Apparatus for detecting very small breast anomalies

A detection system for detecting anomalies in breast tissue which comprises:

• a detection head housing;
• a palpation finger mounted on said housing for movement relative to said detection head along a line;
• means for moving said palpation finger along said line into pressure contact with a breast surface;
• means for measuring and recording the extent of penetration of said palpation finger into breast surface corresponding to a predetermined force extending said finger;
• means for pivoting said detection head housing about a first axis;
• and
• means for rotating said detection head housing about a second axis.

Apparatus for detecting anomalies in breast tissue which comprises:

• horizontal support means;
• a movable carriage mounted on said horizontal support means for movement in a horizontal direction;
• a detection head mounted on said carriage for movement therewith;
• a palpation finger mounted on said detection head for movement relative to said detection head along a line;
• means for moving said palpation finger along said line into pressure contact with breast surface;
• means for orienting said palpation finger so that said line is substantially perpendicular to said breast surface;
• means for measuring and recording the extent of penetration of said palpation finger into breast surface corresponding to a predetermined force extending said finger;
• means for pivoting said detection head about a first axis;
• means for rotating said detection head about a second axis;
• a locator head mounted on said carriage, said locator head including means for imaging a breast and positioning said palpation finger at predetermined locations relative to said breast surface;
• said locator head includes a light source and optical means for focussing light from said white light source on a spot on a breast adjacent to said locator head;
• and
• sensor means mounted on said detection head adjacent to said palpation finger for measuring at least one of breast surface color and temperature over a predetermined area.