US 12,127,864 B2
Membrane-based breast compression systems
Alan Rego, Marlborough, MA (US); and Joseph Vartolone, Marlborough, MA (US)
Assigned to Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed by Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed on May 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/196,029.
Application 18/196,029 is a continuation of application No. 16/981,528, granted, now 11,684,323, previously published as PCT/US2019/033703, filed on May 23, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/676,667, filed on May 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0301607 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 6/04 (2006.01); A61B 6/00 (2024.01); A61B 6/02 (2006.01); A61B 6/50 (2024.01)
CPC A61B 6/0414 (2013.01) [A61B 6/025 (2013.01); A61B 6/44 (2013.01); A61B 6/502 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compression element for a breast imaging system, the compression element comprising:
a bracket body for releasably securing the compression element to a compression arm of the breast imaging system;
a rigid frame extending from the bracket body, wherein the rigid frame comprises:
a first lateral arm extending from the bracket body;
a second lateral arm extending from the bracket body substantially parallel to the first lateral arm; and
a span connecting the first lateral arm and the second lateral arm, wherein the span connects ends of the first lateral arm and the second lateral arm at a location opposite the bracket body;
a flexible membrane extending from the span towards the bracket body; and
a position adjustment mechanism secured to the bracket body, wherein a portion of the flexible membrane disposed opposite the span is secured to the position adjustment mechanism, and wherein the position adjustment mechanism comprises:
a housing secured to the bracket body and elongated in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the extension of the first and second lateral arms;
an actuator disposed within the housing; and
a rod engaged with the actuator, wherein the rod comprises an interior portion disposed within the housing and an exterior portion disposed outside of the housing, and wherein the flexible membrane is secured to the exterior portion, and wherein the actuator is configured to adjust a position of the rod relative to the bracket body and along the direction of the elongated housing.