Molecular breast imaging system
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10617382-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-14
Expiration Date
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.
Core Innovation
A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape, and a variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.
This invention addresses several problems of current commercial solutions and prior patents, for examples: 1) in current dual-camera MBI systems the technologist cannot see the breast to properly position it while applying mild compression; 2) in current dual-camera MBI systems a biopsy cannot be easily performed because the biopsy device can only be introduced from the side between the two cameras; 3) in current dual-camera MBI systems no accurate depth of lesion information is available with standard parallel-hole collimation; 4) in current MBI systems, the chest wall is not imaged, so lesions can be missed; 5) a single-camera MBI system is only half as efficient as a dual-camera system; 6) in current MBI systems the collimators must be exchanged to alter their performance characteristics; 7) in current MBI systems the cameras are flat, but breasts are curved; 8) in current MBI systems only a few planar projection images are acquired; and 9) in current MBI systems, the compressive force can vary significantly with the view angle.
The invention provides a system comprising a stand with a rotatable gantry, two compression paddles and two gamma cameras with collimators connected to the gantry, and a computer with software to control system motions and acquire MBI images. One or both gamma cameras can be moved away from the breast to enable access for core needle biopsy or other surgical procedure through one or more apertures in one or both compression paddles, and the collimators in one embodiment have a pixel-registered slant-hole configuration or a variable-angle pixel-registered slant-hole configuration.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is identified (claim 1). The main inventive features extracted from claim 1 are listed below.
Movable gantry connected to a stand
A gantry connected to and movable in relation to a stand.
Articulated, mechanically independent support arms
A first support arm, a second support arm, a third support arm, and a fourth support arm, each articulated to the gantry and each mechanically independent and configured to be articulated independently relative to the gantry.
Independent gamma cameras and compression paddles
A first gamma camera connected to the first support arm, a second gamma camera connected to the second support arm, a first compression paddle connected to the third support arm, and a second compression paddle connected to the fourth support arm, wherein the first gamma camera, the second gamma camera, the first compression paddle, and the second compression paddle are each mechanically independent.
Pixel-registered slant-hole collimator oriented toward chest wall tissue
At least one pixel-registered collimator with slant holes, wherein the slant holes are configured to be positioned towards chest wall tissue.
Controller for motion control and image acquisition
A controller connected to the gantry to control movements of the gantry, movements of the support arms, and an acquisition of an image by at least one of the cameras.
Claim 1 covers a gantry-mounted MBI system architecture with articulated, mechanically independent support arms for two gamma cameras and two compression paddles, inclusion of at least one pixel-registered slant-hole collimator positioned toward chest wall tissue, and a controller that controls gantry and support arm movements and camera image acquisition.
Stated Advantages
Easier patient positioning because the technologist can see the breast through transparent compression paddles before positioning the gamma cameras.
Enables biopsy or surgery access by moving one or both gamma cameras away from the breast to expose apertures in compression paddles for core needle biopsy or ultrasound guidance.
Provides stereotactic lesion location and accurate depth information using pixel-registered slant-hole collimators, including a variable-angle slant-hole collimator that avoids exchanging collimators.
Allows imaging of chest wall tissue by slanting collimator holes inward toward the chest wall to reduce missed lesions near the chest wall.
Improves clinical workflow by permitting MBI-guided biopsy or surgery without moving the breast immediately after detecting a lesion.
Curved compression paddles and curved gamma cameras better conform to breast shape, and use of camera assembly angle to adjust compressive force yields more consistent compression across views.
Documented Applications
Cancer detection (screening)
Diagnosis
Image-guided intervention including biopsy and surgery
Therapy monitoring
Stereotactic MBI-guided biopsy or surgery
MBI screening or diagnostic examinations acquiring CC and MLO views for left and right breasts
Interested in licensing this patent?