Breast compression paddle having an inflatable jacket

1. A breast compression paddle for use in an imaging system, the breast compression paddle comprising:

a compression surface; and

a jacket comprising at least one inflatable chamber disposed adjacent to the compression surface and a sheet covering at least a portion of the compression surface, wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is configured to selectively inflate and induce the sheet to slide along the compression surface.

2. The breast compression paddle of claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises at least one cushioning chamber covering at least a portion of the compression surface.

3. The breast compression paddle of claim 2 , wherein the at least one cushioning chamber is configured to selectively inflate.

4. The breast compression paddle of claim 2 , wherein the at least one cushioning chamber is configured to inflate to a pressure that is lower than a pressure of the at least one inflatable chamber.

5. The breast compression paddle of claim 2 , wherein the inflation pressure of the at least one inflatable chamber and the inflation pressure of the at least one cushioning chamber are independently controlled.

6. The breast compression paddle of claim 2 , wherein the at least one cushioning chamber comprises a plurality of chambers.

7. The breast compression paddle of claim 2 , wherein the breast compression paddle further comprises a bracket or integral feature having a recess defined adjacent to the compression surface, wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is disposed proximate the bracket or integral feature and is configured to selectively inflate at least partially into the recess.

8. The breast compression paddle of claim 1 , wherein the sheet is configured to slide along the compression surface substantially simultaneously with the at least one inflatable chamber selectively inflating.

9. The breast compression paddle of claim 1 , further comprising a top surface opposite the compression surface, wherein the jacket substantially surrounds the top surface and the compression surface.

10. The breast compression paddle of claim 9 , further comprising a bracket or integral feature, and wherein the jacket further comprises a first edge coupled to the bracket or integral feature adjacent the top surface.

11. An imaging system comprising:

an imaging source;

an imaging receptor defining an imaging area; and

a breast compression unit comprising:

a breast compression paddle comprising a first compression surface;

a platform comprising a second compression surface, wherein the breast compression paddle is configured to move in relation to the platform to compress a patient's breast between the first compression surface and the second compression surface; and

a paddle jacket disposed on the breast compression paddle such that the first compression surface is at least partially covered, the paddle jacket comprising at least one inflatable chamber and a sheet, wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is configured to selectively inflate and induce the sheet to slide along the first compression surface.

12. The imaging system of claim 11 , further comprising a platform jacket disposed on the platform such that the second compression surface is at least partially covered, the platform jacket comprising at least one inflatable chamber and a sheet, wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is configured to selectively inflate and induce the sheet to slide along the second compression surface.

13. The imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the paddle jacket is independently inflatable from the platform jacket.

14. The imaging system of claim 11 , further comprising a fluid source configured to deliver a flow of fluid to the paddle jacket for the selective inflation of the at least one inflatable chamber.

15. The imaging system of claim 11 , wherein the paddle jacket is removably disposed on the breast compression paddle.

16. The imaging system of claim 11 , wherein the breast compression paddle is removable from the breast compression unit.

17. A method of compressing a breast in an imaging system including a jacket having at least one inflatable chamber and a sheet, the method comprising:

compressing a breast between a compression paddle and a platform; and

selectively inflating the at least one inflatable chamber of the jacket disposed on the breast compression paddle such that the sheet slides along a compression surface and pulls at least some breast tissue away from a patient's chest wall and into an imaging area.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the sheet includes at least one cushioning chamber disposed below the compression surface, the method further comprising after the breast is compressed between the compression paddle and the platform selectively inflating the at least one cushioning chamber.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is selectively inflated to a different pressure than a pressure of the at least one cushioning chamber.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

removably attaching the jacket on the breast compression paddle; and

coupling in fluid communication the jacket to a fluid source.