Mammography system and method employing offset compression paddles, automatic collimation, and retractable anti-scatter grid
US7443949B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/1069
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A mammographic imaging system (1) is optimizd for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor (5). It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in the field of view of the image receptor (5). When a compression paddle (2) with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used, the compression paddle (2) can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic X-ray collimator (40) restricts the X-ray illumination (30) of the breast (3) in accordance with compression paddle (2) size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid (4), mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.