Method and apparatus for mammographic compression

A method for compressing breast tissue for a mammography, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a mammography device comprising:
• an imaging arm having an X-ray source end and an image receiving end,
• an X-ray source attached to the imaging arm at the imaging end,
• a breast supporting X-ray image receiver attached to the imaging arm at the image receiving end;
• providing a rotatable compression paddle apparatus for a mammography device between the X-ray source and the breast supporting X-ray image receiver, the apparatus comprising:
• a frame, including a cross member having an opening therein,
• a compression surface having a chest wall end and a nipple end, pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point located between the chest wall end and the nipple end,
• a lever attached to the compression surface at the nipple end thereof,
• a spring retaining member, having a spring retaining end, attached to the lever and positioned through the opening in the cross member of the frame, and
• a spring positioned between the spring retaining end of the spring retaining member and the cross member of the frame;
• placing breast tissue on the breast supporting X-ray image receiver;
• moving the compression paddle apparatus towards the breast supporting X-ray image receiver at least until contact between the chest wall end of the compression surface is made with the breast tissue and the compression paddle surface is rotated from a pre-chestwall contact resting position.

A compression paddle apparatus for a mammography device, the apparatus comprising:

• a compression paddle supporting frame having a cross member;
• a compression surface having a chest wall end and a nipple end, pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point located between the chest wall end and the nipple end;
• a lever attached to the compression surface at the nipple end thereof;
• and
• a spring retaining member having a spring retaining end, wherein the spring retaining member is attached to the lever and positioned through the opening in the cross member of the frame;
• and
• a spring positioned between the spring retaining end of the spring retaining member and the cross member of the frame.

A compression paddle apparatus for a mammography device, the apparatus comprising:

• a compression paddle supporting frame having a cross member;
• a compression surface having a chest wall end and a nipple end, pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point located between the chest wall end and the nipple end;
• a lever, having an opening therein, attached to the compression surface at the nipple end thereof;
• a spring retaining member having a spring retaining end, wherein the spring retaining member is attached to the cross member of the frame and positioned through the opening in the lever;
• and
• a spring positioned between the spring retaining end of the spring retaining member and the lever attached to the compression surface.