Ultrasonic cellular tissue screening tool

• US 7,445,599 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonocine, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonocine, Inc.
• Inventors: Kelly, Kevin M., Royce, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US10/328,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,143 Days
• Field of Search: 600407-472, 600/300, 600/474, 600/415, 2 69-114, 226/7, 223/7, 450 1- 57, 450 36- 38, 450 55- 58, 128/890, 128/916, 607/108, 601/133, 601/4, 434/267
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/085 for locating body or organic structures, e.g. tumours, calculi, blood vessels, nodules
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/145 characterised by scanning multiple planes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/406 using means for diagnosing suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4218 characterised by articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4444 related to the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/488 involving Doppler signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5223 for extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data for algorithms to analyse biomedical images G06T7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors

Abstract

A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue includes a fabric covering, which is adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning, an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue, and a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue. The pad is placed beneath and held in place by the fabric covering, and the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.

Claims

1. A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue, comprising

a fabric covering for the breast tissue, adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning;

and

an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue;

a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, wherein the pad is placed beneath and held in place by the fabric covering;

wherein the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the covering is constructed with one or more chain stitched seams.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pad is ultrasonically conductive and has different ultrasonic characteristics than breast tissue.

4. A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue, comprising:

a fabric covering for the breast tissue, adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning; and

an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue;

wherein the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference; and

wherein the covering is pre-impregnated with the ultrasonic coupling agent.

5. A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue, comprising:

a fabric covering for the breast tissue, adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning; and

an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue;

wherein the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference; and

wherein the covering provides a pattern that can be used by an optical movement sensor.

6. An aid for ultrasound breast scanning comprising:

a fabric covering for the breast tissue, adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning, the covering being constructed with one or more chain stitched seams; and

a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, the pad being ultrasonically conductive and having different ultrasonic characteristics than breast tissue, said pad placed beneath the fabric covering and held in place by the fabric covering.

7. A system to aid in ultrasound scanning breast tissue, comprising

a fabric covering for the breast tissue, adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning;

a lenticular-shaped pad placed over the nipple, said pad being ultrasonically conductive and having different ultrasonic characteristics than breast tissue, the fabric covering being positioned over the pad to hold the pad in place during scanning; and

an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue;

wherein the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.

8. A method to aid in the ultrasonic scanning of breast tissue comprising

placing a fabric covering over the breast tissue which is adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning;

using an ultrasonic coupling agent in conjunction with the fabric covering;

placing a pad over the nipple of the breast tissue and beneath the fabric covering, said pad being ultrasonically conductive and having different ultrasonic characteristics than breast tissue and said pad being held in place by the fabric covering; and

moving an ultrasound probe atop the covering across the breast tissue during scanning, including traversing the periphery of the pad at least once.