EP-4736770-A2 - BREAST COMPRESSION PADDLE UTILIZING FOAM

Abstract

While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.

Inventors

• DEFREITAS, KENNETH F.
• REGO, ALAN
• EDWARDS, Richard Gladwin
• JANSSEN, Christine
• JING, ZHENXUE
• STEIN, JAY A.
• CONLIN, Diane
• WELLS, TIMOTHY N.
• WILLIAMS, CORNELL LEE

Assignees

• Hologic, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20190524

Claims (9)

1. A method of compressing a breast of a patient for a tomosynthesis imaging procedure, the method comprising: providing a first compression element comprising a rigid substrate and a foam secured to the rigid substrate, wherein the foam comprises an inner lateral edge surface, an outer lateral edge surface, a mid-plane disposed between the inner lateral edge surface and the outer lateral edge surface, a leading edge surface, a compressive surface, and an interface connecting the leading edge surface and the compressive surface; disposing the breast proximate a second compression element disposed facing the compressive surface, wherein a chest wall of the patient is substantially aligned with the leading edge surface, and wherein an inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the inner lateral edge surface and an outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface; compressing the breast between the first compression element and the second compression element to an imaging condition, wherein in the imaging condition, a portion of the leading surface aligned with the mid-plane is compressed to an incompletely compressed condition; and performing the tomosynthesis imaging procedure.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein when in the imaging condition, the interface defines a first curve adjacent an outer side of the mid-plane and a second curve adjacent an inner side of mid-plane.
3. The method of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein when in the imaging condition, a straight portion of the interface is substantially parallel to the second compression element.
4. The method of any of claims 1-3, further comprising removing a removable portion of the foam prior to disposing the breast on the second compression element.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising inserting the removable portion of the foam prior to compressing the breast.
6. The method of any of claims 4-5, wherein the removable portion comprises a plurality of removable portions.
7. The method of any of claims 4-6, further comprising processing an output from the imaging procedure so as to adjust a visibility of an artifact formed by the removable portion.
8. The method of any of claims 1-7, wherein at least one of the inner lateral edge surface and the outer lateral edge surface is curved.
9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first compressive element is a breast platform and the second compressive element is a compression paddle.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications This application is being filed on 24 May 2019, as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/676,609, filed May 25, 2018, US. Provisional Application No. 62/732,771, filed September 18, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/814,041, filed March 5, 2019, which applications are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference. Background Compression during mammography and tomosynthesis imaging serves a number of purposes. For example, it: (1) makes the breast thinner in the direction of x-ray flux and thereby reduces patient radiation exposure from the level required to image the thicker parts of a breast that are not compressed; (2) makes the breast more uniform in thickness in the direction of x-ray flux and thereby facilitates more uniform exposure at the image plane over the entire breast image; (3) immobilizes the breast during the x-ray exposure and thereby reduces image blurring; and (4) brings breast tissues out from the chest wall into the imaging exposure field and thus allows for more tissue imaging. As the breast is being compressed, typically a technologist manipulates the breast to position it appropriately and counter the tendency that compression has of pushing breast tissue toward the chest wall and out of the image field. Standard compression methods for mammography and tomosynthesis use a movable, rigid, radiolucent compression paddle. The breast is placed on a breast support platform that typically is flat, and the paddle then compresses the breast, usually while a technologist or other health professional is holding the breast in place. The technologist may also manipulate the breast to ensure proper tissue coverage in the image receptor's field of view. One known challenge in mammography and breast tomosynthesis is the discomfort the patient may feel when the breast is compressed, which must be done with sufficient force to immobilize the breast and spread out the breast tissues for x-ray imaging. Discomfort may potentially cause the patient to move, which negatively impacts image quality. Discomfort may also potentially dissuade patients from getting screened for breast cancer. Another known challenge is to ensure that the imaged field includes the desired amount of breast tissue. Summary In one aspect, the technology relates to a method of compressing a breast of a patient for a tomosynthesis imaging procedure, the method including: providing a first compression element has a rigid substrate and a foam secured to the rigid substrate, wherein the foam includes an inner lateral edge surface, an outer lateral edge surface, a mid-plane disposed between the inner lateral edge surface and the outer lateral edge surface, a leading edge surface, a compressive surface, and an interface connecting the leading edge surface and the compressive surface; disposing the breast proximate a second compression element disposed facing the compressive surface, wherein a chest wall of the patient is substantially aligned with the leading edge surface, and wherein an inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the inner lateral edge surface and an outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface; compressing the breast between the first compression element and the second compression element to an imaging condition, wherein in the imaging condition, a portion of the leading surface aligned with the mid-plane is compressed to an incompletely compressed condition; and performing the tomosynthesis imaging procedure. In an example, when in the imaging condition, the interface defines a first curve adjacent an outer side of the mid-plane and a second curve adjacent an inner side of mid-plane. In another example, when in the imaging condition, a straight portion of the interface is substantially parallel to the second compression element. In yet another example, the method further includes removing a removable portion of the foam prior to disposing the breast on the second compression element. In still another example, the method further includes inserting the removable portion of the foam prior to compressing the breast. In another example of the above aspect, the removable portion includes a plurality of removable portions. In an example, the method further includes processing an output from the imaging procedure so as to adjust a visibility of an artifact formed by the removable portion. In another example, at least one of the inner lateral edge surface and the outer lateral edge surface is curved. In yet another example, the first compressive element is a breast platform and the second compressive element is a compression paddle. In another aspect, the technology relates to a breast compression paddle having: a bracket for removably securing the breast compression paddle to an imaging system; a rigid substrate secured to the bracket; a foam secured to the rig