Abstract: A diagnostic assembly (30, 320) and method for detecting a presence of cancer in a breast of a patient. The diagnostic assembly (20, 320) comprises a frame (22, 322), at least one cold bar (26, 326, 426) supported by the frame (22, 322) for receiving a hand of the patient, and a temperature controller (72) in communication with the cold bar (26, 326, 426) to maintain a constant temperature of the cold bar (26, 326, 426). The method comprises the steps of cooling at least one hand of the patient and recording a test thermal image of the breast of the patient after the hand of the patient has been cooled. The step of cooling the hand of the patient includes receiving the hand of the patient on the cold bar (26, 326, 426) to transfer heat from the hand of the patient to the cold bar (26, 326, 426), and maintaining the cold bar (26, 326, 426) at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus (20) for detecting a presence of breast cancer in a patient disposed in a testing position. The diagnostic apparatus (20) includes a housing (44) and a camera assembly (58) that is supported by the housing (44) for recording images of the breasts of the patient. A rail (76) is supported by and extends from the housing (44) and terminates at a pair of rail ends (80). A trolley (88) interconnects the camera assembly (58) and the rail (76) and is slideable along said rail (76) for providing movement of the camera assembly (58) along the rail (76) between the rail ends (80) for allowing the camera assembly (58) to consecutively record images at different positions along the rail (76) and to record images of the lymph nodes of the patient when the camera assembly (58) is disposed adjacent to the rail ends (80) in alignment with the sides of the breasts of the patient.

Abstract: A method of examining breasts of a patient in an examination room to detect for potential breast cancer includes sliding a camera assembly along a rail between a pair of rail ends on a horizontal plane between a plurality of positions. A plurality of control thermographic images and a plurality of test thermographic images are recorded during the sliding movement to allow the camera assembly to consecutively record the control and test thermographic images of breasts of the patient from each of the plurality of positions. The camera assembly is slid to first and second optimal positions that are each disposed adjacent to one of the rail ends and in alignment with first and second sides of the breasts of the patient to capture images of the lymph nodes on the sides of the breasts.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus (20) for detecting a presence of breast cancer in a patient disposed in a testing position. The diagnostic apparatus (20) includes a housing (44) and a camera assembly (58) that is supported by the housing (44) for recording images of the breasts of the patient. A rail (76) is supported by and extends from the housing (44) and terminates at a pair of rail ends (80). A trolley (88) interconnects the camera assembly (58) and the rail (76) and is slideable along said rail (76) for providing movement of the camera assembly (58) along the rail (76) between the rail ends (80) for allowing the camera assembly (58) to consecutively record images at different positions along the rail (76) and to record images of the lymph nodes of the patient when the camera assembly (58) is disposed adjacent to the rail ends (80) in alignment with the sides of the breasts of the patient.

Abstract: A method of examining breasts of a patient in an examination room to detect for potential breast cancer includes sliding a camera assembly along a rail between a pair of rail ends on a horizontal plane between a plurality of positions. A plurality of control thermographic images and a plurality of test thermographic images are recorded during the sliding movement to allow the camera assembly to consecutively record the control and test thermographic images of breasts of the patient from each of the plurality of positions. The camera assembly is slid to first and second optimal positions that are each disposed adjacent to one of the rail ends and in alignment with first and second sides of the breasts of the patient to capture images of the lymph nodes on the sides of the breasts.

Abstract: A diagnostic assembly (30, 320) and method for detecting a presence of cancer in a breast of a patient. The diagnostic assembly (20, 320) comprises a frame (22, 322), at least one cold bar (26, 326, 426) supported by the frame (22, 322) for receiving a hand of the patient, and a temperature controller (72) in communication with the cold bar (26, 326, 426) to maintain a constant temperature of the cold bar (26, 326, 426). The method comprises the steps of cooling at least one hand of the patient and recording a test thermal image of the breast of the patient after the hand of the patient has been cooled. The step of cooling the hand of the patient includes receiving the hand of the patient on the cold bar (26, 326, 426) to transfer heat from the hand of the patient to the cold bar (26, 326, 426), and maintaining the cold bar (26, 326, 426) at a preselected temperature.