The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 22, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1996
Peter Andrew Crosby, Greenwood Village, CO (US);
Ascher Shmulewitz, Mercer Island, WA (US);
United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for compressing biological tissue for use with a radiographic or sonographic imaging system that enhances imaging of the tissue near a patient's chest wall. The apparatus includes a compression assembly having first and second compression surfaces, and structure for positioning the first compression surface relative to the second compression surface so that the first and second compression surfaces experience a lateral translation as they move towards one another. In addition the first and second compression surfaces may be tilted slightly relative to a plane orthogonal to the patient's chest wall to enhance the traction effect and to provide partial imaging within the patient's chest wall.