| abstract |
Ultrasonic examination for carcinoma of the breast is accomplished rapidly and reliably by the method and apparatus disclosed herein. The apparatus is comprised of a compartment in which water is drawn upward, by suction, over the breast being examined, and in which an ultrasonic transducer revolves around the breast to obtain complete 360° scans. The patient can be seated in a comfortable position during the examination, and the total time required for examination in an asymptomatic case is estimated to be less than five minutes. The suction holds the breast in place, and there is no need for a membrane to cover the breast, thus improving the accuracy of the test. Various cross-sectional images of the breast may be generated by a conventional two-dimensional B-mode scanning technique. |