US 12,144,668 B2
Upright x-ray breast imaging with a CT mode, multiple tomosynthesis modes, and a mammography mode
Andrew P. Smith, Lexington, MA (US); Jay A. Stein, Boston, MA (US); Ken Defreitas, Patterson, NY (US); Ian Shaw, Yorktown Heights, NY (US); Zhenxue Jing, Chadds Ford, PA (US); Loren Niklason, N. Tetonia, ID (US); Baorui Ren, Andover, MA (US); and Christopher Ruth, Boxford, MA (US)
Assigned to Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed by Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/517,892.
Application 17/517,892 is a continuation of application No. 16/720,111, filed on Dec. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,191,502.
Application 16/720,111 is a continuation of application No. 15/719,852, filed on Sep. 29, 2017, granted, now 10,561,387, issued on Feb. 18, 2020.
Application 15/719,852 is a continuation of application No. 14/330,533, filed on Jul. 14, 2014, granted, now 9,808,214, issued on Nov. 7, 2017.
Application 14/330,533 is a continuation of application No. 13/253,728, filed on Oct. 5, 2011, granted, now 8,787,522, issued on Jul. 22, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/390,053, filed on Oct. 5, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0133252 A1, May 5, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 6/50 (2024.01); A61B 6/00 (2024.01); A61B 6/02 (2006.01); A61B 6/03 (2006.01); A61B 6/04 (2006.01); A61B 6/40 (2024.01); A61B 6/46 (2024.01)
CPC A61B 6/502 (2013.01) [A61B 6/025 (2013.01); A61B 6/027 (2013.01); A61B 6/032 (2013.01); A61B 6/04 (2013.01); A61B 6/0414 (2013.01); A61B 6/405 (2013.01); A61B 6/4441 (2013.01); A61B 6/4447 (2013.01); A61B 6/461 (2013.01); A61B 6/463 (2013.01); A61B 6/466 (2013.01); A61B 6/482 (2013.01); A61B 6/5235 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-mode imaging system for imaging a breast of a patient, the multi-mode imaging system comprising:
a support for supporting the multi-mode imaging system on a floor;
a column movably coupled to the support between a first position disposed substantially vertically relative to the floor and a second position disposed at an angle to the floor;
an immobilization unit linearly moveably coupled to the column, wherein the immobilization unit is configured to immobilize the breast during imaging procedures;
an imaging source rotatable relative to the column and the immobilization unit;
an imaging detector; and
a data acquisition unit coupled to the imaging source and the imaging detector and configured to selectively operate the multi-mode imaging system in a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode, wherein the imaging source is configured to rotate along a first range of motion when the multi-mode imaging system is operating in the first imaging mode and along a second range of motion when the multi-mode imaging system is operating in the second imaging mode, and wherein the first range of motion is greater than the second range of motion.