Breast compression and imaging systems and methods

Abstract

A compression paddle with a plurality of markers is advanced towards a patients breast which has been positioned on a support platform for an imaging procedure. An initial position of the compressionpaddle is detected relative to the support platform when a portion of the breast is contacted. An initial marker is identified which is associated with a feature of the breast when the compression paddle is in the initial position. A compression target marker is based at least in part on the initial position and the initial marker.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application was filed as a PCT International Patent Application on May 22, 2019, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 676,472, filed May 25, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety This article. 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) separates breast tissue from the chest wall Bring out into the imaging exposure field, allowing more tissue to be imaged....

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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