Intermediate density marker and a method using such a marker for radiographic examination

Claim 1

A method of mammography examination comprising the steps of: providing a source of xray radiation capable of generating radiation suitable for imaging breast tissue; selecting a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker having a radiographic density and thickness which permit the marker to both project a radiographic shadow and transmit sufficient radiation to image anatomical detail present in the breast tissue when the marker and the breast tissue are exposed to the xray radiation during mammographic examination, wherein the marker is constructed of aluminum having a thickness of about 0.011 to about 0.022 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker between the source of xray radiation and the breast tissue; and exposing the marker and the breast tissue to the xray radiation to generate a radiographic image of the breast tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker.

Claim 2

A method of mammography examination comprising the steps of: providing a source of xray radiation capable of generating radiation suitable for imaging breast tissue; selecting a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker having a radiographic density and thickness which permit the marker to both project a radiographic shadow and transmit sufficient radiation to image anatomical detail present in the breast tissue when the marker and the breast tissue are exposed to the xray radiation during mammographic examination, wherein the marker is constructed of aluminum having a thickness of about 0.011 to about 0.022 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker between the source of xray radiation and the breast tissue; and exposing the marker and the breast tissue to the xray radiation to generate a radiographic image of the breast tissue having the shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker.

Claim 4

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of rubber having a thickness of about 0.2 to about 0.4 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiogaphic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.

Claim 5

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of rubber having a thickness of about 0.2 to about 0.4 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiogaphic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.

Claim 9

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of plastic having a thickness of about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.

Claim 10

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of plastic having a thickness of about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.

Claim 14

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of vinyl having a thickness of about 0.75 to about 1 mm and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.

Claim 15

A method of mammographic examination comprising the steps of: selecting a radiographic marker having uniform density and thickens and capable of only partially attenuating xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination wherein the marker is constructed of vinyl having a thickness of about 0.75 to about 1 mm and wherein the marker absorbs from about 2% to about 75% of the incident radiation; positioning the marker on a patient's skin surface overlying an area of clinical interest; exposing the marker and the area of clinical interest to xray radiation having an energy suitable for performing mammographic examination, wherein anatomical detail present in the breast tissue is clearly visible through the radiographic shadow projected by the marker; and generating a radiographic image including the area of clinical interest having a radiographic shadow of the marker superimposed thereon, wherein the shadow of the marker does not obscure anatomical detail present in the area of clinical interest lying within the shadow.