GB2335285A - Mammogram viewing reference system - Google Patents

Abstract

A mammography viewing reference system comprises a diffuser panel 1 surmounted with a matrix motif and a number of pillars 3 forming an X-ray film location jig, all affixed to an illuminator box body 2. Preferably, the assembly is supported on a number of feet 4 and retractable legs 5 allowing it to be operable in an inclined position. Although, a modified assembly may be vertically wall mounted. The fluorescent light source housed within the illuminator box body 2 is activated by means of an integral switch 6. The light shines through the diffuser panel 1, superimposing the matrix grid motif onto the X-ray film enabling the designation of a grid reference that corresponds with a discovered abnormality.

Description

2335285 1 MAMMOGRAPHY REFERENCE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a mammography reference system, for use within the medical field of mammography and radiology.

Presently, a significant proportion of error occurring within this particular field of medicine can be directly attributable to incorrect information being imparted along the various routes of communication employed. From the initial examination of a medical patient through to the operating theatre, numerous occasions for potential error arise in the transferring of information and data. This being largely due to misinterpretation of the medical terminology and parlance used to communicate the location of an abnormality.

The mammography reference system with a matrix grid referenced diffuser panel replete with X-ray film jig all mounted on a specially adapted mammography illuminator, has been invented to facilitate an accurate and succinct method of recording, highlighting and pin-pointing abnormalities found on a mammography X-ray film.

An object of this invention is to provide a contraption wherein is provided the facility to establish a succinct, unambiguous and accurate location of an abnormality found on a mammography X-ray film by means of designating the said abnormality with a g rid or coordinate reference, which in turn, can be communicated via the various parties andlor media involved. With universal adoption of the invention, it is the intention that elsewhere, the exact information pertaining to the location of an abnormality on the X-ray film can he retrieved by way of replicating the procedure on another copy of the invention. That is to say, another mammography reference system unit.

The member of the medical staff responsible for diagnosing X-ray film, usually a radiologist, views the mammography X-ray film on a standard mammography illuminator. Whereby, upon the discovery of an 2 abnormality, the mammography X-ray film is removed, then placed on a mammography reference system illuminator unit (the invention) for the purpose of grid referencing the exact location of the abnormality.

The grid reference is entered onto the medical patients' details form or onto the medical patients' database. The X-ray film and medical patients' details are stored together. Then should the abnormality require surgery, the X-ray film and medical patients' details are passed to the operating theatre where another mammography reference system illuminator unit is present. The surgeon places the X-ray film onto the mammography reference system illuminator and is provided with an instant accurate location of the abnormality. Should the medical staff require a second opinion from another establishment, then provided that the establishment has access to a mammography reference system illuminator, the personnel there too can obtain an instant accurate location of the abnormality.

According to the present invention there is provided a light emitting illuminator box that may he supported on several feet and several retractable legs, permitting the complete assembly to operate in an inclined position, fitted with a diffuser panel surmounted with a matrix grid system and an accompanying number of locating pillars to form a jig thereby enabling accurate and repetitive location of standard size X-ray film, thus when illuminated, the entire X-ray film is superimposed with the matrix grid, allowing alpha-numeric grid references or coordinates to be established as required.

Preferably the diffuser panel is made of plastics material, but it may instead be made from glass or other suitable material.

Preferably the illuminator box body is made of metal, but it may instead be made from plastics material or other suitable material, or from a combination of these materials.

3 Preferably the matrix grid reference motif etched, printed or surmounted on the diffuser panel is denoted by alpha-numeric identities, the matrix grid being divided equally at intervals of 1 centimetre along the X axis alphabetically and divided equally at similar intervals along the Y axis numerically, but it may instead be divided into any number of intervals being the same as, less than or greater than 1 centimetre and attributed with any accompanying reference identity, he it a number, a letter, a symbol, a character or a combination of these reference identities.

Preferably the invention is for use within the specific field of mammography, but it may instead be utilized in other fields of radiology and X-ray film interpretation.

Preferably the invention uses a fluorescent light source, but other alternative light sources may instead be used.

A further embodiment of the invention is the addition of a transparent panel suitably spaced and affixed over the diffuser panel so as to form an envelope to accept the X-ray film, thus allowing the whole assembly to be vertically or wall mounted.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the air tight sealing of the interface between illuminator box and diffuser panel by way of rubber, neoprene or other suitable material, for purposes of use, if so dictated, in operating theatres or designated gas areas.

Another embodiment of the invention is the transposition of the matrix grid reference system to a television screen, monitor, visual display unit or other similar visual aid.

4 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective, the diffuser panel affixed to the illuminator box with retractable legs extended.

Figure 2 illustrates in plan, the matrix grid reference motif and the locating pillars of the diffuser panel.

Figure 3 shows a side view elevation of the complete assembly with the retractable legs withdrawn.

Figure 4 shows a side view elevation of the complete assembly with the retractable legs extended.

Figure 5a shows in perspective, the complete assembly in readiness of Xray film location.

Figure 5b shows in perspective, the complete assembly with the X-ray film in situ.

1 As shown in Figure 1, the mammography reference system illuminator unit comprises a diffuser panel 1 affixed to the main illuminator box body 2. The diffuser panel 1 has been etched, printed or surmounted with the matrix or grid reference motif as illustrated in Figure 2. Also referring to Figure 2, an arrangement of locating pillars 3 (shown in plan view) form a locating jig set onto the diffuser panel 1.

The main illuminator box body 2, shown in Figure 1, contains, within it, various items of a type that may be found in an illuminator or light box, such as fluorescent light source, starter, fuses, switch start choke and electrical wiring system. The complete ensemble producing a source of fight of the required frequency (the aforementioned items have not been shown, as these items do not form the essence of the invention). The illuminator box body 2 is supported on a number of feet 4 and retractable legs 5. The power for the fluorescent light source, housed beneath the diffuser panel 1, will be activated by means of a switch 6 on the illuminator box body 2.

Figure 3 shows the complete assembly with the retractable legs 5 in the withdrawn position. The retractable legs 5 are then fully extended, as illustrated in Figure 4, so that the complete assembly adopts a prone position.

Referring to Figure 5a, the X-ray film 7 to be viewed is offered down onto the diffuser panel 1. The X-ray film 7 is abutted against all the locating pillars 3, as shown in Figure 5b, consequently is then deemed to be in the ready position.

In order to view the X-ray film 7 the fluorescent light source is activated by operating the switch 6 on the main illuminator box body 2. Once activated the light shines through both the diffuser panel 1 and the X-ray film 7. The matrix grid reference motif, as shown in Figure 2, is apparently superimposed on the X-ray film 7. Whereby any "abnormalities" appearing thereon can be designated with an 6 appropriate alpha-numeric coordinate or grid reference. The alpha-numeric coordinate(s) or grid reference(s) can be communicated to operating theatres or other establishments where the invention is being employed, whereby the above procedure can be repeated, resulting in accurate and consistent location of any "abnormality" present on the X-ray film 7.

A further embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings mentioned previously:The complete assembly, as shown in Figure 1, undergoes minor modifications.

One such modification relates to the locating pillars 3: Firstly, the existing locating pillars 3 are to be made considerably shorter in height, to perform the dual functions of location guide and spacing shirn. Secondly, additional locating pillars 3 (not shown), that have been similarly modified, are introduced along the Y axis at the perimeter of the matrix grid reference motif (see Figure 2 for grid reference motif), directly opposite the existing locating pillars 3.

Another such modification relates to the addition of a transparent panel (not shown), that is affixed to the modified locating pillars 3, overlaying the diffuser panel 1, forming an envelope capable of accepting the X-ray film 7.

The complete assembly is wall mounted (vertically). The modifications allow the X-ray film 7 to he loaded from the top of the complete assembly and fed vertically down into the envelope created between the transparent panel and the diffuser panel 1. The X-ray film 7 rests and locates on the locating pillars 3 along the X axis.

7 At this juncture, the X-ray film 7 can be considered as ready for viewing. The fluorescent light source is activated by operating the switch 6 on the illuminator box body 2.

Similarly to the example given for the preferred embodiment of the invention, once being activated, the fight shines through the diffuser panel 1, the X-ray film 7 and the additional transparent panel (not shown). The matrix grid reference motif, as shown in Figure 2, is apparently superimposed on the X-ray fibn 7. Whereby any "abnormalities" appearing thereon can be designated with an appropriate alpha-numeric coordinate or grid reference.

Another embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings mentioned previously:The complete assembly, as shown in Figure 1, undergoes minor modifications, taking full account of the electrical components therein, in order for it to appropriately function and operate in a combustible andlor flammable environment.

One such modification relates to the interface between the diffuser panel 1 and the illuminator box body 2, whereby a suitable material or compound is affixed thereto, establishing an air tight seal.

Another such modification relates to the appropriate air tight sealing, where necessary, of orifices and interfaces of the illuminator box body 2.

With the completed modifications, the operating functions and procedures of the whole assembly are the same as those explained in previous examples.

8

Claims (9)

1 A mammography reference system comprising a light emitting illuminator box that may be supported on several feet and several retractable legs permitting the complete assembly to operate in an inclined position fitted with a diffuser panel surmounted with a matrix grid system and an accompanying number of locating pillars to form a jig thereby enabling accurate and repetitive location of standard size X-ray fihn thus when illuminated the entire X-ray film is superimposed with the matrix grid allowing grid references or coordinates to be established as required.

2 A manunography reference system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein X-ray film location means and suitable fixing means are provided in order to vertically or wall mount the whole assembly.

3 A mammography reference system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sealing means is provided to all interfaces and orifices of the illuminator box body in order to render it air tight.

4 A manunography reference system as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein is provided a matrix of different proportions or scale andlor alternative means of identification thereon in order to record a point of reference.

A mammography reference system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein is provided the means for transposing the matrix and the associated information contained thereon to a televisual medium.

6 A mammography reference system as claimed m any preceding claim, whereby the whole assembly is utilized in other fields of radiology and X- ray interpretation.

1 9 CLAIMS

7 A mammography reference system as claimed in any precedi g claim, wherein the diffuser panel is made from plastics material, or from glass, or from other suitable material, or from a combination of these materials.

8 A mammography reference system as claimed in any precedi claim, wherein the illuminator box body and its ancillary components are made from metal, or from plastics material, or from wood, or from other suitable material, or from a combination of these materials.

9 A mammography reference system as claimed in any preced g claim, wherein there is used a fluorescent light source, or another suitably appropriate source of illumination or luminance.

A mammography reference system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 5b of the accompanying drawings.