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US 11,684,323 B2Granted
Membrane-based breast compression systems
AssigneeHologic, Inc.
InventorsShawn St. Pierre, Richard Gladwin Edwards, Joseph Vartolone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bracket body releasably secures a compression element to the compression arm of a breast imaging system. A pair of parallel lateral arms extends from a rigid frame which extends from the bracket. A span connects the ends of the lateral arms opposite the bracket and a flexible membrane extends from the span towards the bracket body.
Claims12
A breast imaging system comprising:
- a gantry;
- a compression system pivotably connected to the gantry about a compression system axis, wherein the compression system comprises:
- a support platform comprising a platform axis extending substantially parallel to the compression system axis, wherein the support platform is curved about the platform axis;
- a compression element comprising a flexible membrane spanning a pair of arms, and configured to be raised and lowered relative to the platform axis, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a plurality of flexible membranes, wherein at least one arm of the pair of arms comprises a plurality of rotatable sheaths, each of the rotatable sheaths secured to one of the plurality of flexible membranes, and wherein each of the plurality of rotatable sheaths is configured to vary a tension of the associated flexible membrane;
- an x-ray receptor disposed within the support platform;
- and
- a tube head including an x-ray source pivotably coupled to the gantry for pivotable movement independent of a movement of the compression system.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.