Breast compression paddle utilizing foam

Abstract

While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects aleading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application was filed as a PCT International Patent Application on May 24, 2019, and claims the benefit of priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 676,609, filed May 25, 2018, filed September 18, 2018 U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 732,771 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 814,041, filed March 5, 2019, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background technique [0003] Compression during mammography and tomosynthesis imaging serves multiple purposes. For example, it: (1) thins the breast in the direction of the X-ray flux, thereby reducing the radiation exposure of the patient from the level required to image the thicker portion of the uncompressed breast; More uniform thickness in the direction of the flux, which facilitates more uniform exposure across the image plane across the breast image; (3) immobilizes the breast during X-ray exposure, thereby reducing image blur; (4) s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Another known challenge is ensuring that the imaging field includes the desired amount of breast tissue

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