Patent ID: 7349521

Claim:
A compression paddle comprising: a paddle base and a paddle wall comprising: a first side-wall; a second side-wall; wherein the first side-wall or the second side-wall are disposed upon the paddle base and inclined with respect to the paddle base at an angle that is effective to permit an x-ray beam from an x-ray source uninterrupted access to an object of interest, said object located on an opposing side of the paddle base from the x-ray source, wherein an angle between a central axis of the x-ray beam and a vertical to the paddle base taken at an inner surface of the first side-wall or an inner surface of the second side-wall is about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees; and bracket, wherein the bracket comprises a groove for fixedly attaching or matingly engaging the compression paddle; a first arm; and a second arm; each arm having the groove disposed therein; wherein the first arm and the second arm extend from a central portion of the bracket, and wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise angulated upper surfaces that permit an x-ray beam from an x-ray source uninterrupted access to an object of interest, said object located on an opposing side of the paddle base from the x-ray source, wherein an angle between a central axis of the x-ray beam and a vertical to the paddle base taken at an inner surface of the first arm or the inner surface of the second arm is about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees.