System for providing scanning medium

Abstract

A system for providing scanning medium for scanning a volume of tissue comprising: an inner chamber that contains the scanning medium; a transducer mounted to the inner chamber and configured to move along a motion path, with the inner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue; an outer chamber concentrically aligned about the inner chamber to guide the inner chamber along the motion path; a piston module defining a base surface within the inner chamber, the piston module comprising a medium inlet and a medium outlet for adjusting an amount of the scanning medium within the inner chamber; a detection subsystem coupled to the base surface of the piston module; and an actuator comprising a stationary portion mounted to the piston module and a moving portion coupled to the inner chamber and configured to produce motion of the inner chamber along the motion path.

1 .- 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A system for scanning a volume of tissue of a patient, the system comprising:
 a chamber containing a scanning medium;   a transducer configured to move along a first motion path within the chamber thereby scanning the volume of tissue, wherein the transducer comprises an array of ultrasound elements configured to surround the volume of tissue;   an actuator comprising a portion of a base surface of the chamber, wherein the actuator is configured to move along a second motion path within the chamber;   an opening into the chamber proximate the actuator, wherein an amount of the scanning medium is configured to flow through the opening.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the amount of the scanning medium is adjusted in response to movement of the transducer or the actuator within the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is coupled to a module, wherein the module comprises a detection subsystem comprising at least one of an optical sensor module and a temperature sensor module. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a frustoconical patient interface surface including an aperture configured to receive the volume of tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture is sized and shaped to receive the volume of tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the frustoconical patient interface comprises a patient support surface that aligns with the frustoconical patient interface and facilitates reception of the volume of tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the transducer is a ring transducer and wherein the ring transducer is configured to move along a posterior-to-anterior axis of the volume of tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein an interface between the module and the chamber is hermetically sealed as the module moves along the second motion path. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein an interface between the transducer and the chamber is hermetically sealed as the transducer moves along the first motion path. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel is in contact with the actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the amount of the scanning medium is coordinated with the motion of the transducer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the amount of the scanning medium is coordinated with the motion of the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a subsystem of the actuator is configured to facilitate retention of the volume of tissue in position during scanning. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first motion path or the second motion path is a non-linear motion path or a motion path in multiple coordinate directions. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator is configured to produce motion of the chamber or the module. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the module or the actuator is coupled to the chamber via isolation mounts, wherein the isolation mounts allow freedom of motion of the module or the actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the chamber comprises an inner chamber and an outer chamber configured to move telescopically along the first or the second motion path. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the chamber is connected to a base, wherein the chamber receives the volume of tissue of a prone patient supported by the base. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the system further comprises a controller operable to control a position of the transducer or the actuator. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the volume of tissue is a patient breast.