includes a breast support platform including an x-ray receptor, and an x-ray tube head. The x-ray tube head includes an x-ray source configured to emit an x-ray beam in a direction towards the x-ray receptor, and a collimator. A filter assembly including a plurality of filter slots selectively positionable adjacent to the collimator, and a specimen imaging filter disposed within a slot of the plurality of filter slots. The specimen imaging filter includes at least one aperture defined therein. The specimen imaging filter also blocks a portion of the emitted x-ray beam so that the at least one aperture defines a path of the emitted x-ray beam towards the x-ray receptor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging a patient's breast in combinations of dual-energy, single-energy, mammography and tomosynthesis modes that facilitate screening for and diagnosis of breast abnormalities, particularly breast abnormalities characterized by abnormal vascularity.