Intermediate density marker and a method using such a marker for radiographic examination
DCFirst Claim
1. A non-toxic marker for mammographic examination of breast tissue that may anatomical detail present in the tissue, wherein a source of x-ray radiation is provided for generating radiation at a predetermined energy level suitable for imaging breast tissue, the marker is positioned on the breast tissue, and the marker and breast tissue are exposed to the x-ray radiation at the predetermined energy level to generate a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, the marker comprising:
- a first outer surface for contacting a patient'"'"'s breast tissue;
a second outer surface located on an opposite side of the marker relative to the first outer surface; and
at least one non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material located therebetween, said at least one non-toxic partially radiolucednt, partially radiopaque material defining a density and thickness based on a density of breast tissue and the predetermined energy level of the radiation provided which absorbs from about 20% to about 75% of the incident radiation and, in turn, generates a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon with any anatomical detail present in the tissue clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the maker.
0 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker and a method for using such a marker for radiographic examination. The marker and the disclosed method may be employed for the examination of tissue structures of various densities. The radiographic density and thickness of the marker are selected so that when the marker and an underlying tissue structure are exposed to x-ray radiation of a specified energy, the marker casts a legible shadow without obscuring anatomical detail present in the underlying tissue structure. The invention also provides a system of partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque markers for use in the method of radiographic examination taught by the invention.
89 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A non-toxic marker for mammographic examination of breast tissue that may anatomical detail present in the tissue, wherein a source of x-ray radiation is provided for generating radiation at a predetermined energy level suitable for imaging breast tissue, the marker is positioned on the breast tissue, and the marker and breast tissue are exposed to the x-ray radiation at the predetermined energy level to generate a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, the marker comprising:
a first outer surface for contacting a patient'"'"'s breast tissue;
a second outer surface located on an opposite side of the marker relative to the first outer surface; and
at least one non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material located therebetween, said at least one non-toxic partially radiolucednt, partially radiopaque material defining a density and thickness based on a density of breast tissue and the predetermined energy level of the radiation provided which absorbs from about 20% to about 75% of the incident radiation and, in turn, generates a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon with any anatomical detail present in the tissue clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the maker.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 22, 23)
-
11. A method of mammographic examination of breast tissue that may have anatomical detail present in the tissue, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a source of x-ray radiation having a predetermined energy level capable of generating radiation suitable for imaging breast tissue; providing a non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker having a radiographic density and thickness which, based on the density of a breast tissue and the predetermined energy level of the radiation provided, absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation and permits the marker to both project a radiographic shadow and transmit sufficient radiation to image anatomical detail present in breast tissue when the marker and the tissue are exposed to the predetermined level of x-ray radiation during mammographic examination; positioning the marker on the breast tissue; and exposing the marker and the tissue to the x-ray radiation at the predetermined energy level, and generating a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon with any anatomical detail present in the tissue clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 15, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
16. A non-toxic marker for radiographic examination of tissue that may have anatomical detail present in the tissue, wherein a source of x-ray radiation is provided for generating radiation at a predetermined energy level suitable for imaging tissue having a predetermined tissue density, the marker is positioned on the tissue, and the marker and tissue are exposed to the x-ray radiation at the predetermined energy level to generate a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, the marker comprising:
-
a first outer surface for contacting a patient'"'"'s skin; a second outer surface located on an opposite side of the marker relative to the first outer surface; and at least one non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material located between the first and second outer surfaces, said at least one non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material defining a density and thickness based on the predetermined tissue density and the predetermined energy level of the radiation provided which absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation and, in turn, generates a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon with anatomical detail present in the tissue clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker, and said at least one non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material is of a uniform density such that the radiographic image of the marker has a uniform, translucent appearance without visible irregularities, conflicting striations or granulations which might obscure the resolution of underlying anatomical detail. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of radiographic examination of tissue that may have anatomical detail present in the tissue, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a source of x-ray radiation having a predetermined energy level capable of generating radiation suitable for imaging a predetermined tissue density; providing a non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker having a radiographic density and thickness which permit the marker to both project a radiographic shadow and transmit sufficient radiation to image anatomical detail present in tissue having the predetermined tissue density, when the marker and the tissue are exposed to the predetermined level of x-ray radiation during radiographic examination, said providing step including providing a marker having a density and thickness based on the predetermined tissue density and the predetermined energy level of the radiation provided that absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation, and that includes a non-toxic partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque material of a uniform density such that the radiographic image of the marker has a uniform, translucent appearance without visible irregularities, conflicting striations or granulations which might obscure the resolution of underlying anatomical detail; positioning the marker on the tissue having the predetermined tissue density; and exposing the marker and the tissue to the x-ray radiation at the predetermined energy level, and generating a radiographic image of the tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon with any anatomical detail present in the tissue clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker.
-
Specification