System and method for breast imaging

A retrofit upgrade package for an installed legacy imaging system, said retrofit upgrade package comprising:

• a compression system configured to receive and compress an object to be imaged, said compression system comprising:
• a first compression paddle configured to be coupled to a gantry;
• and
• a second compression paddle configured to be coupled to the gantry;
• and
• an ultrasound system comprising:
• a first ultrasound probe mounted on said first compression paddle, said first ultrasound probe configured to acquire a first portion of ultrasound image information of the object to be imaged;
• and
• a second ultrasound probe coupled to said second compression paddle, said second ultrasound probe configured to acquire a second portion of the ultrasound image information of the object to be imaged
• wherein said first ultrasound probe is configured to be positioned between an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, said first ultrasound probe is configured to pivot from a first position extending over at least a portion of said first compression paddle to a second position proximate the gantry, wherein, in the second position, said ultrasound probe is substantially removed from an x-ray beam emanated from the x-ray source toward the x-ray detection device;
• and
• wherein said first ultrasound probe is further configured to pivot from the second position to the first position to facilitate acquisition of the first portion of the ultrasound image information of the object to be imaged.

A method of imaging an object, said method comprising:

• positioning a first compression paddle to receive an object to be imaged;
• positioning a second compression paddle to extend over at least a portion of an x-ray detector;
• positioning the object to be imaged between the first compression paddle and the second compression paddle;
• generating x-ray image data of the object to be imaged;
• after generating the x-ray image data and prior to generating ultrasound image data, translating the first compression paddle and the second compression paddle substantially synchronously with the object to be imaged remaining therebetween;
• and
• moving a first ultrasound probe across the first compression paddle and moving a second ultrasound probe across the second compression paddle substantially simultaneously to generate ultrasound image data.