초록 ▼

A computer controlled apparatus for detecting breast tumors by mechanically palpating a breast in a full scan manner to detect small lumps or anomalies. The patient is positioned on a fully adjustable bed and oriented relative to the apparatus. A detection head mounted for movement in three dimensio

A computer controlled apparatus for detecting breast tumors by mechanically palpating a breast in a full scan manner to detect small lumps or anomalies. The patient is positioned on a fully adjustable bed and oriented relative to the apparatus. A detection head mounted for movement in three dimensions is positioned above the bed. A palpation finger is brought into pressure contact with a sequence of small areas across the entire breast, palpating each area to measure tissue density. Concurrent with the palpation scan, a scan of breast color and temperature is conducted. A locator head positions the detector for the scan in a manner that assures repeatability during each of a series of periodic examinations. This system detects very small lumps and allows easy, accurate monitoring of suspicious areas over an extended time period. Several different embodiments of the detection head and location head are described.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A location head for use with an apparatus for detecting small breast anomalies, which comprises:a first housing having an open end; a second housing slidably moveable into and out of said open end; means for moving said second housing into and out of said open end; an automatic focussing optical

1. A location head for use with an apparatus for detecting small breast anomalies, which comprises:a first housing having an open end; a second housing slidably moveable into and out of said open end; means for moving said second housing into and out of said open end; an automatic focussing optical system in said second housing for achieving optical focus at a surface spaced from said optical system; said automatic focussing optical system comprising means for moving said optical system to achieve said optical focus and means for measuring movement of said optical system; at least one laser diode unit for projecting a laser beam onto said surface to produce a light dot; and means for adjusting said laser beam to an angle of about 90.degree. to said surface including means for sensing maximum reflected light intensity.