Ridged compression assembly for mammography apparatus

Claim 1

A breast compression assembly for a mammography apparatus, comprising: (a) a first compression plate having a first compression surface extending from an input edge thereof; (b) a second compression plate having a second compression surface extending from an input edge thereof; wherein at least one of said first or second compression plates includes an associated ridge member extending from said input edge and beyond said compression surface of said associated plate at least partially in a direction substantially perpendicular to said surface at its input edge, and further comprising: (c) means for positioning said compression plates whereby said first compression surface of said first compression plate is opposite to said second compression surface of said second compression plate, and whereby said input edges of said first and second compression plates are substantially opposite each other; and (d) means for selectively controlling the separation between said compression surfaces along a reference axis substantially perpendicular to said surfaces; whereby a breast inserted between said input edges of said plates may be pulled away from the chest wall and captively held and compressed between said opposite compression surfaces by biasing said first and second compression plates toward each other and against said inserted breast.