VERSATILE BREAST ULTRASOUND SCANNING

摘要

Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus ( 1202 ) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly ( 1208 ). The compression/scanning assembly ( 1208 ) comprises an ultrasound transducer ( 1304 ) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane ( 1218 ) in a substantially taut state, the membrane ( 1218 ) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly ( 1208 ) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer ( 1304 ) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners ( 1208, 1508 ) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.