Patent ID: 6647089
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for imaging tissues, in particular an apparatus for imaging breast tissue and tissue of the breast area, which apparatus comprises:a body part (11), a source of energy (13) used in the tissue (20) imaging and a receiver (14) for an energy form, said receiver containing image information of the tissue to be imaged, received from the source of energy (13), a control system of the imaging apparatus (1) and a positioning apparatus (50) for the tissue to be imaged (20), which positioning apparatus (50) includes a contact or compression device (11, 15, 16) which includes one of a contact surface approaching the tissue to be imaged (20), a contact or compression surface (22, 23), a continuous contact or compression surface encircling the tissue to be imaged (20), and a stretching device (30) for the tissue to be imaged, which includes stretching means (21) including a layer of flexible material that is translucent to the energy form used in the imaging, a traction or transportation means of the stretching means, means (37) for receiving the stretching means (21), and means for engaging the stretching means (21) to the traction or transportation means of the stretching device (30), wherein means (37) for receiving the stretching means (21) have been arranged to receive one of a rectangular, elongated sheet like and band like stretching means (21) from a direction of one end side, or from a corresponding direction in view of the shape of the stretching means (21).