Patent US 4,948,974

A source of high resolution non-ionizing radiation of narrow spectral bandwidth is used in conjuction with optical detectors positioned on one or more sides of a breast to obtain mammographic images. Reflected and transmitted images may be obtained to determine the position of objects within the breast and their nature. The magnitude of multiple scattered coaxial radiation may also be determined. Focused light can be use to acquire tomographic image slices of the breast in reflection and transmission imaging modes.