Method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of compressed objects
US7286632B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B6/544
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining a degree of deflection in a breast compression plate. The mammography apparatus further includes an optical measuring device. The method and apparatus involve (a) providing a pattern on the breast compression plate, the pattern being imagable by the optical measuring device, and having a plurality of local pattern indicia; (b) adjusting the breast compression plate to a selected height; (c) imaging the breast compression plate using the optical measuring device to provide an image of the pattern, the image having a plurality of local image indicia including an associated local image indicia for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia; and (d) for each local pattern indicia in the plurality of local pattern indicia, determining an associated local deflection of the breast compression plate from the associated local image indicia.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.