Abstract: The present application relates to a heatable system suitable for use in a patient contacting plate used in medical imaging. The system comprises a heatable laminated structure with a plurality of layers each of which is transparent to imaging radiation and allows for thermal transfer. A heater layer, located between two of the plurality of layers, comprises an electrically resistive material and is transparent to imaging radiation. The laminated structure further includes a conductive path suitable for use in coupling a voltage source to the electrically resistive material in the heatable laminated structure, whereby the laminated structure is heated when current is passing through the conductive path. Also disclosed is a compression plate system and an imaging medical device comprising the heatable system. Methods of making the heatable system and of using it in medical imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to a heatable system suitable for use in a patient contacting plate used in medical imaging. The system comprises a heatable laminated structure with a plurality of layers each of which is transparent to imaging radiation and allows for thermal transfer. A heater layer, located between two of the plurality of layers, comprises an electrically resistive material and is transparent to imaging radiation. The laminated structure further includes a conductive path suitable for use in coupling a voltage source to the electrically resistive material in the heatable laminated structure, whereby the laminated structure is heated when current is passing through the conductive path. Also disclosed is a compression plate system and an imaging medical device comprising the heatable system. Methods of making the heatable system and of using it in medical imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method a method of making a material for thermal cores and the material so made. In particular, the present invention disclose a method including the steps of applying thermally conductive particles over at least a portion of a fiber layer, providing another fiber layer upon the fiber layer, and repeating the above steps as desired. In another aspect of the present invention is disclosed a method of making a thermally conductive material including applying thermally conductive particles upon at least a portion of a fiber prepreg layer, providing another fiber prepreg layer upon the fiber layer, repeating the above steps as desired, and bonding the fiber prepreg layers, including the thermally conductive particles, together. The material in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of layers made of thermally conductive fibers bonded by a resin, and a plurality of interposed layers of resin having a high concentration of high conductivity particles therein.