US 12,484,870 B2
Systems and methods for measuring thickness of foam compressive elements
Kenneth F. Defreitas, Patterson, NY (US); and Baorui Ren, Andover, MA (US)
Assigned to Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
Appl. No. 18/556,153
Filed by Hologic, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 26, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/026336
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 19, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/232137, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 3, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/179,816, filed on Apr. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0180509 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 6/00 (2024.01); A61B 6/04 (2006.01); A61B 6/50 (2024.01)
CPC A61B 6/502 (2013.01) [A61B 6/0414 (2013.01); A61B 6/0421 (2013.01); A61B 6/542 (2013.01); A61B 6/545 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system, the method comprising:
supporting the breast on a breast support platform;
applying a compressive force to the breast with a breast immobilization element comprising a rigid substrate, a foam compressive element secured below the rigid substrate, and a force sensor, and wherein the foam compressive element is in contact with the breast during application of the compressive force;
detecting a force signal at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force;
determining a compressed thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor based at least in part on the detected force signal at the force sensor; and
setting an automatic exposure control based at least in part on the determined thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor.