Method and apparatus for mammography
AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorsSerge Muller, Andreas Rick, Jean-Pierre Saladin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for medical radiology and, in particular, galactography in the field of mammography. The method of obtaining radiological images in galactography comprises acquiring of a first radiological image of the breast in a compressed state: introducing a contrast medium in a part of the breast; acquiring at least a second radiological image of the breast in the compressed state and with contrast medium; and partial or complete subtraction of the first image in relation to the second image, or vice versa. An apparatus for use of the method comprises means for maintaining a breast compressed or immobilized and means for holding a catheter or the like for introducing a contrast medium in the breast.
Claims40
A method of obtaining mammographic images intended for galactography, comprising the following steps:
- a. acquiring a first radiological image of the breast in a compressed or immobilized state:
- b. introducing a contrast medium in a part of the breast;
- c. acquiring at least a second radiological image of the breast in the compressed or immobilized state and with contrast medium;
- and
- d. partial or complete subtraction of the first image in relation to the second image, or vice versa.
An apparatus for obtaining mammographic images comprising combined in one unit:
- means for maintaining a breast compressed or immobilized;
- and
- means for holding a catheter or the like for introducing a contrast medium in the breast.
A mammography system comprising an apparatus combined in one unit:
- means for maintaining a breast compressed or immobilized;
- means for holding a catheter or the like for introducing a contrast medium in the breast;
- the apparatus being set up on the axis of emission of an X-ray source a digital X-ray detector;
- means for control;
- and
- means for processing the images obtained by the latter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.