Soft tissue orientation and imaging guide systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for the orientation of soft tissue such as breast tissue for enhanced accuracy of imaging and/or procedures such as a biopsy or excision are disclosed. The system for orientating and maintaining the orientation of soft tissue generally includes a frame (52) defining an opening, the frame being configured to orient and immobilize an area of soft tissue positioned on one side of the opening, an attachment mechanism to secure the frame to an attachment region defined by the area of soft tissue or by a skin surface overlying the area of soft tissue, to facilitate orienting and immobilizing the area of soft tissue, and imaging device (54) to image the area of soft tissue. The opening may allow a probe (56) of the imaging device or imaging energy transmitted by the imaging device to be movable therein for image scanning of the soft tissue.