Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-08-14
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
C128S890000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273090
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a device to assist in the reading of an illuminated image such as an X-ray film or CRT image of breast tissue, commonly called a mammogram. The present invention more particularly relates to such a device including an adjustably positionable blocking member for blocking for at least a substantial portion of light that passes through the illuminated image to thereby render portions of the image easier to read.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of radiology, various devices have been proposed for imaging portions of the human body. For example, magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray devices have been in common use for many years. Specialized mammography X-ray devices have been developed for providing images of breast tissue. Mammography X-ray devices are particularly useful in detecting presence of tumors, microcalcifications, and other abnormalities at an early stage when potentially not yet detectable by touch.
Imaging devices provide output images in various formats, for example via a CRT or printer, or on film. X-ray devices typically provide output in the form of a film that blackens when exposed to X-rays and then developed. Areas of the film exposed to a greater amount of X-ray radiation are blackened more than areas that are exposed to a lesser amount. Different body tissues, bones, etc. block X-ray radiation to differing degrees, and it is the contrast in transmitted radiation impacting the film that provides an image of the exposed body parts.
Exposed X-ray film is typically viewed on an illuminated X-ray viewer that holds the film on a backlit, clear or white surface. Often, the film is mostly black or dark gray, with images appearing in white or light gray. Physicians and mammographers must examine the film very closely to determine whether any small abnormalities such as those mentioned above are present. Very close study of breast X-ray film images is critical, as chances for successful treatment can depend on early detection of tiny abnormalities and corresponding early treatment before the abnormalities grow, multiply, or metastasize. Thus, physicians and mammographers on the lookout for very small features potentially captured by the film often view the brightly illuminated images very closely (within inches of their eyes) or under magnification, or sometimes both. Also, analog or digital images could be displayed on a display element such as a CRT device, rather than on X-ray film. In such situations, a close reading of features in an illuminated image is also required.
The presence of breast implants, whether utilized for reconstructive purposes after surgery such as mastectomy or electively implanted for cosmetic purposes absent such previous surgery, can render reading X-ray images more difficult. For example, breast implants typically block much more radiation than breast tissue. Thus, breast implant images appear almost entirely white or clear on an X-ray viewing device.
Because of the backlighting required to read the X-ray image, and because the studied portion of the image is generally the brighter (whiter) portion of the image, it can be difficult to differentiate between certain features within the X-ray image. Also, viewing such well-lit images may lead to irritation or discomfort simply from having to look closely at illuminated images for an extended period of time.
In situations where implants are present in the images, the bright light passed through the film or displayed on a CRT by the implant portion can render the image even more difficult to properly examine due to the contrast between the bright implant image portions and the typically darker tissue image portions. Also, it can be more difficult to detect abnormalities disposed in tissue adjacent the edges of the implant due to the brightness of the implant image.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device to assist in the reading of an illuminated image, such as an X-ray film or CRT image of breast tissue, that is simple and effective to use and is inexpensive to produce.
Another object is to provide an advantageous related method of reading such an illuminated image.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a device to assist in the reading of an illuminated image of breast tissue is disclosed, the device comprising a blocking member including a plurality of blocking portions pivotally mounted together at a common pivot point so as to be pivotable between a storage position and a use position. Each blocking portion has a distal end, the distal ends of the blocking portions defining a curved edge of the blocking member when the blocking portions are disposed in the use position. The blocking member is at least partially opaque for placement over a portion of the illuminated image to block at least a substantial portion of the illumination light. The curved edge is sized so as to approximate the size and shape of a portion of the illuminated image of the breast tissue.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of the curved edge preferably defines a radius of between about 1 and about 4 inches, and more preferably a radius of between about 2 and about 3 inches. In another embodiment, the curved edge preferably defines a changing radius along the curved edge that ranges from between at least about 1 to at most about 4 inches.
Also, the blocking member preferably includes between 3 and 12 of the blocking portions, and more preferably includes about 8 of the blocking portions.
Optionally, the device may include a gripping member, and the blocking portions may be mounted to the gripping member. The blocking portions may be disposed at least partially within the gripping member for storage.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device to assist in the reading of an illuminated image is disclosed, the device comprising a gripping member and a blocking member including a plurality of blocking portions pivotally attached to the gripping member at a common pivot point so as to be pivotable between a storage position and a use position. Each blocking portion has a distal end, the distal ends of the blocking portions defining a curved edge of the blocking member when the blocking portions are disposed in the use position. The blocking member is at least partially opaque for placement over a portion of the illuminated image to block at least a substantial portion of the illumination light. The curved edge defines a changing radius along the curved edge that ranges from between at least about 1 to at most about 4 inches.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method of reading an illuminated image of breast tissue is disclosed, the method comprising illuminating an image of breast tissue, and pivoting a plurality of blocking portions of a blocking member into a use position. The blocking portions are pivotally mounted together at a common pivot point so as to be pivotable between a storage position and the use position. Each blocking portion has a distal end, and the distal ends of the blocking portions define a curved edge of the blocking member when the blocking portions are in the use position. The curved edge is sized so as to approximate the size and shape of a portion of the illuminated image. The method further includes placing the blocking member on a portion of the illuminated image to block at least a substantial portion of the illumination light, and reading the illuminated image.
Other objects and aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, claims, and figures, or may be apparent to one skilled in the art based on these disclosures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4524405 (1985-06-01), Heard
patent: 4546757 (1985-10-01), Jakahi
Brown Michael A.
Dority & Manning P.A.
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