A dual modality X-ray and ultrasound mammography system with fluid filled scanning assembly housing

摘要

An automated biological tissue imaging system 10 has first and second compression surfaces for compressing biological tissue 32, and a removable scanning assembly 12 having a housing 28 defining a scanning surface 30 acting as the first compression surface. A compression plate 34 acts as the second compression surface. An ultrasonic transducer 38 and an X-ray detector 36 are mounted within the housing 28 adjacent the scanning surface 30. A drive is provided to move the ultrasound transducer 38 across the scanning surface 30. Both ultrasound and X-ray tissue images are generated. The housing 28 is hermetically sealed and the interior region 43 is filled with non-conductive fluid (e.g. mineral oil) with acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue 32. The scanning surface 30 has acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue and can substantially withstand compression forces applied to the tissue. The housing 28 includes electrical connectors for connecting the transducer and drive to control circuitry of the imaging device. The scanning assembly 12 is detachable (figs. 4) and may be retrofitted to existing systems. Methods of manufacture of the scanning assembly, setting X-ray exposure, enabling compression reduction and enabling X-ray dose reduction are also provided.