Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a patient's breast when using an X-ray mammography machine to take an image wherein said machine has a compression paddle and a bucky. A movable interface plate controllable by linear actuators is mounted on the bucky as an interface between the bucky and a patient's breast. The method includes steps wherein the compression paddle is moved downwardly to provide compression forces on the breast; the movement of the compression paddle is stopped at a position where less than the full desired compression of the breast is attained. Next, the movable interface plate is elevated under control of the linear actuators, upwardly against the breast to obtain the full desired compression. The upward movement of the interface plate functions to distribute and balance the compression and shear forces applied to the breast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a patient's breast when using an X-ray mammography machine to take an image wherein said machine has a compression paddle and a bucky. A movable interface plate is mounted on the bucky as an interface between the bucky and a patient's breast. The method includes a step wherein the compression paddle is moved downwardly to provide compression forces on the breast; the movement of the compression paddle is stopped at a position where less than the full desired compression of the breast is attained. Next, the movable interface plate is elevated upwardly against the breast to obtain the full desired compression. The upward movement of the interface plate functions to distribute and balance the compression and shear forces applied to the breast.