Mammography cushioning devices and methods

A bolster for use with a mammography unit bucky comprising a compressible material;

• wherein said bucky comprises a tube-side surface;
• a first side surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface;
• a second side surface opposite said first side surface;
• and an outer surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface, said first side surface, and said second side surface;
• wherein said bolster substantially covers said first side surface, said second side surface;
• and said outer surface;
• and
• wherein the height of said bolster exceeds the height of said bucky when said bolster is assembled on said bucky.

A mammography unit comprising:

• a bucky comprising patient-contact surfaces which comprise a tube-side surface;
• a first side surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface;
• a second side surface opposite said first side surface;
• and an outer surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface, said first side surface, and said second side surface;
• a comfort device comprising an x-ray transparent compressible pad and a bolster;
• wherein said x-ray transparent compressible pad substantially covers said tube-side surface;
• wherein said x-ray transparent compressible pad comprises a first partially radiopaque identifier that is permanently affixed to said x-ray transparent compressible pad and said first partially radiopaque identifier comprises indicia which impart information about said x-ray transparent compressible pad onto a mammogram;
• wherein said bolster covers a portion of each of said first side surface, said second side surface, and said outer surface;
• wherein said bolster is separate from said x-ray transparent compressible pad;
• wherein said bolster retains said x-ray transparent compressible pad on said bucky when said bolster and said x-ray transparent compressible pad are assembled on said bucky;
• and
• an x-ray source, a compression device, and a support column to which said bucky is secured.

A method for reducing patient discomfort during a mammography comprising:

• securing a bucky to a mammography unit wherein said bucky comprises patient-contact surfaces which comprise a tube-side surface;
• a first side surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface;
• a second side surface opposite said first side surface;
• and an outer surface substantially perpendicular to said tube-side surface, said first side surface, and said second side surface;
• securing a comfort device comprising an x-ray transparent compressible pad and a bolster that comprises a compressible material over said bucky;
• wherein said x-ray transparent compressible pad substantially covers said tube-side surface;
• wherein said x-ray transparent compressible pad comprises a first partially radiopaque identifier that is permanently affixed to said x-ray transparent compressible pad and said first partially radiopaque identifier comprises indicia which impart information about said x-ray transparent compressible pad onto a mammogram;
• wherein said bolster covers a portion of each of said first side surface, said second side surface, and said outer surface;
• and
• wherein said bolster is separate from said x-ray transparent compressible pad and wherein said bolster retains said x-ray transparent compressible pad on said bucky when said bolster and said x-ray transparent compressible pad are assembled on said bucky;
• and
• positioning a patient such that said comfort device is disposed between said patient and said patient contact surfaces;
• and
• administering a mammography comprising compressing a breast of said patient.

A method for reducing patient discomfort during a mammography comprising:

• securing a light transparent panel over a mammography unit compression paddle with a bolster that comprises a compressible material and substantially surrounds the perimeter of said light transparent panel;
• positioning a patient's breast on a bucky;
• and
• administering a mammogram comprising compressing said breast between said compression paddle and said bucky and transmitting x-rays through said breast.

A method of administering a mammogram comprising:

• providing a comfort device comprising a stretchable, compressible material and an anchor;
• surrounding a peripheral edge of a patient's breast with said stretchable, compressible material;
• affixing said anchor to said bucky;
• compressing said breast;
• and
• transmitting x-rays through said breast.