Breast compression paddle with access corners

US11672493B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HOLOGIC, INC. · US

Inventors

• Melissa Banks · Marlborough, US
• Mallory Anne Berko · Marlborough, US
• Frank Cable · Chicopee, US
• Tarpit Patel · Farmington, US
• Kenneth F. DeFreitas · Patterson, US
• Timothy R. Stango · Sandy Hook, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2023
• Expiry date: Oct 4, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B6/025
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a breast compression paddle for a mammographic/tomosynthesis imaging system. The paddle including a front wall which is adjacent an imaged patient's chest. The bottom wall which is connected to a curved lower interface extends away from the chest wall and is adjacent to the top of a compressed breast. Two outer edges which extend away from the front reference surface, partially define a slightly raised central portion of the bottom wall. A bottom reference plane, a vertical reference plane substantially orthogonal to the front reference surface and the bottom reference plane, and an access surface disposed proximate at least one of the two outer edge portions are each defined by the bottom wall. The access surface is non-orthogonal to the front reference surface, the bottom reference plane, and the vertical reference plane.