Cone beam ct imaging and image-guided procedures

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for detecting and biopsying lesions with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. The system comprises, in some embodiments, a CBCT device configured to output a cone beam CT image of at least a portion of a patient's breast and a multi-axis transport module, having at least three degrees of freedom and configured to position a biopsy needle within a 3D frame of reference based on inputs received from the cone beam CT device. The transport module can be configured to place the biopsy needle adjacent to, or within, a target of interest within the breast. Also disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for testing CBCT systems with phantoms.

1 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A system for clamping a breast during a biopsy procedure, the system comprising:
 a base comprising stepped plates;   a compression plate attached to the base; and   a grid holder slidably attached to the base and comprising a ratcheting flap configured to engage the stepped plates to lock the grid holder in place.   
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the stepped plates are configured to engages with the ratcheting flap in 1 mm steps. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising an upper ring connected to the base by a plurality of rods. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the base further comprises rails and the grid holder comprises rail slots slidably mounted to the rails. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the base further comprises a central window. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the compression plate is slidably attached to the base, and comprises a ratcheting flap configured to engage corresponding stepped plates to lock the compression plate in place. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the compression plate further comprises rail slots that slidably cooperate with the rails. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the compression plate is X-ray translucent. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the grid holder further comprises grid rails and grid clamps, the grid clamps are configured to hold a grid, and each grid clamp has an opening through which a grid rail is slidably received. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the grid clamps comprise inserts configured to friction fit into apertures of a grid. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein each grid clamp comprises a switch configured to lock the position of the grid clamp on the grid rail. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising a grid. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising a needle block. 
     
     
         63 . A system for clamping a breast during a biopsy procedure, the system comprising:
 a base comprising stepped plates;   a compression plate slidably attached to the base and comprising a ratcheting flap configured to engage the stepped plates to lock the compression plate in place; and   a grid holder attached to the base.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the stepped plates are configured to engages with the ratcheting flap in 1 mm steps. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising an upper ring connected to the base by a plurality of rods. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the base further comprises rails and the compression plate comprises rail slots that slidably cooperate with the rails. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the base further comprises a central window. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the grid holder is slidably attached to the base, and comprises a ratcheting flap configured to engage corresponding stepped plates to lock the grid holder plate in place. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the grid holder further comprises grid rails and grid clamps, the grid clamps are configured to hold a grid, and each grid clamp has an opening through which a grid rail is slidably received. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein each grid clamp comprises a switch configured to lock the position of the grid clamp on the grid rail.