| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus (10) is provided that combines mammography equipment with an ultrasonic transducer (16) to generate ultrasonic images of the internal structure of breast tissue that are in geometric registration with a mammogram. The apparatus includes a radiolucent and sonolucent compression plate (15), and in alternative embodiments, a gantry driven ultrasound transducer (16) or a phased array ultrasonic transducer. Methods are provided for generating a mammogram and a plurality of corresponding ultrasound images without moving the breast between the mammogram exposure and the ultrasound imaging. Methods are also provided for viewing and analyzing the ultra sound images. Apparatus and methods are also provided for enhancing X-ray images obtained from conventional mammographic systems, and with reduced overall X-ray dosage to the patient.</p> |
