Wearable 3D ultrasound-based whole breast imaging system

A method of obtaining a whole breast 3D ultrasound image, the method comprising:

• placing an adapter subassembly of a whole breast 3D ultrasound imaging system around a whole breast of a subject, the adapter subassembly comprising an annular wall for containing an ultrasound transmission fluid around the breast of the subject;
• fastening the adapter subassembly to the subject to provide a seal between a first edge of the annular wall and a body surface around the breast of the subject to reduce leakage of the ultrasound fluid between the first edge and the body surface of the subject;
• providing the ultrasound transmission fluid inside the annular wall of the adapter subassembly around the breast of the subject;
• releasably mounting a compression plate subassembly of the whole breast 3D ultrasound imaging system on a second edge of the adapter subassembly thereby positioning an ultrasound compression plate of the compression plate subassembly above the breast with the ultrasound fluid between the compression plate and the body surface of the subject;
• adjusting a height of the compression plate to compress the breast;
• releasably mounting a motor plate subassembly of the whole breast 3D ultrasound imaging system on the adapter subassembly or the compression plate subassembly, the motor plate subassembly comprising an ultrasound transducer movable relative to the motor plate subassembly;
• and,
• scanning the breast with the ultrasound transducer by moving the ultrasound transducer in a plane parallel to the ultrasound compression plate,
• wherein the compression plate subassembly comprises:
• a securement portion configured to be releasably secured to the second edge of the annular wall of the adapter subassembly, and
• a frame with the ultrasound compression plate mounted to the frame, whereby the ultrasound compression plate is height adjustable relative to the securement portion, wherein the frame comprises mounting bolts secured thereon, the mounting bolts engaging the securement portion to connect the frame to the securement portion,
• wherein to adjust the height of the compression plate, at least one of the mounting bolts is rotated in a threaded aperture in the securement portion to cause the frame and the ultrasound compression plate to move relative to the securement portion when the securement portion is secured on the adapter subassembly.