Abstract: An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

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.

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: A breast biopsy lateral arm system includes a removable gun mount which attaches to a carriage that traverses along an X-axis defined by a lateral arm in order to position a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The carriage rides along the lateral arm on self-adjusting rollers which are loaded against the lateral arm by spring members. A cam-actuated carriage slide lock can be used to secure the carriage in a desired position relative to the lateral arm. A cam-actuated removable gun mount lock allows the gun mount to be quickly changed and offset orthogonally with respect to the X-axis. An X-axis stop can be used to establish a position to which the carriage can be returned with accuracy.

Abstract: Techniques for patient positioning quality assurance prior to mammographic image acquisition are described. A system may include an x-ray source configured to expose human tissue to radiation. An x-ray detector module may be configured to detect the radiation and generate a pre-diagnostic image of the human tissue. A position analysis module may be configured to receive the pre-diagnostic image and determine whether the human tissue is positioned correctly based upon one or more predefined positioning criteria. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store the results of the positional analysis module determination. A display may be configured to display the determination of the position analysis module within a user interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An x-ray tube having at least one focusing cup and an anode. The x-ray tube may have a first filament positioned in a first location between the focusing cup and the anode, the first filament having a first size, and a second filament positioned in a second location between the focusing cup and anode, the second filament having a second size that is substantially the same as the first size. The x-ray tube may also include a switching mechanism configured to engage the second filament upon failure of the first filament.

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: 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: Methods and systems for identifying internal motion of a breast of a patient during an imaging procedure. The method may include compressing the breast of the patient in a mediolateral oblique (MLO) position. During compression of the breast, a first tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a first angle with respect the breast is acquired and a second tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a second angle with respect to the breast is acquired. Boundaries of the pectoral muscle are identified in the projection frames and boundary representations are generated. A difference between the first representation and the second representation is determined. A motion score is then generated based on at least the difference between the first representation and the second representation.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for using gesture recognition to control medical hardware and software. In aspects, an activation signal may be received by an input processing system, such as a gesture recognition system, a voice recognition system, or a touch-based system. After receiving the activation signal, user input may be received by the input processing system. The user input may be processed to determine a current or applicable context. Based on the context, one or more actions corresponding to the user input may be identified. The input processing system may then cause the identified action(s) to be performed.

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: Methods and devices for tracking an x-ray tube focal spot position are described. As successive images are captured by an image capturing system that includes the x-ray tube, the focal spot may change position. To track the change, one or more artificial targets may be arranged relative to the image capturing system such that an initial image is received that includes the artificial targets at a first position in the initial image. A gain map may be generated based on the initial image, and applied to a subsequent image received that also includes the artificial targets to generate a normalized subsequent image. A shift of the artificial targets from the first position in the initial image to a second position in the normalized subsequent image may be identified, where the shift corresponds to the focal spot's position change. Mathematical and/or physical adjustments may be made to correct for the change.

Abstract: A method for treating OAB in a female patient includes positioning a visualization scope in the patent's vagina; advancing a guide wire through a working channel of a visualization scope, until a tissue penetrating distal tip of the guide wire advances out of the working channel and penetrates a wall of the superior portion of the vagina; continuing to advance the guidewire tip submucosally through the wall of the vagina, until it is positioned within tissue of the bladder trigone; advancing a balloon dilation catheter over the guidewire until a balloon carried on a distal end portion of the balloon dilation catheter is positioned proximate the distal tip of the guidewire within the bladder trigone tissue; and inflating said balloon to form a first dissection plane between separated layers of tissue within the bladder trigone.

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: 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: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: A method for processing breast tissue image data includes processing image data of a patient's breast tissue to generate a high-dimensional grid depicting one or more high-dimensional objects in the patient's breast tissue; determining a probability or confidence of each of the one or more high-dimensional objects depicted in the high-dimensional grid; and modifying one or more aspects of at least one of the one or more high-dimensional objects based at least in part on its respective determined probability or confidence to thereby generate a lower-dimensional format version of the one or more high-dimensional objects. The method may further include displaying the lower-dimensional format version of the one or more high-dimensional objects in a synthesized image of the patient's breast tissue.

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: A draping system for use with a medical apparatus, such as a prone breast biopsy system. The draping system may be in the form of a kit ready to be installed on the medical apparatus and may include one or more of a first drape, a second drape, and a third drape. The first drape may include a mat and a protuberance, the mat and the protuberance being coupled together. The protuberance may be configured to receive a paddle mount of the medical apparatus. The mat may have a distal end configured to be secured to a breast support platform of the medical apparatus just below an image receptor. The second drape may include a mat having a distal end configured to be mounted on a compression paddle of the medical apparatus. The third drape may be configured to be inserted over the control panel of the medical apparatus.

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.