Apparatus and method for three dimensional ultrasound breast imaging

Abstract

An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography includes: an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means for converting the output of the transducer array into three dimensional renderings of anatomical features; and, an applicator device having a first side conformable to the contour of the transducer array and a second side configured to accept the breast, the applicator device further containing a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize the breast during examination without substantially altering the breast from its natural shape.

1 . An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography comprising:
 an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means for converting the output of said transducer array into three dimensional renderings of anatomical features;   an applicator device having a first side and a second side, said first side being conformable to the contour of said transducer array and said second side configured to accept the breast, said applicator device further containing a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize said breast during examination without substantially altering said breast from its natural shape; and,   a means for providing acoustic coupling between said transducer array and said applicator device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the active surface of said transducer array is substantially flat. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the active surface of said transducer array is concave. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the active elements of said transducer array comprise devices fabricated from one of the group consisting of piezoelectric materials and capacitively actuated micro-machined silicon devices. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said applicator device comprises a cup with an open end to accommodate said breast and a closed end conformable to said transducer, said fluid filling the remaining volume of said cup. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said applicator device comprises a flexible bag having a first surface facing said transducer assembly and a second surface facing said breast, said fluid partially inflating said bag to enhance sonic coupling between said transducer and said breast. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said applicator device is disposable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said signal processing means comprises at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of image analysis algorithms, image enhancement algorithms, pixel mapping, color space transforms, time averaging, neighborhood operations algorithms, linear filtering, boundary detection, non-linear filtering, normalized correlation, and geometric pattern matching, whereby images consisting of 2D or 3D representations of breast anatomy may be presented on a monitor for radiological interpretation. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         10 . A method for ultrasonic mammography comprising:
 configuring an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means to create three dimensional renderings of anatomical features in a human breast;   disposing one end of an applicator device into contact with said transducer array;   disposing the other end of said applicator device into contact with said breast and introducing a fluid into said applicator device, whereby said fluid provides a continuous path for ultrasonic signals into and out of said breast during examination and said device stabilizes said breast during data acquisition without substantially deforming said breast from its natural shape.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the active surface of said transducer array is substantially flat. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the active surface of said transducer array is concave. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the active elements of said transducer array comprise devices fabricated from one of the group consisting of piezoelectric materials and capacitively actuated micro-machined silicon devices. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said applicator device comprises a cup with an open end to accommodate said breast and a closed end conformable to said transducer, said fluid filling the remaining volume of said cup. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said applicator device comprises a flexible bag having a first surface facing said transducer assembly and a second surface facing said breast, said fluid partially inflating said bag to enhance sonic coupling between said transducer and said breast. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said applicator device is disposable. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said signal processing means comprises at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of image analysis algorithms, image enhancement algorithms, pixel mapping, color space transforms, time averaging, neighborhood operations algorithms, linear filtering, boundary detection, non-linear filtering, normalized correlation, and geometric pattern matching, whereby images consisting of 2D or 3D representations of breast anatomy may be presented on a monitor for radiological interpretation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said fluid comprises water.