Optically adaptable breast compression element
First Claim
1. A compression element for a breast holding arrangement for a mammography examination, the compression element comprising:
- a supporting structure configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination;
a first surface; and
a second surface;
wherein the first and second surfaces are attached to the supporting structure;
wherein the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions;
wherein the second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination;
wherein the first surface is provided to be visible to a user;
wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface; and
wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is configured to change to different levels of transparency depending on a state of the mammography examination.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to compression of breasts during mammography, and in particular to a compression element for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations. In order to ensure an increased user comfort and an improved application of pressure force, a compression element (10) for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations is provided, comprising a supporting structure (12), a first surface (14), and a second surface (16). The supporting structure is configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination. The first and second surfaces are attached to the support structure; and the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions. The second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination. The first surface is provided to be visible to a user, wherein the first surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface (18). The first and second surfaces are provided to be at least temporarily partly transparent.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A compression element for a breast holding arrangement for a mammography examination, the compression element comprising:
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a supporting structure configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination; a first surface; and a second surface; wherein the first and second surfaces are attached to the supporting structure;
wherein the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions;wherein the second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination; wherein the first surface is provided to be visible to a user; wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface; and wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is configured to change to different levels of transparency depending on a state of the mammography examination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16)
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11. A mammography imaging system, comprising:
an image acquiring device configured to acquire image data of a breast to be examined; and a breast holding arrangement comprising a support element for supporting the breast during an imaging procedure, and a compression element for applying a compression force during the imaging procedure, the compression element comprising; a supporting structure configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination; a first surface; and a second surface; wherein the first and second surfaces are attached to the supporting structure; wherein the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions; wherein the second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination; wherein the first surface is provided to be visible to a user; wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface; and wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is configured to change to different levels of transparency depending on a state of the mammography examination. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for a mammography examination, comprising:
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arranging a breast to be examined between a support element and a compression element and compressing the breast, wherein during the arranging, the compression element provides a first at least partly transparent state; adapting an optically adaptable at least one of a first surface and a second surface of the compression element visible to a user; and conducting the examination of the breast, wherein the examination comprises acquiring at least one image of the breast; and controlling the compression element wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface change to different levels of transparency depending on a state of the mammography examination.
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14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored a computer program which, when executed by a computer unit, is adapted to perform a method for a mammography examination, comprising:
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compressing a breast arranged to be examined within a compression element, wherein during the arranging, controlling the compression element to provide a first at least partly transparent state; adapting an optically adaptable at least one of a first surface and a second surface of the compression element visible to a user; and conducting a determined examination of the breast, wherein the examination comprises acquiring at least one image of the breast; and controlling the compression element wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface change to different levels of transparency depending on a state of the examination.
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Specification