Patent ID: 7850613
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography examination, said apparatus comprising: (a) a transducer unit having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured as a transducer array, the transducer array having a contour; (b) a signal processor for converting an output produced by the of said transducer array during an ultrasonic mammography examination into a rendering of one or more anatomical features of a breast of a patient; (c) an applicator device in a form of a cup having a first side and a second side, the first side, opposite or diagonal to the second side, being configured with a closed end conformable to the contour of the transducer array and the second side being configured with an open end to accept a breast of a patient within said applicator device for an ultrasonic mammography examination; wherein said applicator device is configured to receive a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize a breast when the breast is fitted through the open end of the second side and positioned within said applicator device for an ultrasonic mammography examination without substantially altering the stabilized breast positioned within said applicator device from its natural shape during an ultrasonic mammography examination; wherein the contour of the transducer array is disposed adjacent to the closed end of the first side of said applicator device during an ultrasonic mammography examination; wherein the transducer array is external to said applicator device; and wherein minimal or no movement occurs between said applicator device and the transducer array during an ultrasonic mammography examination of the stabilized breast positioned within said applicator device.