US3973126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mammography
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-07-31
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A mammography machine for examination of a pendant breast contained in a fluid transmission medium. Patient suppport is provided at the upper rib cage, lower rib cage, and the shoulder adjacent the breast undergoing examination. X-rays scans are accomplished by rotation about a vertical axis extending through the pendant breast. Patient loading is facilitated by a fabric sling rotatably affixed about a horizontal axis adjacent the lower body of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Rowland W. Redington
- 👤 John L. Henkes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/502; A61B6/04; A61B6/0407; A61B6/0435; A61B6/44; A61B6/4423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An improved mammograph adapted for the tomographic, x-ray examination of human mammae of the type including an x-ray source disposed adjacent a mamma, a detector disposed adjacent said mamma and opposite said x-ray source, and means for receiving electrical signals from said detector and for providing therefrom tomographic images of the internal structure of said mamma; comprising as an improvement: means for positioning and supporting a female humanoid patient in prone position with pendant mamma; a fluid medium disposed about and surrounding said pendant mamma; and scanning means for rotating said x-ray source and said detector about a vertical axis passing through said mamma.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An improved mammograph adapted for the tomographic, x-ray examination of human mammae of the type including an x-ray source disposed adjacent a mamma, a detector disposed adjacent said mamma and opposite said x-ray source, and means for receiving electrical signals from said detector and for providing therefrom tomographic images of the internal structure of said mamma; comprising as an improvement: means for positioning and supporting a female humanoid patient in prone position with pendant mamma; a fluid medium disposed about and surrounding said pendant mamma; and scanning means for rotating said x-ray source and said detector about a vertical axis passing through said mamma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The mammograph of claim 1 wherein the fluid medium comprises water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mammograph of claim 1 wherein the scanning means are adapted for rotating the detector means at least 360° about the axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mammograph of claim 3 wherein said scanning means are adapted for translating the detector parallel to the axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mammograph of claim 4 wherein said x-ray source is adapted for producing a divergent x-ray beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mammograph of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning and supporting comprise a fabric sling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mammograph of claim 6 wherein the sling is adapted to support the lower rib cage of the patient adjacent the mamma.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mammograph of claim 7 wherein the means for positioning and supporting are perforated to define an aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mammograph of claim 8 comprising means for positioning the pendant mamma through said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mammograph of claim 9 wherein the means for positioning the pendant mamma comprise means for supporting an area of the upper rib cage of the patient opposite said mamma.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mammograph of claim 10 wherein the means for supporting the upper rib cage of the patient comprise an adjustable cushion disposed adjacent the aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mammograph of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning and supporting the patient comprise a table including a fabric sling, means for supporting a shoulder of the patient, and cushions for supporting an area of the upper rib cage of the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mammograph of claim 12 wherein the table further comprises substantially rigid elements for supporting the hips and lower body of the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mammograph of claim 13 wherein the table is rotatably affixed about a horizontal axis adjacent the lower body of the patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mammograph of claim 14 further comprising means for positioning and retaining the table in a substantially vertical plane whereby loading and positioning of the patient is facilitated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mammograph of claim 15 wherein said table further comprises a footrest extending from said rigid elements and adapted to support the patient at such times as the table is in a substantially vertical position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The mammograph of claim 16 wherein the sling comprises canvas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mammograph of claim 17 further comprising a disposable pad disposed between the patient and the table.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mammograph of claim 17 wherein the fluid comprises water, wetting agents, and antifoaming agents.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mammograph of claim 19 further comprising means for vacuum degassing the water.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of tomographic mammography comprising the steps of: supporting a female humanoid patient in prone position with pendant mamma; immersing said mamma in a fluid medium; rotating an x-ray tomographic source and an x-ray tomographic detector about a vertical axis passing through said mamma; and reconstructing tomographic images from information received from said detector.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of tomographic mammography comprising the steps of: supporting a female humanoid patient in prone position with pendant mamma; immersing said mamma in a fluid medium; rotating an x-ray tomographic source and an x-ray tomographic detector about a vertical axis passing through said mamma; and reconstructing tomographic images from information received from said detector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said supporting step comprises supporting the patient at the lower rib cage, a shoulder adjacent the mamma and the upper rib cage opposite said mamma.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of positioning the patient against a substantially vertical support structure and rotating said structure to a substantially horizontal plane.
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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |