Patent ID: 8942342
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: an x-ray source configured to emit x-rays into an examination region within which an object under examination is examined; a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the x-rays; an ultrasound component configured to emit ultrasound waves into the examination region in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which x-rays are emitted, the ultrasound component operatively coupled to a compression paddle, a surface of the compression paddle which contacts the object laying in a plane extending in an x-direction and a y-direction and the ultrasound component configured for movement within the compression paddle in the x-direction and the y-direction, such that a distance between a trajectory of a center x-ray beam and the ultrasound component is adjustable and such that, at a first time, the ultrasound component contacts the object and, at a second time, the ultrasound component does not contact the object; and an ultrasound image apparatus configured to generate an ultrasound image of at least a portion of the object based upon a degree of attenuation experienced by at least some of the ultrasound waves.