Mammography vendor Planmed has introduced the MaxView Breast Positioning System, a breast compression system designed to image nearly a third more breast tissue than conventional mammography compression systems.
Imaging of the chest wall is often difficult with conventional compression systems, according to Planmed, which developed MaxView in collaboration with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The product's design enables imaging of as much as 2 cm -- or 30% more -- breast tissue, greatly improving the ability to find a chest wall abnormality, according to the firm.
The system uses two disposable, radiolucent, nonattenuating polyester sheets between the compression mechanism, the patient's breast, and the film holder. Activated by a foot control, the product applies a small amount of compression after the technologist positions the breast in the unit, Planmed said. The device then slowly draws the sheets along with the breast into the imaging field, and final compression is applied before the exposure, resulting in the increased exposure area.
The MaxView system also improves positioning of difficult patients, resulting in fewer retakes and potentially lowering radiation dose, according to Addison, IL-based MaxView, a division of Planmed Oy of Helsinki, Finland.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
September 24, 2001
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