Heating systems and methods for heating a breast support platform

A breast support platform for an x-ray imaging system, the support platform comprising:

• a housing comprising a compression plate, a front wall, and a rear portion opposite the front wall, the rear portion being substantially curved extending upwards from the compression plate;
• an x-ray receptor disposed at least partially within the housing;
• and
• a heating system disposed at least partially within the housing positioned adjacent the rear portion and configured to heat at least a portion of the compression plate, or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall, wherein the heating system comprises a blower disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to channel heated air across a surface of the housing via an outlet, wherein the outlet of the heating system is positioned adjacent the rear portion, above the compression plate, and has an outlet axis oriented in a substantially downward direction facing the rear portion, the outlet axis non-parallel to the compression plate.

A method of heating a breast support platform of an x-ray imaging system, the method comprising:

• generating heat through a heating system disposed at least partially within a support arm of the breast support platform, wherein the breast support platform includes a compression plate having a compression surface, a front wall, and a rear portion opposite the front wall, the rear portion extending upwards from the compression surface, and wherein generating heat includes heating a flow of air;
• channeling the heated air, via a blower, towards at least a portion of the compression plate or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall;
• and
• directing the heated air, via a baffle that forms an outlet and that includes one or more vanes, across predetermined areas of the compression surface, wherein the outlet is positioned adjacent the rear portion, above the compression plate, such that the heated air is directed along an outlet axis of the outlet oriented in a substantially downward direction facing the rear portion, the outlet axis non-parallel to the compression surface.