Abstract: An imaging system housing is provided which includes a body and a scanning plate. The body defines a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. The body includes one of a lip or groove formation extending from peripheral zone adjacent the opening in a direction away from or towards the cavity and transverse to a plane defined by the opening. The scanning plate is shaped and dimensioned to close the opening and has the other of a groove or lip formation extending along a periphery thereof and being shaped and dimensioned to cooperate with and receive the lip or groove formation of the body. The scanning plate is made from a low surface energy plastic material. The body and plate are bonded together using a structural acrylic adhesive applied to one or both of the lip and groove formations. The imaging system may be a dual-modality imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system housing is provided which includes a body and a scanning plate. The body defines a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. The body includes one of a lip or groove formation extending from peripheral zone adjacent the opening in a direction away from or towards the cavity and transverse to a plane defined by the opening. The scanning plate is shaped and dimensioned to close the opening and has the other of a groove or lip formation extending along a periphery thereof and being shaped and dimensioned to cooperate with and receive the lip or groove formation of the body. The scanning plate is made from a low surface energy plastic material. The body and plate are bonded together using a structural acrylic adhesive applied to one or both of the lip and groove formations. The imaging system may be a dual-modality imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging assembly, system and method for automated multimodal imaging of biological tissue is provided. It finds particular application, although in no way exclusively, in the medical imaging of breast tissue. An optical 3D scanner is included to determine the shape of the surface of both breasts and output a plurality of 3D coordinates thereof. An X-ray generator is included for sequentially radiating X-rays at a plurality of angles, through the tissue, toward an X-ray detector positioned below the patient and thus the breasts. An articulated arm holding an ultrasound transducer at an end thereof automatically moves the ultrasound transducer along a path defined by the obtained 3D coordinates for ultrasound imaging of the breasts while maintaining the transducer in contact with the surface at an orientation required for ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A scanning assembly for a dual-modality automated biological tissue imaging device having first and second compression surfaces is provided. The assembly comprises a housing defining a scanning/compression surface, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing adjacent the scanning surface for movement in a plane parallel to the scanning surface and imaging the tissue through the scanning surface, an X-ray detector mounted within the housing for forming an X-ray image of the tissue based on X-ray radiation passed through the tissue and scanning surface from an X-ray source, and a drive for moving the transducer across the scanning surface so that the transducer generates a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound tissue images. The housing is hermetically sealed and filled with non-conductive fluid with acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue. The scanning surface has acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue and can substantially withstand compression forces applied to the tissue.

Abstract: A scanning assembly for a dual-modality automated biological tissue imaging device having first and second compression surfaces is provided. The system comprises a housing defining a scanning/compression surface, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing adjacent the scanning surface for movement in a plane parallel to the scanning surface and imaging the tissue through the scanning surface, an X-ray detector mounted within the housing for forming an X-ray image of the tissue based on X-ray radiation passed through the tissue and scanning surface from an X-ray source, and a drive for moving the transducer across the scanning surface so that the transducer generates a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound tissue images. The housing is hermetically sealed and filled with non-conductive fluid with acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue. The scanning surface has acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue and can substantially withstand compression forces applied to the tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to a scanning apparatus for imaging the breast that employs both X-ray and ultrasound technologies to enhance the diagnosis of cancer. There is provided a method for acquiring and co-registering the X-ray and ultrasound images in three-dimensional space, so that: the breast is in the same orientation and degree of compression when X-ray and ultrasound images are obtained; both sets of images are acquired simultaneously so as to minimize the time the woman's breast is held stationary; automated breast ultrasound images of the whole breast are acquired in a single scan; both image modalities are acquired in three dimensions; and radiation dose exposure to the woman is minimized. The method incorporates, in a single device, a system for acquiring full-field digital mammography and automated breast ultrasound images, and an algorithm for performing digital tomosynthesis reconstruction using these images.