Abstract: Provided are methods and devices that pertain to the acquisition of data related to breast vascularity associated with breast cancer, use of data, or both, that are associated with the generation of sounds, including Korotkoff sounds, within a breast. The present methods and devices overcome the inherent limitations associated with x-ray absorption (upon which mammography relies) by the breast tissue of younger women, and may also be used to augment traditional single-parameter (visual) analysis of a breast through the use of a new parameter—sound. Also disclosed are databases comprising breast sounds that may be used to provide a more complete assessment of a patient's breast, either alone or in combination with the traditional visual parameter.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices that pertain to the acquisition of data related to breast vascularity associated with breast cancer, use of data, or both, that are associated with the generation of sounds, including Korotkoff sounds, within a breast. The present methods and devices overcome the inherent limitations associated with x-ray absorption (upon which mammography relies) by the breast tissue of younger women, and may also be used to augment traditional single-parameter (visual) analysis of a breast through the use of a new parameter—sound. Also disclosed are databases comprising breast sounds that may be used to provide a more complete assessment of a patient's breast, either alone or in combination with the traditional visual parameter.

Abstract: Provided are systems using compression devices for a mammography unit, and methods of using the same. The instant mammography units can comprise at least one x-ray transparent inflatable chamber. When fluid is introduced into the chamber, at least one surface of the chamber expands, and the breast and its vasculature are compressed. Fluid may also be released from the chamber, and as the chamber deflates, blood flow to the breast is restored, producing Korotkoff sounds. Sound data may be obtained with respect to both of a patient's breasts, and the sound data from a patient's first breast may be compared with the data obtained from the contralateral breast. The detected sounds, the comparison data, or both may assist a radiologist in identifying regions of interest on a mammogram, and to enhance a computer-assisted detection (CAD) process and a database of mammography images.

Abstract: Provided are systems using compression devices for a mammography unit, and methods of using the same, for example, in conjunction with imaging of a patient's breast. The instant mammography units can comprise at least one x-ray transparent inflatable chamber for containing a fluid. When fluid is introduced into the chamber, at least one surface of the chamber expands, breast motion is limited, and the breast and its vasculature are compressed. Fluid may also be released from the chamber, and as the chamber deflates, blood flow to the breast is restored, producing Korotkoff sounds that may be detected by a sound detection device. The detected sounds may be used to assist a radiologist in identifying regions of interest on a mammogram, and additionally or alternatively may be used to a enhance a computer-assisted detection (CAD) process by contributing an additional data parameter.

Abstract: Provided are systems using compression devices for a mammography unit, and methods of using the same, for example, in conjunction with imaging of a patient's breast. The instant mammography units can comprise at least one x-ray transparent inflatable chamber for containing a fluid. When fluid is introduced into the chamber, at least one surface of the chamber expands, breast motion is limited, and the breast and its vasculature are compressed. Fluid may also be released from the chamber, and as the chamber deflates, blood flow to the breast is restored, producing Korotkoff sounds that may be detected by a sound detection device. Sound data may be obtained with respect to both of a patient's breasts, and the sound data from a patient's first breast may be compared with the data obtained from the contralateral breast.

Abstract: Mammography units comprising a compression device, a light transparent panel displaced from a compression surface, and a bolster, as well as compression paddles for use with mammography units are described. Methods for their use in reducing patient discomfort during mammography are also described.

Abstract: Compression devices and mammography units using the same, and methods of using the same during imaging of a patient's breast are provided. The devices compress the breast against a bucky without the need for a traditional mammography unit compression paddle. The devices comprise at least one x-ray transparent inflatable chamber for containing a fluid, for example, a pressurized gas. In use, at least one surface of the chamber expands in the direction of the bucky. The devices secure the breast to the bucky by wrapping over the tube-side surface of the breast. Compressed air, for example, can be introduced, manually or automatically, to inflate the chamber. As the chamber expands, breast motion is limited and the breast is compressed against the surface of the bucky.

Abstract: A mammography comfort device comprises a compressible bolster and a separate x-ray transparent compressible pad. The bolster, affixed to the sides of a bucky, retains the pad on the imaging surface. A radiopaque identifier permanently affixed to the pad imparts information about the pad onto a mammogram. The comfort device can be used with an x-ray transparent disposable cover. A kit comprising at least two disposable covers and a comfort device can be supplied. A separate stretchable retainer holds a breast on the bucky and serves as an exposure equalizer. A compression paddle adapted with a bolster and a light transparent panel facilitates proper placement of a breast for compression. When the bolster comprises sections having different identification force deflection values the panel angles to the approximate shape of a compressed breast to distribute compression force more evenly. A vented panel provides for passage of warm air for patient comfort.

Abstract: Devices for use with a mammography unit and for patient comfort comprise an x-ray transparent compressible material and a radiopaque identifier which imparts information onto a mammogram about physical and other characteristics of the material that affect image quality. The identifier is generally affixed to the material, and, for example, it can be sealed within the material. The material substantially conforms to patient contact surfaces of a cassette holder (bucky) or a compression paddle and, in one example, contains openings to accommodate passage of a cassette therethrough. The devices are for single use or reusable. X-ray transparent disposable covers used over the devices can also have a radiopaque identifier keyed to desired information about, for example, physical and other characteristics of the material that affect image quality. All information appears away from the breast image.

Abstract: Comfort devices for use with a mammography unit cassette holder comprising a compressible material that substantially conforms to patient-contact surfaces of the cassette holder are provided. Openings are included in one example for passing a mammography unit cassette through. Cassette holders for use with mammography units are also provided comprising patient-contact surfaces and a compressible material integral to said patient-contact surfaces. Methods for reducing patient discomfort during a mammogram by using these comfort devices and cassette holders are also included. Mammography units are equipped with cassette holders and comfort devices to cushion the breast during compression and also change the shape of the compressed breast for repeat imaging without patient repositioning.

Abstract: Comfort devices for use with a mammography unit and for patient comfort comprising an x-ray transparent compressible material and a partially radiopaque identifier. The identifier can comprise indicia which imparts information about the comfort device onto a mammogram. The material can substantially conform to patient contact surfaces of a cassette holder and, in one example, openings can be included for passing a mammography unit cassette through for insertion into the cassette holder. The indicia can provide properties of the compressible material which can affect image quality. An identifier can impart information onto a mammogram in an area away from the breast image and can serve to alert a viewer that image quality may have been compromised by cushioning material. Comfort devices can also be used with a mammography unit compression paddle. The indicia appear in a second area of the mammogram and serve to alert the viewer that the compression paddle was cushioned.

Abstract: Comfort devices for use with a mammography unit cassette holder comprising a compressible material that substantially conforms to patient-contact surfaces of the cassette holder are provided. Openings are included in one example for passing a mammography unit cassette through. Cassette holders for use with mammography units are also provided comprising patient-contact surfaces and a compressible material integral to said patient-contact surfaces. Methods for reducing patient discomfort during a mammogram by using these comfort devices and cassette holders are also included. Mammography units are equipped with cassette holders and comfort devices to cushion the breast during compression and also change the shape of the compressed breast for repeat imaging without patient repositioning.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing and recording the performance of mammography compression devices are shown to include compression phantoms to which the compression force is applied and the compression phantom is imaged. The compression phantoms are provided with compression force measurement features for radiographically determining the performance of the mammography compression device in terms of the magnitude of the compression force applied to the compression phantoms.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using film density measurements of a radiograph to monitor the reproducibility of x-ray exposure parameters used by a mammography unit to make the radiograph are disclosed. Radiographic images of a breast phantom and a novel mammography beam quality phantom are formed simultaneously on a film using a single x-ray exposure. The mammography beam quality phantom comprises at least a first section and a second section formed from materials having different x-ray attenuation properties and thicknesses. For any combination of x-ray exposure parameters useful for film mammography, including the parameters of kilovoltage peak, dose, and half value layer, the material from which the first section is formed is selected so that the optical density produced by the first section of the mammography beam quality phantom is greater than the optical density produced by the breast phantom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting the effect on image quality of a film processor which develops a radiographic image of a structure of interest on a film having an emulsion is disclosed. Such methods and apparatus include shielding a first portion of the film along one edge from the x-ray energy used for imaging the structure of interest and impressing a first calibrated test pattern on the first portion of the film. The first pattern includes a first calibrated graded stepwise density pattern having density positions. The density pattern is produced by visible light. A first plurality of symbols is located adjacent the first pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of the density positions. A control film of similar emulsion as the emulsion of the image film is provided and impressed with a second calibrated test pattern along one edge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting the effect on image quality of a film processor which develops a radiographic image of a structure of interest on a film having an emulsion is disclosed. Such methods and apparatus include shielding a first portion of the film along one edge from the x-ray energy used for imaging the structure of interest and impressing a first calibrated test pattern on the first portion of the film. The first pattern includes a first calibrated graded stepwise density pattern having density positions. The density pattern is produced by visible light. A first plurality of symbols is located adjacent the first pattern, wherein each symbol indicates the magnitude of one of the density positions. A control film of similar emulsion as the emulsion of the image film is provided and impressed with a second calibrated test pattern along one edge.

Abstract: The invention set forth methods and apparatus for correcting the effect on image quality of a film processor having the steps of shielding a first portion along one edge of a film from x-ray energy and impressing, on the first portion, a first calibrated test pattern having a first calibrated graded stepwise density pattern made from visible light. A first plurality of symbols located adjacent the first pattern to indicate the magnitude of one of the density positions. Impressed along one edge of a control film, a second calibrated test pattern, which includes a second calibrated graded stepwise density pattern made from visible light. A second plurality of symbols are provided adjacent the second pattern to indicate the magnitude of one of the density positions. The performance of the film processor used to develop both films is measured and affected by comparing and noting the symbols associated with those density positions between the first and second test patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining film processor performance. Films for use in radiographic imaging, adapted to evaluate performance of a film processor which develops an image of a structure of interest on the films are provided. The films have exposable areas for radiographically imaging the structure of interest, and test means integrally located on the exposable areas for determining the performance of the processor which develops the radiographic image on the film.

Abstract: A volume reducer for liquid scintillation counting is adapted to be used with an outer scintillation-counting vial and includes an elongate member adapted to be inserted into the vial. The elongate member has a bottom surface and a peripheral side surface and the side surface is spaced inwardly from an inner side surface of the vial to define an annular chamber in which the scintillation fluid is adapted to be retained. In certain embodiments the annular chamber is varied to either isolate certain segments thereof from each other or provide segments having differing volumes. The combination of the reducer and vial, as well as methods for preparing a scintillation fluid for testing also constitute parts of the instant invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to syringe loading shields for use with syringes during the drawing, calibration and injection of aliquots of radioactive materials. Each syringe loading shield is provided with means for shielding radiation emanating from the mouth of the vial during the material-withdrawal, syringe loading process. In a preferred embodiment, the syringe loading shield comprises a radiation detector for detecting and calibrating the radioactive dosage of the material which is drawn into the syringe barrel. In the preferred embodiment, a substantially tubular syringe shield coupleable to a mouth shield-detector assembly is disclosed which facilitates the drawing, calibration and injection of radioactive materials without exposing the radio-pharmacists to unshielded materials.