Apparatus for imaging and treating a breast

1 . A system for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, including:

a) a table configured to receive the patient thereon, having an aperture formed therein configured to receive the breast of the patient pendent therethrough and positionable over a bath configured to contain a medium;

b) means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals in the bath;

c) a frame, disposable out of the bath, including means for securing the breast to the frame to substantially maintain a position and a shape of the breast out of the bath as in the bath.

2 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the frame is disposable in the bath and maintains the position and the shape of the breast both in and out of the bath.

3 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the frame is removably securable to an underside of the table.

4 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the means for securing includes:

a breast magnet securable to the breast; and

a frame magnet, secured to the frame, and engagable with the breast magnet.

5 . A system in accordance with claim 4 , further comprising:

a bath magnet, disposed in the bath, and engagable with the breast magnet when the breast is in the bath.

6 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the frame includes:

at least one post extending from the table; and

a cross member extending from the post.

7 . A system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the frame includes:

a ring, rotatably connected to the table, and supporting the at least one post extending therefrom.

8 . A system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the frame includes:

a frame magnet, coupled to the cross member.

9 . A system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the frame includes:

a laser indicator, coupled to the at least one post.

10 . A system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the cross member is movably coupled to the at least one post, and movable towards and away from the table; and further including a scale disposed on the at least one post.

11 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a navigation system linked to a three-dimensional image of the breast.

12 . A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the navigation system includes:

an infrared marker on a biopsy device, a marker placement device, a needle, a surgical instrument or a probe; and

a camera, capable of visually sensing the infrared markers.

13 . A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the navigation system includes:

transmitters or receivers on a biopsy device, a marker placement device, a needle, a surgical instrument or a probe.

14 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a biopsy device insertable into the breast to remove a tissue sample; and a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the biopsy device attached to the frame acting as a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the biopsy device; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the biopsy device.

15 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a marker placement device insertable into the breast and capable of inserting at least one marker; and a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the marker placement device attached to the frame acting as a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the marker placement device; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the marker placement device.

16 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a surgical instrument to remove the tumor; and a navigation system-linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the surgical instrument attached to the frame acting as a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the surgical instrument; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the surgical instrument.

17 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a needle to inject a drug into the tumor; and a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the needle attached to the frame acting as a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the needle; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the needle.

18 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a probe with a hot tip or a cold tip insertable into the tumor; and a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image including:

a) the probe attached to the frame acting as a stereotactic frame;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on the probe; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to the probe.

19 . A system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

an ultrasound emitter capable of producing ultrasound energy directable to a tumor in the breast.

20 . A system for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, including:

a) a bath configured to contain a medium;

b) transducer arrays, disposable in the bath, configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals;

c) a table, disposable over the bath, configured to receive the patient thereon, having an aperture formed in the table and positionable over the bath configured to receive the breast of the patient pendent therethrough;

d) a frame, disposable under and carryable by the table, the frame including:

i) at least one post extending from the table;

ii) a cross member extending from the post; and

iii) a frame magnet, coupled to the cross member, and engageable with a breast magnet securable to the breast.

21 . A system in accordance with claim 20 , wherein cross member is movably coupled to the at least one post, and movable towards and away from the table; and further including a scale disposed on the at least one post.

22 . A system for imaging and treating a breast of a patient, including:

a) a bath configured to contain a medium;

b) transducer arrays, disposable in the bath, configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to generate a three-dimensional image of at least a portion of the breast;

c) a table, disposable over the bath, configured to receive the patient thereon, having an aperture formed in the table and positionable over the bath configured to receive the breast of the patient pendent therethrough;

d) a frame, disposable under and carryable by the table;

e) means for securing the breast to the frame to substantially maintain a position and a shape of the breast out of the base as in the bath; and

f) a navigation system linked to the three-dimensional image of at least a portion of the breast.

23 . A system in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the navigation system includes:

a) a stereotactic frame secured to the breast;

b) a camera visually sensing an infrared marker on a biopsy device, a marker placing device, an ultrasound emitter, a needle, a probe or a surgical instrument; or

c) a transmitter and receiver system coupled to a biopsy device, a marker placing device, an ultrasound emitter, a needle, a probe or a surgical instrument.