362 results about "Mammography" patented technology

Techniques are provided for generating three-dimensional images, such as may be used in mammography. In accordance with these techniques, projection images of an object of interest are acquired from different locations, such as by moving an X-ray source along an arbitrary imaging trajectory between emissions or by individually activating different X-ray sources located at different locations relative to the object of interest. The projection images may be reconstructed to generate a three-dimensional dataset representative of the object from which one or more volumes may be selected for visualization and display. Additional processing steps may occur throughout the image chain, such as for pre-processing the projection images or post-processing the three-dimensional dataset.

Techniques are provided for generating three-dimensional images, such as may be used in mammography. In accordance with these techniques, projection images of an object of interest are acquired from different locations, such as by moving an X-ray source along an arbitrary imaging trajectory between emissions or by individually activating different X-ray sources located at different locations relative to the object of interest. The projection images may be reconstructed to generate a three-dimensional dataset representative of the object from which one or more volumes may be selected for visualization and display. Additional processing steps may occur throughout the image chain, such as for pre-processing the projection images or post-processing the three-dimensional dataset.

A x-ray diagnostic apparatus for mammography examinations has a support arm is supported in a bearing such that it can pivot around a substantially horizontal axis, and on which are arranged an arm provided with an x-ray source, a mounting provided with an x-ray receiver and a compression device. The arm, the mounting and the compression device can be mutually pivoted with the support arm around the horizontal axis. Additionally the arm and the mounting can be pivoted relative to the compression device around the horizontal axis and the arm can be pivoted relative to the mounting and the compression device around the horizontal axis.

An improved system for mammography analysis and methods of using the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides a biopsy instrument having a side opening that generally coexists or is aligned with a central portion of a cyst, tissue or otherwise for deploying a marking device to the central region of the same. In another aspect, the present invention provides an encasement, adapted to receive a marking clip, for deployment into a tissue region for marking and / or treatment of the same.

A x-ray diagnostic apparatus for mammography examinations has a support arm is supported in a bearing such that it can pivot around a substantially horizontal axis, and on which are arranged an arm provided with an x-ray source, a mounting provided wit an x-ray receiver and a compression device. The arm, the mounting and the compression device can be mutually pivoted with the support arm around the horizontal axis. Additionally the arm and the mounting can be pivoted relative to the compression device around the horizontal axis and the arm can be pivoted relative to the mounting and the compression device around the horizontal axis.

The present embodiments relate to a mammograph system with a face shield. The mammography system includes an X-ray emitter head; an object table; and a face shield. The face shield is movably supported by the X-ray emitter head and is movable into at least first and second positions. In the first position, the face shield is retracted into the X-ray emitter head. In the second position, at least a portion of the face shield protrudes out of the X-ray emitter head.

A shielding arrangement for an x-ray apparatus, preferably for mammography examination is disclosed, and comprises at least an x-ray source, a collimator arrangement and a detector assembly, whereby the collimator is arranged between the x-ray source and the detector assembly and through which x-rays pass. The shielding arrangement, at least partly made of x-ray blocking material and provided for blocking, scattering and / or reflecting x-rays is arranged, at least partly, in a space between the x-ray source and collimator.

Methods for localizing a biopsy site are disclosed. The method includes taking a tissue sample from a biopsy site and positioning a detectable, bioabsorbable element at the biopsy site at the time that the tissue sample was taken. The tissue sample is then tested. The biopsy site is then relocated by finding the bioabsorbable element. The bioabsorbable element may be made of collagen, gelatin, cellulose, polylactic acid, and / or polyglycolic acid. The detectable bioabsorbable element may be relocated using ultrasound or mammography. The bioabsorbable element may also swell upon contact with body fluid.

Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking 412 devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques. Also disclosed is a method for remotely detecting the location of a sentinel node by (1) depositing a remotely detectable fluid in or around a lesion for migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node and (2) remotely detecting the location of that node with a minimum of trauma and toxicity to the patient. The composition and method may serve to mark a biopsy cavity, as well as mark the sentinel lymph node. The marking methods also may combine any of the features as described with the marking device and delivery device.

The invention relates to the mammography devices based on registration of a reduced-angle coherently scattered radiation when an object is rayed by a penetrating radiation. Registration of the radiation coherently scattered by an object allows to produce an image of an object in the form of distribution of its structural characteristics. The device comprises a system for forming a directed on a tested object, narrow small-divergence beams, or a beam, having the same characteristics, and a system for extracting the radiation that is coherently scattered in small angles by an object. The invention proposes versions of a device that also provide for registration of the radiation passed through an object to make allowance for its thickness so that to obviate the necessity to compress the breast. The device allows to carry out relative movements of an object and system of irradiation-registration, as well as irradiate an object at different angles and by a number of radiation sources simultaneously. The possibility to register the coherently scattered radiation in ultra-small angles within the range of several angular seconds to 0.5 degree, and also the possibility to form the primary radiation beam having a sharp boundary are provided as well.

A mammography system including a compression device, comprising two compression members to compress a breast, a sensor to sense the pressure exerted by the breast on one of the members and / or a device to determine the distance between the two members, an X-ray image acquisition system, means to adjust an initial position of the members. The system further comprises means to monitor variations in pressure and / or variations in thickness relative to their initial value, for an estimation of the risk of breast movement. The system further comprises means to present the user with information signalling breast movement, in relation to the estimation.

Method of segmenting mammography image comprising steps of: scanning along row from outermost pixel towards the breast and comparing grayscale gradient across adjacent pixels until a significant gradient is determined; confirming that variation in gradient indicates a first true boundary pixel by ascertaining gradient across subsequent pixels is still significant;iteratively repeating steps of:(i) scanning next adjacent line in vicinity of boundary pixel, and(ii) determining the boundary pixel of adjacent line by variation in grayscale intensity gradient along row(iii) until failure to find subsequent pixel occurs and(iv) attempting scanning horizontally by repeating steps (i) and (ii), and, if attempt fails, extrapolating to edge of image or to first line, until having determined boundary around the feature to one side of first line;repeating steps (i) to (iv) on other side of line until boundary of breast on the other side of the line is determined.

The present invention uses a common, hybrid system platform to provide a generalized medical image processing system that can handle the existing medical image application as it is and route the compute intensive medical image processing to a multi-core processor / processing system. The invention allows the processing platform to be shared among healthcare system such as mammography, X-ray, CT Scan MRI, two-photon, laser microscopy, digital pathology, etc. It also allows the processing platform to deliver medical images to a variety of client devices, such as a desktop computer or a handheld device, through the network without high-performance graphical display capabilities because the rendering of the medical images is performed on the Cell BE based platform of the invention.

Systems and methods are provided by which a mammography imaging system offers X-ray and ultrasound imaging that allows sharing of common hardware such as the computer and display. Small regions of interest are imaged with X-ray at higher image quality by using a second sensor with higher DQE than the full-field sensor can obtain. In some embodiments a specialized chamber is provided for securing the anatomy to a fixed location, ultrasound image data is collected along with ultrasound probe location and orientation data from sensors on a handheld probe from which data images can be viewed directly, or used to reconstruct tomographic images of any desired cross-section, or used for various “3-D” image visualization methods. An imaging schedule defined by location and orientation of an ultrasound probe is used to generate a three-dimensional ultrasound image.

In a mammography method and a mammography apparatus to generate x-ray images of a breast, a support unit is positioned between the breasts. In the support unit two x-ray detectors are arranged with acquisition surfaces that are flat and parallel to one another. The acquisition surfaces face away from one another and respectively toward one of the breasts. At least one x-ray image of each breast is acquired while both breasts are simultaneously pressed against the support unit.

Comfort devices for use with a mammography unit cassette holder comprising a compressible material that substantially conforms to patient-contact surfaces of the cassette holder are provided. Openings are included in one example for passing a mammography unit cassette through. Cassette holders for use with mammography units are also provided comprising patient-contact surfaces and a compressible material integral to said patient-contact surfaces. Methods for reducing patient discomfort during a mammogram by using these comfort devices and cassette holders are also included. Mammography units are equipped with cassette holders and comfort devices to cushion the breast during compression and also change the shape of the compressed breast for repeat imaging without patient repositioning.

In accordance with embodiments of the present technique, a combined mammography and ultrasound imaging system is provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe, which transmits ultrasound signals to a breast of a patient and receives reflected ultrasound signals from the breast. The system further includes a first acoustic coupling sheath. A first side of the first acoustic coupling sheath is coupled to a face of the ultrasound probe. The system also includes a mammography compression plate for compressing the breast of the patient. A second acoustic coupling sheath coupled to a side of the mammography compression plate contacts the breast of the patient.

Apparatus and method for performing interstitial laser therapy and adjunctive therapy on a patient are revealed. The apparatus employs a combination of a mammography unit, an interstitial laser treatment device attached to the mammography unit and a treatment platform positioned relative to the mammography unit to enable the interstitial laser therapy to be performed. The use of the treatment platform with the mammography unit enables the interstitial laser therapy to be performed and, if necessary, adjunctive therapy to be performed in the same treatment room without transferring the patient to a new platform.

A mammography scanning system having a detector includes an arc-shaped support system having a number of X-ray emitters coupled thereto. The X-ray emitters generate a plurality of X-ray fluxes towards a common focus at varying angles with respect to the focus. Also, each of the X-ray emitters is collimated to view an entire detector field of view.

In a method and a device for generating a digital tomosynthetic 3D X-ray image of an examined object, a number of individual images are made of the examined object at different projection angles relative to the normal of the patient examination table by moving the X-ray tube. In a starting position, the X-ray tube is operated with a dose that is lower than that used for subsequent individual images. At least one preliminary image is recorded at the starting position, which is then evaluated to determine the radiographic parameters required for the recording of the subsequent individual images.

In a mammography system including a face guard, it is possible to prevent a human subject whose head is in close contact with the face guard from losing her posture and being in an unstable state. In a mammography system which includes a shield member for preventing radiation from being irradiated onto the face of the human subject, a radiation source which irradiates radiation is moved, such that, when radiation in two radiographing directions is irradiated from two focal positions distant from the chest wall of the human subject in a forward direction, the shield member is configured to be fixed at a predetermined position in the forward direction without being interlocking with the movement of the radiation source.

A mammography apparatus capable of irradiating radiation having enough irradiation dose to radiograph an image surely. The mammography apparatus has: a radiation source; a subject platform for supporting a subject so as to face the subject to the radiation source; a radiation image detector located so as to be faced to the radiation source with respect to the subject platform for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject; a controller for controlling the radiation source; wherein the controller sets an irradiation condition of the radiation to be irradiated from the radiation source based on control conditions including at least thickness of the subject and a distance from the radiation source to the subject platform.

The present invention relates to mammography. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a corresponding system for individually monitoring a compression force in an apparatus for mammographic examination for personalized compression guidance. In order to provide a personalized guidance for the compression of the breast in a first step (S1a, S1b, S1c) a breast contact area (A) between a breast under examination and a compression plate (3) or a support plate (15) is determined. In a next step (S5) a compression force limit is determined based on the breast contact area (A). Then, in a further step (S9a, S9b, S9c) an output signal (5) representative of the relation between the breast contact area (A) and the compression force limit is provided to a user such that the user may decide whether to complete or to continue the application of compression force.

A method, system, and software are provided for joint reconstruction of three-dimensional images using multiple imaging modalities. In an exemplary embodiment, the present approach includes providing a first dataset acquired via a first imaging technique or a first image generated from the first dataset, providing a second dataset acquired via a second imaging technique or a second image generated from the second dataset, and generating a volumetric dataset by extracting information from the first and second datasets or images. The first imaging technique may have better resolution than the second imaging technique in a first direction, and the second imaging technique may have better resolution than the first imaging technique in a second direction. There is provided a system and one or more tangible, machine readable media for performing the act of generating the volumetric dataset by extracting information from the first and second datasets or images.

A method for improving disease diagnosis using contrast enhancement presentation comprising: providing an input digital diagnostic image; applying a decomposition filter bank to the input digital diagnostic image; constructing a tone scale curve from the input digital diagnostic image; applying said tone scale curve to the input digital diagnostic image to produce a tone-scaled image; applying a decomposition filter bank to the tone-scaled image; generating the contrast weight control signals from the input digital diagnostic image by extracting the high contrast edge signals at the coarse scale; adjusting the decomposition outputs from both the input image and the tone-scaled image according to the contrast weight control signals; and applying a reconstruction filter bank to the adjusted signals to produce a contrast enhancement presentation output image.

A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses a pulsed X-ray source, a remote X-ray sensor, and a self-contained, display and controller unit to produce, store, and / or display digital radioscopic images of an object under investigation in low voltage imaging environments such as medical applications including mammography and tissue imaging, and industrial radiography of low-density structures, or the like. The radiographic system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An image sensor, i.e., a CCD camera, is configured to sense the visible light from the screen. An aspheric objective lens operable with the CCD camera spatially senses visible light within a collection cone directed outwardly from the image sensor. An emission modification lens layer, e.g., a prismatic brightness enhancement film or a sprayed on transmissive layer, through which the visible light emitted from the screen is transmitted is superposed with the screen and positioned in an optical path between the aspheric lens and the screen for generally focusing the diverging visible light as a restricted cone of illumination propagating outwardly from each point impinged on the screen to increase the fraction of light directed into the collection cone of the first lens and reducing the amount of scattered visible light from the screen.

In a method for medical evaluation in three-dimensional imaging, in particular in mammography, projection exposures of a subject to be examined are generated and are stored in electronic form. Slice images are reconstructed from the projection exposures with a reconstruction method. A physician reviews and medically evaluates the slice images and marks a positive medical finding in the slice image with a first marker. A CAD system medically evaluates the slice images and marks a positive medical finding in the slice image with a second marker. A slice image with a first marker and a second marker deviating from one another is reconsidered and reevaluated by the physician.