X-ray mammography and/or breast tomosynthesis using a compression paddle with an inflatable jacket enhancing imaging and improving patient comfort

1. A method of imaging a breast with x-rays emitted from an imaging system comprising:

supporting the breast on a breast platform of the imaging system and proximate an inflatable element comprising a first flexible side and an opposite second flexible side;

compressing the breast with a compression paddle secured to the imaging system, wherein the second flexible side is adhered to the breast, and the first flexible side is secured to the compression paddle via a clipping member that clips over a side wall of the compression paddle, the clipping member being outside of a field of view of the imaging system;

detecting, with the imaging system, a position of the compression paddle relative to at least one of the breast and the breast support platform;

based on the detection of the position, automatically adjusting a degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast to define a compression force for immobilizing the breast;

imaging the immobilized breast with x-rays emitted from the imaging system; and

generating, with the imaging system, x-ray images of the breast.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises increasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising re-positioning the breast after the detection of the position of the compression paddle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises decreasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises controlling a fluid control unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises sending a control signal to a fluid control unit.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast comprises receiving a control signal at a fluid control unit.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein compressing the breast with the compression paddle comprises compressing the breast with the inflatable element.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the inflatable element to a pressure control unit.

10. A method of imaging a breast with x-rays emitted from an imaging system comprising:

supporting the breast on a breast platform of the imaging system;

compressing the breast with an inflatable element secured to a compression paddle of the imaging system, wherein the inflatable element comprises a first flexible side and an opposite second flexible side in adhered contact with the breast, the first flexible side being secured to the compression paddle via a clipping member that clips over a side wall of the compression paddle, the clipping member being outside of a field of view of the imaging system;

automatically inflating the inflatable element against the breast to a first internal pressure by activating a fluid control unit coupled to the inflatable element, wherein the first internal pressure of the inflatable element exerts a compressive pressure against the breast;

detecting, by the imaging system, when the exerted pressure reaches a specified compressive pressure;

automatically adjusting a degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast by activating the fluid control unit, based at least in part on the detected compressive pressure to define a compression force for immobilizing the breast;

imaging the immobilized breast with x-rays emitted from the imaging system; and

generating, with the imaging system, x-ray images of the breast.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising adjusting a position of the compression paddle relative to the breast.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises increasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein automatically adjusting the degree of inflation comprises decreasing an internal pressure of the inflatable element.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

sending a pressure adjustment signal to the imaging system based at least in part on the detected compressive pressure; and

after sending the pressure adjustment signal, automatically adjusting the degree of inflation of the inflatable element against the breast based at least in part on the pressure adjustment signal.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pressure adjustment signal is sent from a workstation remote from the imaging system.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a friction-enhancing surface configured to enhance friction with the breast.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a sticky surface therein, the sticky surface being configured to adhere to the breast.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a friction-enhancing surface configured to enhance friction with the breast.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the opposite second flexible side comprises a sticky surface therein, the sticky surface being configured to adhere to the breast.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clipping member comprises an extension that extends over a thickness of the side wall of the compression paddle.

21. The method of claim 10 , wherein the clipping member comprises an extension that extends over a thickness of the side wall of the compression paddle.