US3963933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mammography fixture
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-08-18
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A fixture for shaping and compressing a pendant breast during tomographic mammography procedures. The breast extends pendantly downward into a fluid transmission medium having x-ray absorption characteristics substantially equal to those of human tissue. The breast is upwardly compressed and shaped into a cylindrical form by a thin membrane containing a body of pressurized water and affixed to an upwardly directed concave pan. Tomographic scans are accomplished by rotating an x-ray source and detector about a vertical axis passing through the breast and translating the source and detector vertically along the axis.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Henkes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/44; A61B6/4429; A61B6/4435; A61B6/4441; A61B6/02; A61B6/027; A61B6/04; A61B6/0407; A61B6/0435; A61B6/50; A61B6/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A fixture for compressing a pendant breast during tomographic mammography procedures comprising: a substantially circular pan having an upwardly directed concave surface; a thin, elastic membrane disposed over said concave surface and sealably affixed to the circumference of said pan; and a first fluid transmission medium disposed between said pan and said membrane whereby a pendant breast compressed against said membrane is conformally pressed into a substantially cylindrical form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A fixture for compressing a pendant breast during tomographic mammography procedures comprising: a substantially circular pan having an upwardly directed concave surface; a thin, elastic membrane disposed over said concave surface and sealably affixed to the circumference of said pan; and a first fluid transmission medium disposed between said pan and said membrane whereby a pendant breast compressed against said membrane is conformally pressed into a substantially cylindrical form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fixture of claim 1 wherein said first fluid comprises materials having x-ray absorption densities substantially equal to those of soft human tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The fixture of claim 2 wherein said first fluid comprises water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fixture of claim 2 wherein said membrane extends convexly upward from said pan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fixture of claim 4 wherein the central, upper surface of said membrane is substantially flat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fixture of claim 4 wherein said membrane comprises polycarbonate plastic having a thickness between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.8 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The fixture of claim 4 wherein said membrane comprises latex.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fixture of claim 4 further comprising: means for vertically adjusting the position of said pan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The fixture of claim 8 further comprising: a substantially cylindrical container symmetrically disposed around said pan and said membrane and about a vertical axis oriented through said breast; and a second fluid transmission medium disposed within said container and around said pan and said membrane, said second fluid transmission medium having an x-ray absorption characteristic substantially equal to that of soft human tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The fixture of claim 9 further comprising: an x-ray source disposed outside and adjacent a vertical wall of said cylindrical container; and an x-ray detector disposed outside and adjacent a vertical wall of said cylindrical container and opposite said x-ray source, said x-ray source and said x-ray detector being further disposed in a common horizontal plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fixture of claim 10 further comprising: means for revolving said x-ray source and said x-ray detector symmetrically about a vertical axis passing through said breast, said membrane, and said cylindrical container and aligned coaxially therewith; and means for translating said x-ray source and said x-ray detector along said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |