Apparatus and method for three dimensional ultrasound breast imaging
AssigneeOrison, Inc.
InventorMark L. Stribling
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Abstract
An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography includes: an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means for converting the output of the transducer array into three dimensional renderings of anatomical features; and, an applicator device having a first side conformable to the contour of the transducer array and a second side configured to accept the breast, the applicator device further containing a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize the breast during examination without substantially altering the breast from its natural shape.
Claims18
An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography comprising:
- an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means for converting the output of said transducer array into three dimensional renderings of anatomical features;
- an applicator device having a first side and a second side, said first side being conformable to the contour of said transducer array and said second side configured to accept the breast, said applicator device further containing a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize said breast during examination without substantially altering said breast from its natural shape;
- and,
- a means for providing acoustic coupling between said transducer array and said applicator device.
A method for ultrasonic mammography comprising:
- configuring an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means to create three dimensional renderings of anatomical features in a human breast;
- disposing one end of an applicator device into contact with said transducer array;
- disposing the other end of said applicator device into contact with said breast and introducing a fluid into said applicator device, whereby said fluid provides a continuous path for ultrasonic signals into and out of said breast during examination and said device stabilizes said breast during data acquisition without substantially deforming said breast from its natural shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.