Breast imaging method and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016166234-A1
Application number	US-201414572416-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 16, 2014
Priority date	Dec 16, 2014
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An ultrasound scan probe and support mechanism are provided for use in a multi-modality mammography imaging system, such as a combined tomosynthesis and ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the ultrasound components may be positioned and configured so as not to interfere with the tomosynthesis imaging operation, such as to remain out of the X-ray beam path. Further, the ultrasound probe and associated components may be configured to as to move and scan the breast tissue under compression, such as under the compression provided by one or more paddles used in the tomosynthesis imaging operation.

First claim

1 . A breast imaging system, comprising:
a frame structure comprising an open region; an ultrasound probe attached to the frame structure and configured to move along the frame structure over the open region during operation; and one or more pivot structures about which the frame structure is configured to pivot with respect to a compression paddle.

2 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more rails in a vertical orientation relative to the frame structure on which the ultrasound probe is mounted, wherein the ultrasound probe is biased along the one or more rails but can be moved along the one or more rails against the bias.

3 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive rail along which the ultrasound probe moves with respect to the frame structure.

4 . The breast imaging system of claim 3 , further comprising a motor assembly configured to move the move the ultrasound probe along the drive rail.

5 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the frame structure comprises a sliding engagement for receiving a complementary engagement structure of the compression paddle.

6 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the frame structure is configured to pivot between a first position in which the ultrasound probe not in the beam path of an X-ray source and a second position in which the ultrasound probe is positioned to acquire ultrasound image data.

7 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tomosynthesis scan system configured to acquire tomosynthesis image data when the ultrasound probe is pivoted out of the beam path of the tomosynthesis scan system.

8 . The breast imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a motion controller module configured to automatically move some or all of the ultrasound probe or the frame structure during an ultrasound examination.

9 . A breast imaging system, comprising:
a frame structure comprising:
an open region; and
one or more engagement structures;
a removable ultrasound probe comprising one or more complementary structures configured to engage and disengage the engagement structures, wherein the ultrasound probe is configured to move along the frame structure over the open region during operation.

10 . The breast imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound probe, when engaged is movable between a retracted position and an unretracted position relative to a surface of the frame structure.

11 . The breast imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more engagement structures of the frame structure are movable along respective tracks within the frame structure.

12 . The breast imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the frame structure comprises a sliding engagement for receiving a complementary engagement structure of a compression paddle.

13 . The breast imaging system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a tomosynthesis scan system configured to acquire tomosynthesis image data when the ultrasound probe is detached form the frame structure.

14 . The breast imaging system of claim 9 , further comprising a motion controller module configured to automatically move some or all of the ultrasound probe or the frame structure during an ultrasound examination.

15 . A method for acquiring breast imaging data, comprising:
compressing breast tissue to a non-uniform thickness; acquiring one or more tomosynthesis images of the breast tissue; positioning an ultrasound probe on the breast tissue, wherein the ultrasound probe is positioned outside the an X-ray beam path during acquisition of the one or more tomosynthesis images and within the X-ray beam path when positioned on the breast tissue; moving the ultrasound probe along a defined scan path; acquiring one or more ultrasound images of the breast tissue using the ultrasound probe; and releasing compression of the breast tissue.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the compressing the breast tissue comprises compressing the breast tissue using a conformable mesh compression paddle.

17 . The method of claim 15 , comprising: applying acoustic gel or lotion prior to positioning the ultrasound probe.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the ultrasound probe comprises flipping the ultrasound probe and an associated frame from a non-ultrasound imaging position to an ultrasound imaging position.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the ultrasound probe comprises attaching the ultrasound probe to a frame structure from which the ultrasound probe can be engaged and disengaged.

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the ultrasound probe and moving the ultrasound probe along the defined scan path are preformed automatically by a motion control module.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Zhang Zhipeng
• Davis Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg
• Griffin Weston Blaine
• Mao Ying

Classifications

• A61B6/502

  for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography · CPC title

• A61B6/025

  Tomosynthesis · CPC title

• A61B8/4416 Primary

  related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions · CPC title

• A61B8/0825

  for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography · CPC title

• A61B8/54

  Control of the diagnostic device · CPC title