X-RAY MAMMOGRAPHY AND/OR BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS USING A COMPRESSION PADDLE WITH AN INFLATABLE JACKET ENHANCING IMAGING AND IMPROVING PATIENT COMFORT

Abstract

A system and method using an inflatable jacket over the compression paddle of a mammography and/or tomosynthesis system to enhance imaging and improve patient comfort in x-ray breast imaging.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A method of imaging a breast with x-rays emitted from an imaging system comprising: supporting the breast on a breast platform of the imaging system and proximate an inflatable element comprising a first flexible side and an opposite second flexible side; compressing the breast with a compression paddle secured to the imaging system, wherein the second flexible side is adhered to the breast, and the first flexible side is secured to the compression paddle via a clipping member that clips over a side wall of the compression paddle, the clipping member being outside of a field of view of the imaging system; detecting, with the imaging system, a position of the compression paddle relative to at least one of the breast and the breast support platform; based on the detection of the position, automatically adjusting a degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast to define a compression force for immobilizing the breast; imaging the immobilized breast with x-rays emitted from the imaging system; and generating, with the imaging system, x-ray images of the breast.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises increasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising re-positioning the breast after the detection of the position of the compression paddle.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises decreasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises controlling a fluid control unit.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises sending a control signal to a fluid control unit.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises receiving a control signal at a fluid control unit.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein compressing the breast with the compression paddle comprises compressing the breast with the inflatable element.

36. The method of claim 28, further comprising connecting the inflatable element to a pressure control unit.

37. A method of imaging a breast with x-rays emitted from an imaging system comprising: supporting the breast on a breast platform of the imaging system; compressing the breast with an inflatable element secured to a compression paddle of the imaging system, wherein the inflatable element comprises a first flexible side and an opposite second flexible side in adhered contact with the breast, the first flexible side being secured to the compression paddle via a clipping member that clips over a side wall of the compression paddle, the clipping member being outside of a field of view of the imaging system; automatically inflating the inflatable element against the breast to a first internal pressure by activating a fluid control unit coupled to the inflatable element, wherein the first internal pressure of the inflatable element exerts a compressive pressure against the breast; detecting, by the imaging system, when the exerted pressure reaches a specified compressive pressure; automatically adjusting a degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast by activating the fluid control unit, based at least in part on the detected compressive pressure to define a compression force for immobilizing the breast; imaging the immobilized breast with x-rays emitted from the imaging system; and generating, with the imaging system, x-ray images of the breast.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising adjusting a position of the compression paddle relative to the breast.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises increasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises decreasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising: sending a pressure adjustment signal to the imaging system based at least in part on the detected compressive pressure; and after sending the pressure adjustment signal, automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast based at least in part on the pressure adjustment signal.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the pressure adjustment signal is sent from a workstation remote from the imaging system.

43. The method of claim 28, wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a friction-enhancing surface configured to enhance friction with the breast.

44. The method of claim 28, wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a sticky surface therein, the sticky surface being configured to adhere to the breast.

45. The method of claim 37, wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a friction-enhancing surface configured to enhance friction with the breast.

46. The method of claim 37, wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a sticky surface therein, the sticky surface being configured to adhere to the breast.

47. The method of claim 28, wherein the clipping member comprises an extension that extends over a thickness of the side wall of the compression paddle.

48. The method of claim 37, wherein the clipping member comprises an extension that extends over a thickness of the side wall of the compression paddle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a partly schematic view and partly a block diagram of a mammography and/or tomosynthesis system using an inflatable or inflated paddle jacket in imaging a patient’s breast with x-rays.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view, not to scale, which illustrates a compression paddle provided with an inflatable or inflated jacket and a breast platform with a compressible mat thereon, as a part of an x-ray mammography and/or tomosynthesis system.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a section of the compression paddle with a paddle jacket secured thereto.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically two examples of ways to releasably secure a paddle jacket to a compression paddle.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a seam in the paddle jacket.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a variant in which the bottom of the jacket comprises multiple chambers that can be pressurized to different degrees.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inflatable jacket secured to a compression paddle (upside down).

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a compression paddle with an inflatable jacket secured thereto, and with the combination secured to a breast imaging system.

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a breast imaging system using an inflatable jacket over the compression paddle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a patient’s breast 10 is immobilized for x-ray imaging between a breast platform 12 and a compression paddle 16. Platform 12 can be the upper surface of a housing 14. At least an underside of compression paddle 16 is covered with an inflatable paddle jacket 18. Platform 12 and paddle 16 form a breast immobilizer unit 20 that is in a path of an imaging beam 22 emanating from x-ray source 24. Beam 22 impinges on image receptor 26 that is in housing 14. Immobilizer 20 and housing 14 are supported on an arm 28. X-ray source 24 is supported on an arm 30. For mammography, support arms 28 and 30 can rotate as a unit about an axis such as at 30a between different imaging orientations such as CC and MLO, so that the system can take a mammogram projection image Mp at each orientation. Image receptor 26 remains in place relative to housing 14 while an image Mp is taken. Immobilizer 20 releases breast 10 for movement of arms 28 and 30 to a different imaging orientation. For tomosynthesis, support arm 28 stays in place, with breast 10 immobilized and remaining in place, while at least source support arm 30 rotates source 24 relative to immobilizer 20 and breast 10 about an axis such as 30a. The system takes plural tomosynthesis projection images of breast 10 at respective angles of beam 22 relative to breast 10. Concurrently, image receptor 26 may be tilted relative to breast platform 12 in sync with the rotation of source support arm 30. The tilting can be through the same angle as the rotation of course 24, but preferably is through a different angle, selected such that beam 22 remains substantially in the same position on image receptor 26 for each of the plural images Tp. The tilting can be about an axis 32a, which can but need not be in the image plane of image receptor 26. A tilting mechanism 34, which also is in housing 14 or is otherwise coupled with receptor 24, can drive image receptor 24 in a tilting motion. Axes 20a, 24a and 26a extend left-right as seen in FIG. 1, and may but preferably do not coincide. For tomosynthesis imaging, breast platform 12 can be horizontal or can be at an angle to the horizontal, e.g., at an orientation similar to that for conventional MLO imaging in mammography. The system of FIG. 1 can be solely a mammography system, or solely a tomosynthesis system, or a “combo” system that can perform both mammography and tomosynthesis imaging. An example of such a combo system is been offered by the assignee hereof under the trade name Selenia Dimensions.

[0026] When the system is operated, image receptor 26 produces imaging information in response to illumination by imaging beam 22, and supplies it to image processor 34 for processing to generate breast x-ray images. A fluid control unit 36 connects with inflatable jacket 18 via conduit 36a, preferably through a quick-release snap-on connection 48. A system control and work station unit 38 controls the operation of the system and interacts with a user to receive commands and deliver information including processed-ray images.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-6 (which are not to scale) for a more detailed illustration of breast immobilizer 20, compression paddle 16 typically is made of clear plastic and has a front wall 16a, a left side wall 16b, a right side wall 16c, and a bottom wall 16d having an underside 16e. Side walls 16b and 16c are supported by a bracket 16f that in turn is supported by support arm 28 for up-down movement along arm 28. For tilting relative to breast 10, paddle 16 is secured to bracket 16 with pins 16g (only the right pin is visible in FIG. 2) and is spring biased such that as paddle 16 presses against breast 10 the front end of paddle 16 lifts against the biasing force. If desirable, a compressible pad 40 may be placed on platform 12 to increase patient comfort, as in known for system offered by the common assignee. In addition, compression paddle 16 can move left-right as in the current system offered by the assignee under the trade name Selenia Dimensions.

[0028] An inflatable jacket 18 is releasably secured to compression paddle 16 and has a front wall 18a, a left side wall 18b, a right side wall 18c, and a bottom 18d having a top wall 18e facing the underside 16e of platform 16 and a bottom wall 18f. Bottom 18d thus comprises an inflatable chamber formed between walls 18e and 18f of jacket 18. This chamber 18d is in fluid flow communication with fluid control unit 36 via conduit 36a so it can be selectively inflated and, if desired, selectively deflated, to a desired pressure. A quick connect-release, snap-on connector 48 facilitates convenient connection of chamber 18d to fluid control unit 36 and disconnection from unit 36. If desired the bottom of jacket 18 can be divided into two or more chambers, such as chambers 18h and 18i, by a partition 18g, and separate conduits and connect/disconnect device (not shown) can be provided for each so that the two or more chambers can be inflated to desired pressures that may differ from each other.

[0029] Jacket 18 can be releasably secured to paddle 16 in any number of ways such that it can be easily attached and removed from paddle 16 and so that it will not undergo undesirable shifts relative to paddle 16 or the patient’s skin while the breast is being immobilized and imaged.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates one example, in which at least some of the surfaces of jacket 18 that face platform 16 are made of or coated with a material that adheres to platform 16 with a force that is sufficiently high to substantially prevent undesirable movement between platform 16 and jacket 18 but also sufficiently low to allow for easy removal of jacket 18 from paddle 16. Preferably at least the upper wall 18e of jacket 18 is made sticky for that purpose, but any one or more of the other walls can also be made sticky instead of or in addition to wall 16e. In this example of using adhesion to releasably secure jacket 18 to paddle 16, the front and side walls of jacket 18 preferably are shorter than the corresponding walls of paddle 16 but in the alternative can be the same height or even taller. The walls of jacket 18 can but need not be the same height; for example front wall 18a can have a lesser height compared with side walls 18b and 18c.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates other examples of releasably securing jacket 18 to paddle 16. In this example, at least one but preferably two or all three of front wall 18a and side walls 18b and 18c are provided with clipping members 42 that clip over the top of the respective wall of platform 16 and thus keep jacket 18 and platform 16 secured to each other. Clipping member 42 can be as shown in solid lines, or it can have an extension 42a as shown in dashed line. Jacket 18 typically is made of a plastic material such as vinyl that is somewhat stretchable and is dimensioned for a tight fit over platform 16 such that mechanical friction and perhaps some electrostatic force and inherent stickiness of the jacket material combine to maintain the jacket and platform from undesirable movement with respect to each other, but jacket 18 can still be easily peeled from paddle 16 by an operator so that a new jacket can be installed for the next patient if desired. Other example are contemplated, such as snap connections between the side walls of the jacket and the compression paddle, or other mechanical connections.

[0032] Jacket 18 can be made of two layers of a material such a vinyl similar in chemical composition and thickness to that used for colostomy bags and even kitchen food bags and freezer bags. Preferably the two layers are fused or adhered to each other at the front and side walls of jacket 18, but not at the bottom 18d of jacket 18. Preferably, a seam 44 is formed, e.g., with adhesive material or by fusing, joining the two layers where jacket 18 adjoins the junction of the front and underside of platform 16 when jacket 18 is secured to platform 16, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Seam 42 can extend partly over front wall 16a and partly over underside 16e of platform 16, as illustrated (not to scale) in FIG. 5. Preferably, seam 42 is positioned such that the inflatable volume 18d of jacket 18 does not extent forward beyond front wall 16a of platform 16, so as not to push patient tissue away from platform 16.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, the jacket’s chamber 18d can comprise two or more sub-chambers, such as shown at 18h and 18i, each with a respective connection through a snap-on connector and a conduit to fluid control unit 36, so that each sub-chamber can be inflated to a desired pressure level under operator control or automated system control.

[0034] Fluid control unit 36 can be powered by an operator, using a hand-pump or a foot pump and appropriate manual or foot-controlled valves. Alternatively, electric or fluid-powered pumps can be used, with appropriate valves and interfaces such as buttons or switches that the operator controls. As another alternative, fluid control unit 36 can be fully automated such that inflation/deflation of jacket 18 is under control of station 38, when so enabled by an operator, and in response to events such as compression paddle 16 reaching a certain position relative to the patient’s breast or to platform 12 or exerting a specified pressure on the patient’s breast. The controls over inflation/deflation can be a part of or at least associated with unit 38.

[0035] In use, the mammography and/or tomosynthesis system is operated as known, for example as known for the systems offered by the common assignee under the commercial designations Selenia and Selenia Dimensions, except for the addition of inflatable paddle jacket 18. Thus, before patient imaging, a jacket 18 is secured to paddle 16 and connected to conduit 36 through a snap-on connector 48. With patient’s breast 10 on platform 12 or pad 40, the technician lowers paddle 16 (with jacket 18 secured thereto) to begin compressing breast 10, while manually manipulating the breast to spread out breast tissue and pull tissue away from the patient’s chest wall and into the x-ray field of view. In this process, the technician may control the degree of inflation of the jacket’s chamber 18d before and/or after paddle 16 has been lowered to its final desired position by adding to and/or releasing fluid from chamber 18d. If chamber 18d comprises two or more sub-chambers, the technician may individually control the inflation of each in a similar manner. Once the technician or other health professional is satisfied with the position of breast 10, x-ray imaging can commence in a mammography and/or tomosynthesis mode, for example as known for said systems offered by the common assignee.

[0036] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate examples of an inflatable or inflated jacket 18 secured to a compression paddle in a breast imaging system. In FIG. 7, jacket 18 and paddle 16 are upside-down to better illustrate them and quick-release coupling 48. FIG. 8 illustrates paddle 16 and jacket 18 in a more typical orientation, and also illustrates a knob 80 that can be manually turned to move paddle 16 and its support left-right. FIG. 9 illustrates in perspective view a system in which components are identified by reference numeral used in FIG. 1 and described in connection with FIG. 1.

[0037] While specific examples have been described above, it should be clear that variations thereof are within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claim. As one of many possible examples, a similar inflatable jacket can be used on or over breast platform 12 in addition to or instead of using jacket 18 on compression paddle 16. In that example, such a jacket can be similarly secured to housing 14, or it can omit the side walls so that only a chamber similar to chamber 18d (or multiple sub-chambers) is present on breast platform 12, possibly with a front wall similar to front wall 18a but extending down along the front wall of housing 14