METHOD FOR ASSISTING AN INVESTIGATION OF A HUMAN BREAST FOR A MALIGNANCY AND APPARATUS FOR PRACTICING SUCH METHOD

摘要

A method and apparatus as described facilitating the investigation of a human breast for a malignancy. The apparatus includes an optical assembly which includes a camera for acquiring information from a mammogram. This information is fed to a programmed computer which applied preselected criteria to identify suspicious masses and calcifications depicted by the mammogram. It further includes a graphics monitor for, among other things, displaying a reconstruction of the mammogram having the masses and the calcifications highlighted. The optical assembly also includes a zoom lens on the camera enabling one to obtain a magnified view on the monitor via the camera of a particular region it is desired to be investigated in more detail. The method of the invention includes optically analyzing a mammogram to acquire information defining characteristics of the breast desired to be analyzed, applying preselected criteria to such information, and thereafter displaying the results.