Apparatus for detecting very small breast anomalies
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting anomalies in breast tissue which comprises:
- a movable carriage;
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 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; and
means for moving said carriage in at least one direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled apparatus for detecting breast tumors by mechanically palpating in a full surface scan manner to detect even very small lumps or other anomalies. The patient is positioned on a fully adjustable bed and oriented relative the apparatus. A detection head mounted for movement in three dimensions is positioned above the bed. A palpation finger is brought into pressure contact with a sequence of small areas across the entire breast, palpating each area to measure tissue density. Concurrent with the palpation scan, a scan of breast color and temperature is conducted. A locator head positions the detector for the scan in a manner that assures repeatability of the palpation scan during each of a series of periodic examinations. This system detects very small lumps and allows easy, accurate, monitoring of suspicious areas over an extended time period.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for detecting anomalies in breast tissue which comprises:
-
a movable carriage;
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 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; and
means for moving said carriage in at least one direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. 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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification