Medical Compression Device

Abstract

A device is provided that aids in the medical compression process. One example of such a device is a medical compression device that can be added to medical machinery, such as the Hologic® Multicare Prone Biopsy table or a Hologic® upright biopsy table/system. The device can be configured to be placed into and partially through an “operating window” of a compression paddle component used in the biopsy table. The device advantageously does not require modification of the biopsy table or modification of the compression paddle/guide for use.

1 . A breast-compression device used in a medical procedure, the breast-compression device comprising:
 a front surface portion adapted to abut a breast of a patient, directly or indirectly, and cause the breast to compress;   a base portion supporting the front surface; and   one or more latches adapted to releasably attach at least the base portion to a paddle, the one or more latches being located proximate a back side of the base portion for releasably attaching the breast-compression device to the paddle.   
     
     
         2 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is inserted into a window in the paddle and secured to the paddle by positioning the one or more latches such that at least one of the one or more latches overlaps both the window and a part of the paddle. 
     
     
         3 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front surface portion has a contoured surface. 
     
     
         4 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front surface portion is a substantially flat portion. 
     
     
         5 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an interchangeable portion that is configured to connect to the front surface portion. 
     
     
         6 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first connection device configured to connect to the front surface portion; and   a second connection device configured to connect to the interchangeable portion,   wherein the interchangeable portion connects to the front surface portion by connecting the first connection device to the second connection device.   
     
     
         7 . The breast-compression device according to  claim 5 , wherein the interchangeable portion is a modified half-sphere shaped portion. 
     
     
         8 . A sterile covering configured to be affixed to the breast-compression device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A device used in a medical procedure, comprising:
 a front surface portion;   a base portion; and   a connection portion configured to connect to a back surface portion of the base portion, the connection portion securing the device to a paddle.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the connection portion further comprises:
 a grooved portion; and   a mounting portion, the grooved portion located between the mounting portion and a point at which the connection portion connects to the back surface portion of the base portion.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the device is inserted into a window in the paddle and secured to the paddle by affixing the grooved portion so that at least a portion of the mounting portion overlaps both the window and a part of the paddle. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the front surface portion has a contoured surface. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the front surface portion is a substantially flat portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 9 , further comprising an interchangeable portion that is configured to connect to the front surface portion. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a first connection device configured to connect to the front surface portion; and   a second connection device configured to connect to the interchangeable portion,   wherein the interchangeable portion connects to the front surface portion by connecting the first connection device to the second connection device.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the interchangeable portion is a half-sphere shaped portion. 
     
     
         17 . A medical system, comprising:
 a controller having one or more processors;   a paddle having an operating window;   a compression plate;   a paddle moving unit configured to move the paddle away/towards the compression plate;   a breast-compression device for use in a medical procedure, the breast-compression device configured to connect to the paddle by inserting the breast-compression device through the operating window of the paddle; and   a sterile covering configured to be affixed to the breast-compression device.   
     
     
         18 . The medical system of  claim 17 , wherein the compression device comprises:
 a front surface portion;   a base portion; and   one or more latches configured to connect to a back surface portion of the base portion, the one or more latches securing the compression device to the paddle.   
     
     
         19 . The medical system of  claim 17 , wherein the compression device comprises:
 a front surface portion;   a base portion; and   a connection portion configured to connect to a back surface portion of the base portion, the connection portion securing the compression device to the paddle.   
     
     
         20 . The medical system of  claim 19 , wherein the connection portion further comprises:
 a grooved portion; and   a mounting portion, the grooved portion located between the mounting portion and a point at which the connection portion connects to the back surface portion of the base portion.