Patent ID: 6195580
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A laser imaging apparatus, comprising:a) a non-vertically movable and non-tiltable platform including a top surface to support a female patient in front-down, prone position;b) said platform including an opening adapted to permit a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below said surface;c) a scanning chamber disposed below said opening to receive therein the breast;d) said scanning chamber including a source of laser beam for passing through the breast and at least one photodetector adapted to respond to the laser beam exiting the breast, said at least one photodetector having a response curve with a leading edge component;e) a time-gate switch circuit for sampling said leading edge component of said response curve for said at least one photodetector; andf) a computer programmed to generate an image of the scanned breast from the sampled leading edge component of said response curve.