Apparatus and method for substantially immobilizing a breast for medical imaging procedure

An apparatus for substantially immobilizing a breast of a patient relative to a torso of the patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a breast support comprising:
• a first support member defining a first inner area;
• a corresponding second support member defining a second inner area, removably hinged to the first support member, such that the first and second members are movable between an open and closed position, the second support member defining a second inner area and when engaged to the first support member the first and second inner areas are in substantial alignment when the members are in the closed position;
• a first and a second deformable membrane, the first deformable membrane removably connected to the first support member substantially covering the first inner area and the second deformable membrane removably connected to the second support member substantially covering the second inner area, the first and second membranes defining a pocket to receive the breast as the second member is moved from the open position to the closed position, to substantially immobilize the breast relative to the torso of the patient;
• a harness comprising:
• a sternum support capable of engagement with the torso substantially along a sternum of the patient;
• a first and a second support engagement member extending from the sternum support towards the breast, the first support member coupled to the first and second support engagement members and extending outwardly from the first support engagement member in a path over the breast to the second support engagement member;
• and
• an adjustable strap connected to the sternum support capable of securing the patient to the sternum support.

A method for obtaining a medical image of a tissue of interest of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• substantially immobilizing the breast of a patient relative to a torso of the patient with a portable immobilization device;
• performing a first imaging scan of the breast to obtain a first medical image with a first imaging system;
• re-positioning the patient, the breast of the patient remaining substantially immobilized in the immobilization device;
• and
• performing a second imaging scan to obtain a second medical image with a second imaging system.