Apparatus, system and method for multi-modal volumetric ultrasound imaging and biopsy of a single breast

A method of imaging a breast with ultrasound, which method comprises:

• (a) placing the breast in an apparatus for immobilizing and ultrasound imaging of a breast, which apparatus is part of an ultrasound system comprising the apparatus, an ultrasound control, and a computer for image reconstruction and display, wherein the apparatus comprises:
• an inner breast cup assembly, which comprises:
• (i) a continuous, concave and pliable inner breast cup for placement of a breast to be imaged, and
• (ii) an annular flange at the open end of the inner breast cup, and an outer breast cup assembly, which comprises:
• (i) a continuous, concave and rigid outer breast cup comprising a plurality of channels, a plurality of biopsy ports, and a vacuum inlet,
• (ii) a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and
• (iii) a plurality of pushing stems, each of which has an inner end and an outer end,
• wherein an ultrasound transducer is mounted on the inner end of a pushing stem, and the pushing stem-mounted ultrasound transducer is air-tightly fitted in a separate channel in the outer breast cup,
• wherein the outer breast cup assembly is removably attached to the annular flange of the inner breast cup assembly, and
• wherein the outer breast cup assembly is optionally encased;
• (b) using a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet to apply negative pressure to the breast and scanning the breast with ultrasound until each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers successively transmits an ultrasound pulse while the remainder of the plurality of ultrasound transducers detects the transmission of the ultrasound pulse, a reflection of the transmitted ultrasound pulse, and a time-of-flight thereof;
• and
• (c) reconstructing images of the breast comprising an image based on the detection of the transmissions of the ultrasound pulses, an image based on the reflections of the transmitted ultrasound pulses, and an image based on the times-of-flight,
• whereupon a breast is imaged with ultrasound.