Methods, system and apparatus for digital imaging

A method for generating an image of an object of interest, said method comprising:

• compressing an object of interest using a compression paddle;
• acquiring a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using an X-ray source and a detector;
• positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle such that the second three-dimensional dataset obtained with the ultrasound probe mover assembly is co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset obtained through the compression paddle by mechanical design;
• coupling an ultrasound probe with the probe mover assembly such that the ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through the compression paddle and the object of interest;
• acquiring a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using an ultrasound probe;
• and
• combining the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.

A method for generating an image of an object of interest, said method comprising:

• compressing an object of interest using a compression paddle;
• acquiring a two-dimensional dataset of the object, at a first position, using an X-ray source and a detector;
• positioning an ultrasound probe mover assembly adjacent the compression paddle such that the second three-dimensional dataset obtained with the ultrasound probe mover assembly is co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset obtained through the compression paddle by mechanical design;
• operationally coupling an ultrasound probe with the probe mover assembly such that the ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through the compression paddle and the object of interest;
• acquiring a three-dimensional dataset of the object, at the first position, using an ultrasound probe;
• and
• combining the two-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.

An apparatus comprising:

• a compression paddle;
• an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle;
• and
• an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest.

A medical imaging system for generating an image of an object of interest, said medical imaging system comprising:

• a detector array;
• at least one radiation source;
• a compression paddle;
• an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle;
• an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest;
• and
• a computer coupled to said detector array, said radiation source, and said ultrasound probe, and configured to:
• acquire a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using said X-ray source and said detector;
• acquire a second three-dimensional dataset of the object at the first position using said ultrasound probe;
• and
• combine the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.

A medical imaging system for generating an image of an object of interest, said medical imaging system comprising:

• a detector array;
• at least one radiation source;
• a compression paddle;
• an ultrasound probe mover assembly mechanically aligned with said compression paddle;
• an ultrasound probe coupled with said probe mover assembly such that said ultrasound probe emits an ultrasound output signal through said compression paddle and said object of interest;
• and
• a computer coupled to said detector array, said radiation source, and said ultrasound probe, and configured to:
• acquire a first three-dimensional dataset of the object at a first position using said X-ray source and said detector;
• acquire a second three-dimensional dataset of the object co-registered with the first three-dimensional dataset, at the first position, using said ultrasound probe;
• register the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset on a point by point basis;
• and
• combine the first three-dimensional dataset and the second three-dimensional dataset to generate a three-dimensional image of the object.