A radiography system includes a mammography apparatus and a control device including a compression control unit that, in a case of performing continuous imaging in which the simple imaging and the tomosynthesis imaging are continuously performed while the breast being compressed by the mammography apparatus, performs control to cause a compression member to compress the breast at a first force in a first imaging of the simple imaging or the tomosynthesis imaging that is performed first in the continuous imaging, to change a force of the compression member compressing the breast from the first force to a second force lower than the first force after the first imaging, and to cause the compression member to compress the breast at the second force in a second imaging that is performed later.

The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus and a mammography method. The present invention provides a mammography apparatus and a mammography method including: a preliminary imaging step of performing imaging on a breast by emitting radiation in accordance with a first imaging condition; a second imaging condition determination step of determining a second imaging condition in accordance with a first image acquired in the preliminary imaging step; and a main imaging step of performing imaging on the breast by emitting the radiation on the basis of the second imaging condition, in which a uncompressed region in which the breast is not compressed is excluded when determining the second imaging condition.

Various methods and systems are provided for breast positioning assistance during mammography and image guided interventional procedures. In one example, a vision system is utilized to evaluate one or more of a patient position, a breast position, and breast anatomy to determine if the patient and breast are adjusted to desired positions preferred for a desired view and imaging procedure. Further, based on the evaluation, prior to acquiring x-ray images, real-time feedback may be provided to guide the user to position the breast and/or the patient.

Embodiments of devices, apparatuses, and methods for a portable 3D ultrasound image-guided system, which may provide high quality volumetric images of breast tissue in treatment planning and patient positioning during radiation therapy treatment courses.

To improve breast mammography imagery via use of a digital “slot scanning” imaging system that accommodates the changing thickness of the breast from the chest wall to the nipple by scanning the breast from the chest outward to the nipple or vice versa instead of the side-to-side methodology and using Automatic Exposure Control or AEC parameters optimized for the changing thickness and composition of the breast at each scan location and an improved breast compression device, wherein uniform breast compression mechanism includes a first breast plate and a second breast plate, wherein at least one of said first breast plate and said second breast plates includes an angle adjustment or tilt to account for the high variability in breast sizes and configurations while maintaining optimal immobilization with excellent patient comfort.

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.

A multimodal system for breast imaging includes an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source after passing through a breast. The system includes an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to the x-ray detector so as to be able to translate the x-ray detector from a first displacement from the breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with the breast. The system includes an x-ray image processor configured to: receive a CT data set from the x-ray detector, the CT data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the first displacement; compute a CT image of the breast; receive a mammography data set from the x-ray detector, the mammography data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the second displacement; and compute a mammography image of the breast.

A size and/or shape specific 3D-beam modulation filter and a size and/or shape specific immobilizer are provided for cone-beam breast computed tomography (bCT). The immobilizer places the breast on an optimal position in the field of view of the scanner system and the 3D-beam modulation filter modulates the incident x-ray beam in the cone-angle (i.e. z-axis of the detector panel) and fan angle (i.e. x-axis of the detector panel) directions in order to improve equalization of the photon fluence incident upon the detector panel and reduce unnecessary radiation dose that the breast receives. Both the immobilizer and the 3D-beam modulation filter are selected among a plurality of alternatives based on the specific shape, size and/or shape or size of the person's breast.

A system for imaging a breast includes a gantry and a tube head rotatably coupled thereto. An x-ray source is disposed within the tube head. A support arm is movably coupled to the gantry and includes a breast support platform. An x-ray detector is disposed within the breast support platform and a compression arm is movably coupled to the support arm. An opaque breast compression paddle is coupled to the compression arm. The breast support platform and the opaque compression paddle at least partially define a compression volume for compressing a breast and a camera is arranged to capture images of the compression volume. An image display is at least partially disposed on the system and is configured to display the images of the compression volume captured by the camera.

A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a rotation of source high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.