Diagnostic tomographic laser imaging apparatus

• US 6,662,042 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Grable
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Grable
• Inventors: Grable, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): QADERI, RUNA S
• Application Number:
  US09/642,581
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 600/473, 600/476, 600/407, 600/310, 250/358.1, 250/330, 250/332, D24/183, 560/0
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0073 by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections A61B5/0066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/704 Tables

Abstract

A laser imaging apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a female patient in frontdown, prone position, including an opening permitting a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below the surface of the platform; scanning mechanism disposed below the platform to scan the breast without breast compression. The scanning mechanism includes a source of coherent near infrared light pulses operably directed to the breast; photodetectors operably disposed to detect the light pulses after passing through the breast; circuit for deriving voltages proportional to the intensity of the received pulses; and computer programmed for storing and displaying images of tissue in the breast derived from the voltages.

Claims

1. A patient support structure for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprising:

a) a non-vertically movable and non-tiltable platform including a top surface to support a female patient in front-down, prone position;

b) said platform including an opening adapted to permit a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below said surface in air; and

c) a scanning mechanism to image the internal structure of the breast, said scanning mechanism being disposed below said opening to scan the breast without breast compression.

2. A patient support structure as in claim 1, wherein:

a) said top surface is substantially horizontal.

3. A patient support structure as in claim 1, wherein:

a) said platform is non-movable.

4. A patient support structure as in claim 1, wherein:

a) said scanning mechanism comprises a laser beam for passing through the breast; and

b) a plurality of photodetectors disposed to detect the laser beam after passage through the breast.

5. A patient support structure as in claim 4, wherein said photodetectors are disposed around said opening.

6. A patient support structure as in claim 5, wherein said photodetectors are disposed in an arc around said opening.

7. A patient support structure as in claim 4, wherein said photodetectors are non-orbitable with respect to said opening.

8. A patient support structure as in claim 4, wherein said laser beam moves synchronously with said photodetectors around the breast.

9. A patient support structure as in claim 1, and further comprising a mechanism to vertically move said scanning mechanism in increments to image the breast at several horizontal planes.