Breast securement devices and methods of securing breasts for imaging
A breast securement device for an imaging system is provided. The securement device includes a retainer configured to attach to at least a portion of a patient's breast and a tensioning system coupled to the retainer. The tensioning system is configured to pull the retainer away from a chest wall of the patient so as to apply a pulling force to the patient's breast. The retainer may include a substantially tubular-shaped mesh material having a first end configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's breast and an opposite second end coupled to the tensioning system. In another example, the retainer may include a vacuum bag having a first end configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's breast. In still another example, the retainer may include an adhesive member configured to adhere to the patient's breast.
1. A breast securement device for an imaging system, the securement device comprising:
a retainer configured to attach to at least a portion of a patient's breast, wherein the retainer comprises a bra comprising an adhesive member configured to adhere to the patient's breast; and
a tensioning system removably coupled to the retainer, wherein the tensioning system is configured to pull the retainer away from a chest wall of a patient so as to apply a pulling force to the patient's breast.
2. The breast securement device of claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises one or more markers.
3. The breast securement device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more markers are radiolucent.
4. The breast securement device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more markers are radio-opaque.
5. The breast securement device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more markers correspond to a region of interest.
6. The breast securement device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more markers comprise a grid pattern.
7. The breast securement device of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive member comprises a plurality of adhesive members.
8. The breast securement device of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of adhesive members is positioned on a top of the patient's breast and at least one of the plurality of adhesive members is positioned on a bottom of the patient's breast.
9. The breast securement device of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive member comprises a foam or a pad.
10. The breast securement device of claim 9 , wherein the foam or the pad is configured to shape at least a portion of the patient's breast.
11. The breast securement device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is an x-ray imaging system and the tensioning system is coupled to a support arm.
12. A method of securing a patient's breast for imaging, the method comprising:
attaching a retainer to at least a portion of the patient's breast, wherein the retainer includes a bra attached to a patient including an adhesive member adhered to the patient's breast; and
pulling the retainer away from a chest wall of the patient.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising positioning the patient's breast on an imaging system based at least in part by a location of one or more markers disposed on the retainer relative to the imaging system.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising coupling the retainer to a tensioning system.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive member is positioned on a top and a bottom of the patient's breast.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein pulling the retainer stabilizes the patient's beast relative to an imaging system.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive member includes a foam or a pad, and wherein the foam or the pad shapes at least a portion of the patient's breast.