356 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.