An object information acquisition apparatus, comprises a holding member that holds an object and to be movable relative to the object; a position acquirer that acquires information on a position of the object; a first controller that controls a position of the holding member; a measurement unit that receives acoustic waves from the object; a second controller that controls a position of the measurement unit; an information acquirer that acquires information of the object; and a storage unit that stores history information representing information on a contact state of the holding member with the object, wherein the first controller controls the position of the holding member independently of the control performed by the second controller and adjusts the contact state of the holding member with the object based on the history information.

The present disclosure includes support devices configured to be prevent breast deformation during an MRI imaging procedure. One embodiment of a support device comprises a foam insert shaped and sized to rest between a patient's breasts, generally upon the patient's sternum. The support device has a surface configured to engage an imaging modality component (i.e., coil of MRI machine) and prevent and/or minimize contact between the portion of the MRI coil and the pair of breasts when the support device is placed on the surface of the patient, which, in turn, reduces or eliminates any deformation of the breasts upon application of force from the MRI coil in a direction towards the breasts during an MRI imaging procedure. Another embodiment of a support device comprises a rigid cover including an interior cavity having sufficient volume to accommodate and surround each breast, wherein the cover is coupled to a telescoping stand resting upon the MRI table and configured to move between a variety of heights to accommodate different-sized patients. The cover is sufficiently rigid so as to shield the breasts from compression forces and thereby prevent deformation during an MRI imaging procedure.

The present disclosure includes support devices configured to be prevent breast deformation during an MRI imaging procedure. One embodiment of a support device comprises a foam insert shaped and sized to rest between a patient's breasts, generally upon the patient's sternum. The support device has a surface configured to engage an imaging modality component (i.e., coil of MRI machine) and prevent and/or minimize contact between the portion of the MRI coil and the pair of breasts when the support device is placed on the surface of the patient, which, in turn, reduces or eliminates any deformation of the breasts upon application of force from the MRI coil in a direction towards the breasts during an MRI imaging procedure. Another embodiment of a support device comprises a rigid cover including an interior cavity having sufficient volume to accommodate and surround each breast, wherein the cover is coupled to a telescoping stand resting upon the MRI table and configured to move between a variety of heights to accommodate different-sized patients. The cover is sufficiently rigid so as to shield the breasts from compression forces and thereby prevent deformation during an MRI imaging procedure.

A microwave imaging system including a microwave antenna array having a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennas, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals over a range of frequencies so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and wherein the receiving antennas are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part. A processor is configured to obtain a set of scattering parameters for the microwave signals over the range of frequencies and, using the scattering parameters, generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a region of interest within the body part. The processor is further configured to classify the region of interest based on a type of tissue therein by analyzing the change of the scattering parameters for the region of interest over the range of frequencies.

Methods for assessing a health condition of an individual using single coil magnetic induction tomography imaging are provided. A target area for medical imaging on a patient can be identified. A plurality of coil property measurements can be obtained using a single coil. The plurality of coil property measurements can be performed with the single coil at a plurality of discrete locations relative to the target area. The coil property measurements can be processed to generate an image of the conductivity distribution of the target area. The image can be analyzed to assess a health condition of the patient.

An examination portion information obtaining apparatus includes an opening to which a portion to be examined of the examinee is inserted, a cup-shaped maintaining member which accommodates at least part of the portion to be examined inserted through the opening, an acoustic wave detector which receives acoustic waves from the portion to be examined, and a movement mechanism which moves the maintaining member relative to the portion to be examined inserted through the opening.

Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for personalized breast imaging. In aspects, a first set of patient attributes may be collected. The first set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast size, breast thickness, and/or three-dimensional (3D) breast shape. The first set of patient attributes may be used to customize image acquisition parameters for the patient. A second set of patient attributes may also be collected. The second set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast elasticity and breast density. The second set of patient attributes may be used to customize breast compression parameters for the patient. The customized image acquisition parameters and breast compression parameters may then be used to perform one or more procedures (e.g., an imaging procedure, a biopsy procedure, etc.) on the patient's breast.

Described herein are paddles for breast biopsies. A reverse paddle and a compression paddle may be used in a breast biopsy. Both paddles may each have an aperture. When pressed against the breast, the reverse paddle and the compression paddle may allow the breast to bulge out of the aperture of both paddles during the biopsy. As the breast tissue bulges out of both paddles, the breast tissue to be examined via biopsy may be enlarged, thereby lessening the use of excisional biopsies on subjects with thin breasts.

An imaging interface for diffuse optical tomography of breast includes a plurality of concentric rings. Each concentric ring can include a plurality of optical input/output apertures arranged on a radially inner surface thereof. The rings can have different inner and outer diameters from each other and can be arranged in a stacked configuration. The rings can translate independently of each other along a central axis of the stack. During imaging the breast is inserted into an inner region of the stacked rings. The rings can be translated such that the optical input/output apertures are brought into touch contact (i.e., non-compressing contact) with the surface of the breast, so as to accommodate different size breasts. The rings may be translated such that the spacing between adjacent rings is increased for large breasts and reduced for smaller breasts. Rings may be removed or additional rings added to further accommodate additional breast sizes.

To use an object information acquiring apparatus that has: a plurality of detection elements that detect acoustic waves generated from an object irradiated with light from a light source and output electric signals; a supporting member that supports the plurality of detection elements so that the axes of directivity of at least part of the detection elements gather; an inputting unit that receives an input of a measurement condition from a user; a selecting unit that selects at least part of the plurality of detection elements in response to the measurement condition input by the user; and a processing unit that acquires property information on the inside of the object, using electric signals output from the selected detection elements.