Patent Application
20080043905
The present invention, as well as further objects and features thereof, are more clearly and fully set forth in the following description of the preferred embodiment, which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A core component of this invention is a portable stereotactic unit “Base” (121) located under the stereotactic unit and stage connected with a motorized arm (113) that enables the system to move up, down, left, right, horizontal rotation on its axis, and ultimately with its wheels provides mobility to the stereotactic unit (11). This detached base unit (including wheels and motorized arm) is one of the features that makes this invention unique. The base unit's wall panels (122) are removable allowing easy access to the motor and other mechanical/electrical parts. The wall panels (122) should be made of durable materials and can be in any shape or size. Other main accessories to the this base unit are but not limited to: a) brakes (120) for stability, b) foot pedal (110) to control height adjustments, compression, and all directional movements, and c) stereotactic unit hand control buttons (80) to allow the same controls available by the foot pedal using hands which can be accessed from any side of the stereotactic unit using its rotational movement and height control for the optimum access.
A second component is a detachable Operating Room bed extension (40) which is another unique feature of this invention. The Stereotactic Prone table attachment (40) for Existing Operating Room beds allows for the patient to lie down on the table in the prone position with the effective breast hanging through the opening (hole) (45). The table is then raised to the desired height allowing the Mammographer/Physician to position the breast for X-Ray and performing the procedure. This Attachment/extension (40) can be made with Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber or any combination of such materials and it is connected to the standard Operating Room Bed/Surgical bed (20) using its prong connectors (46) inserted to the Operating Room bed connection holes. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a portable motorized stereotactic bed (21) that has a built in positioning hole (45) within its top surface. This alternative will make the bed/table almost exclusive for stereotactic procedures.
A third component is a stereotactic unit (11) which is designed to go under the stereotactic table allowing positioning of the breast that is hanging through the table hole (45) for X-Ray and performance of Biopsies/Image Guided Lumpectomies, and etc. The main components of this unit are: a) X-Ray tube (180) for exposure and image acquisition of the affected breast, b) X-Y-Z Stage (101) where the biopsy instruments and other devices can be mount to, c) LCD panel (190) for visualization of the coordinates and other settings, d) X-Y-Z knobs (191) for movement of the stage and device, e) control buttons (192) to adjust settings on the LCD and motorized stage movement, f) Compression Paddle (60) to position the affected breast for radiograph and procedure utilizing the manual knob (61)/foot pedal (10)/or hand control buttons, g) Digital Detector (50) which receives the radiographic image of the affected breast and converts it to the digital image sending it to the computer workstation (140) for processing/targeting, h) stereo arm (51) which connects the x-ray tube and the digital detector together allowing 15 degrees of movement in both direction in order to obtain stereotactic images, and i) motor to move the stage up/down/left/right in order to position devices to the targeted areas. Another component is the mobile workstation cart (125) which consists of a) Computer Workstation that processes and manages data, b) workstation monitor (126) which displays images and files for targeting and manipulation, c) X-Ray Generator (150) which generates power for the x-ray exposures and it is uniquely mounted on the workstation cart (127) for complete mobility of the system in use, d) pullout table tray (130) which will give an additional workspace, and e) X-Ray controls (135) that allow manipulation and adjustment of the technical factors (Kvp, mAs, and filters) in order to capture optimum X-Ray images.
In addition, though not required, it is ideal for the mobile Workstation cart (125) to be detached from the stereotactic unit (10) for ease of movement. Also lights (170) and the pullout tray (130) are recommended for ease of operation. The unique contoured shape of the OR bed attachment (40) is also preferred for patient comfort as well as maximum access to the breast lesions.
Another embodiment of the present invention (10) includes a dedicated motorized portable stereotactic bed similar to 21 with the stereotactic unit (11) and arm (113) attached to it.
This invention can be used for diagnostic breast biopsies as well as image guided needle localization and lumpectomies. In addition, after performing the image guided lumpectomy, a Brachytherapy probe can be inserted into the breast cavity irradiating the capsule (lumpectomy site) for treating the cancerous area. This method can tremendously reduce the amount of time needed to diagnose, remove, and treating the cancerous breast lesions changing the way of today's standards for breast care management.
In addition to breast biopsies and Image guided lumpectomies, this invention can accommodate the use of Internal Beam Radiation Therapy & Balloon insertion for preserving the cavity, Ultrasound for the Breast, and PET Imaging of the Breast. In the event of a suspicious lesion, a balloon can be inserted into the biopsied area protecting the cavity for possible insertion of the Internal Beam Radiation Therapy probe. In the event of cancerous findings in the specimen with negative margins, a Radiation Therapy probe can be inserted into the cavity in order to radiate and treat all the surrounding walls of the cavity for total elimination of any cancerous cells in the region of interest. If the biopsy and radiation treatment is done on the same day, the insertion of the balloon may not be necessary. A use of portable PET imaging device may be helpful prior and/or after the biopsy in order to detect any suspicious lesions and/or finding any presence of cancerous tissue in the breast. All these steps can be performed within the same day eliminating weeks and sometimes months of treatment for the patients with cancerous or suspicious findings.
The present invention is described above in terms of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically described stereotactic mammography system, as well as alternative embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such a system can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.
This original, nonprovisional application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. application for provisional patent No. 60/823,059, filed Aug. 21, 2006, and which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60823059 | Aug 2006 | US |
