SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR PERFORMING PERCUTANEOUS BIOPSY WITHIN THE BREAST USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY

摘要

There is provided a system and process for performing percutaneous biopsy within a breast using three-dimensional ultrasonography comprising: a breast positioning means; a breast immobilization means; an ultrasonographic imaging means; a biopsy instrument positioning means; the breast immobilizations means, the three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging means and the biopsy instrument positioning means positioned in a known relationship relative to each other; the breast immobilization means being employed to immobilize the breast and a lesion contained therein for imaging by the three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging means; and the three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging means being employed to assist an operator in positioning the biopsy instrument positioning means relative to the lesion and guiding a biopsy instrument percutaneously to the lesion.