DE1911231A1 - Ultrasound mammograph - Google Patents

Description

Ultrasound mamrograph

The invention relates to an ultrasound mammograph, d. H. a device for ultrasound imaging of the female Brood.

Many examination procedures using ultrasound techniques are in use. Ultrasonic imaging using pulse echo techniques in two-dimensional imaging of any of the Subject matter inspection is one of the well-known techniques. The time delay and the intensity of the reflection from Successive pulses of ultrasonic energy that are scanned across an object are assembled to form the internal structure record the nature of the object. This technique is more detailed otherwise described, e.g. B. by Carlin "Physical Acoustics", Volume I, Part B, page 52, edited by Mason (1964).

Direct ⁵ ultrasonic imaging in two dimensions ^ has also been applied to materials testing. A beam of ultrasonic energy is transmitted through an object being examined and then to an area detector which is illuminated with light to provide an image of the object's transparency to ultrasound. If there is any internal defect in the object, its image is projected onto the area detector and thus made visible in two dimensions.

. 000807/0308

If an ultrasonic lens is arranged between the object and the area detector in order to image the ultrasonic field passing through the object on the detector. get a better picture of the bug. An example of this technique is described by Hueter and Bolt in "Sonics", p.353, published by Wiley, 1955.. . ,,. ' Ζ, "'

For certain item inspections it is desirable to have the To be able to inspect the internal structure of an object as seen in three dimensions by ultrasound passing through it will. This result is achieved as a result of recent improvements in the techniques of ultrasound imaging derived from the phenomenon make use of wavefront reconstruction or holography.

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In a preferred form of ultrasonic holography a / hologram contained standing wave pattern is at a Fläehendetektor in a fluid medium _f generated by the interference that occurs between two ultrasonic beams or beams, each of said. The bundle has essentially the same ultrasonic frequency and is directed onto the area detector at a limited angle between the two bundles. One of the ultrasound beams is passed through the object being examined and its wavefront therefore contains information of the object and any internal defects or damage in the same. This information is transferred to the standing wave pattern in that the second ultrasound beam (reference beam) is made to interfere with the object beam, somewhat analogous to the interference in light hiography. The standing wave pattern (ultrasonic hologram) can then reflect light in various diffracted orders, and an image, either actual or conjugate ^ of the original object, by arranging suitable viewing optics that is focused on the desired image, in one of the first two Ordinarily diffracted rays are considered.

The principles of ultrasound holography are described in the currently pending application P 15 72 579.8, (our file. PA _r K21j5 (HI)), and claimed ^1. An improved method of ultrasonic holography, in which the objects can be viewed in different colors according to the differences in the density of the object, is described in the further pending application P 15 72 678.02, (our file DA-K217 (H ~ 2)} and claimed. ^ ^; "· '■ · ■■ -: -.- ■ ■. _ 3""90388 ^ / 0308

In addition, certain details that are also relevant to the present invention are more detailed in application P19 11 234.6 "Ultrasound imaging methods for examining the female breast or the like", which is also filed at the same time, (our file DA-K438 (H-35)) and in the applications that are still to be submitted and that have been deleted from the present application.

Objects, objects and features of the invention are: improvement the apparatus for ultrasound examinations of a female breast, either through two-dimensional, direct images or three-dimensional holographic images and the adaptation of ultrasound imaging equipment for the examination of a female breast for cancerous growths in the same.

The inventive two-dimensional ultrasound mammograph comprises a device for holding a breast of a living person without movement and in a flattened position away from the body for the purpose of placement in the path of a bundle of ultrasound objects, means for imaging the ultrasound field passing through the breast on a surface detector using an ultrasound Lens, which allows a two-dimensional optical image of an internal structure of the breast to be viewed.

The methods and apparatus that can be used in connection with the mammograph according to the invention for examining the tissue of a living body, in particular a female breast, and for other * purposes and generally applicable methods and apparatus, form the subject of application P19 11 234.6, which was filed at the same time as the present application " Ultrasound imaging method sur examination of the female breast or the like. " (our file DA-K438 (H-35)) and in registrations that have been removed from the present application.

Other objects, objects, features and details of the invention and a better understanding of the same result from the following description of preferred embodiments in connection with FIG the enclosed drawings

900887/0308

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Brief descriptions of the drawings

1 illustrates a mammograph for use with

direct ultrasound imaging techniques;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of that in FIG. 1 used breast holder;

Fig. 3 illustrates an ultrasonic mainmograph sur Use of holographic imaging;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3, partly in section along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is an end sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3 additionally schematically illustrating an optical system for viewing a three-dimensional image?

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred patient support plate experienced in the ultrasonic holographic © - ¥ Figures 1 and 2 can be used;

7 is a perspective view of a breast holder; its use with the ultrasound mammography procedure of the Fig. 1 and 3 is preferred ».

Figures 8 and 9 show a preferred construction of an improved ultrasonic lens useful with the mammograph of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 shows a device for controlling of liquid in the ultrasonic lens of the

9098 8 7/0308 BAD

In the broadest sense, the sound frequencies used for "ultrasonic imaging" are not limited to any particular range limited but encompass the full spectrum of compression wave energy. For more practical training of that technique resulted it turns out, however, that the higher sound frequencies (i.e. the borrowed above the audible range) are much more desirable than the lower sound frequencies. For this reason, instead of the general expression "compression or pressure wave energy" the term "ultrasonic energy" will be used in the following description. However, this is in no way intended to extend the scope of the Limit the invention.

Furthermore, in this description the medium in which such ultrasonic energy propagates is referred to as liquid as materials are preferred in this class. However, even this should not limit the scope of the invention, as any ultrasonic transmitting media may be used that best serve the purpose of the particular training have physical properties.

Viewing ultrasonic wavefronts or fields passing through objects has previously been used to to study the properties of such objects and determine the presence of defects or damage. For applications where the imaging of the internal structure of objects is achieved by visualizing ultrasonic fields, is the technique of that similar to X-ray technology, although the physical effects of ultrasound on the object are different Exposure to X-rays are very different.

The basics of ultrasound imaging in general, and of holographic ultrasound imaging in particular, and of certain details which can be used generally and also for the invention are illustrated and described in detail in the applications that have been dropped from the present application.

~ 6 909387/0308

Only the details of those registrations are also included here shown and described, which are directly related to the mammograph according to the invention.

Holographic imaging preferably uses a flat end et tor, one of the interference of two ultrasonic 'bundles of energy The resulting standing wave is detected in order to diffract the light incident on it into different diffracted orders. This must be distinguished from the direct imaging system, where an area detector is used to directly visualize a Display of the progressive, incident ultrasonic field. For a holographic system, there will be a liquid interface is preferred for creating a standing wave pattern and has been found to give the best results are made by using an isolation tank as described below and as described in the copending application P 15 72 579.8 and the one submitted at the same time Application "Method and device for generating ultrasonic holograms", our file DA-K429 (H-28) is indicated. A liquid interface isolation tank is cheap for a large detection area and allows both viewing of an image in real or Real time and the production of a permanent hologram a foltographic film. .

It should be noted that the term "viewing ^{optics M} " as used throughout this specification refers to the entire optical system used to control light after it has been diffracted by the hologram. This system may include a lens, a An eyepiece and an eye; alternatively, a photographic camera, a television camera, or other optical devices may be used.

To summarize it again briefly: The invention resides in an improved apparatus using of ultrasound to image the internal structure of a female Chest to recognize a plant in it, such as B. abnormal cancerous tissue, through the use of either two-dimensional direct imaging or three-dimensional holographic imaging.

909887/0308

BAD ORIi

Breast examination was generally performed using x-ray techniques, the certain restrictions because of a possible health hazard and because the resulting image of the breast shows only a change in density, which is a limited amount of information supplies. Pulse echoultrasound techniques have been used to image the female breast, as mentioned above, but this has certain limitations since it is not possible to view the entire breast in real time in one image.

When using the mammograph according to the invention, it is continuous Ultrasound energy covers the entire breast and results in a. Optical image of the ultrasound field passing through the breast. This picture shows more than just density variations of the breast; it also shows differences in molecular binding. This apparatus permits the discovery of cancer or other abnormal internal growths in earlier stages than is possible with other means “Although three-dimensional holographic imaging of the physical If breast is preferred, the invention can advantageously be practiced with two-dimensional direct imaging.

The method of imaging a female breast or the like as well as other objects and generally applicable processes form the objects of the aforementioned, At the same time, application P 19 11 234.6 "Ultrasound imaging method for examining the female Breast or the like "(our file DA-K438 (H-35)) and the divisional applications that have been deleted from the present application.

Since ultrasound is very in a gas, such as air, attenuated, and is further very reflected when it passes from air into a fixed object, the chest is best should by immersing it shown in an ultra \ .allübertragendes liquid medium high ¹ effectiveness Bas medium be compatible with the female breast so that not more than a small portion of the energy is reflected when the ultrasound passes from the liquid medium into the breast and back into the liquid medium. It has been found that water is quite satisfactory, naturally available in large quantities, and is also comfortable for the patient *

90 9887/0308

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In order to avoid that more of the patient than the examination subject breast is immersed in the water, it was found to be preferable to put the woman in a horizontal position to bring the breast subject to examination down through a surface of the water and that Ultrasonic energy bundle essentially parallel to the water surface to send through the chest

, Fig. 1 illustrates preferred apparatus suitable for this purpose. A tank 200 contains ultrasonic transmitting water 202 and a Woman 204 is held in a lying position above the tank by an airfoil 206. A breast to be examined 207 is in the water 202 through an opening in the wing 206 held. A quartz transducer 208 held in housing 210 is a preferred source of a generally planar ultrasound beam 212 sent to the chest / through the water 202. The ultrasonic wave front passing through the chest is transmitted through an ultrasonic lens 230 imaged on an ultrasonic detector, as on the area detector 214, which is of a type, such as a Pohlmanzelle, is shown. A light source 216 illuminates the viewer side of the area detector 214, thereby taking place Reproduction in the optical range of the ultrasonic wave front that has passed through the chest 207. It has to be understood that the area detector 214 is any of the known devices can be to convert ultrasonic wavefront variations into the optical domain, such as that described above Ultrasound camera.

A primary consideration of the configuration illustrated in FIG is it. To provide space for the transducer housing 210 below a surface 218 of a container filled with water ^ 200, which then allows the bundle of ultrasound energy to be very close to send to the surface 218 and so much of the brast

oo to depict without more of the woman being immersed in the water su ^ will need. To allow as much of the breast as possible It is essential to bring 207 into liquid 202 ο 206 inclined towards the chest opening from both sides «, oo

It has been discovered that the best mapping "is achieved". when the chest 207 is down from the patient's chest cavity

held away so that as much as possible of the chest is in the Path of the ultrasonic beam 212 is located. It is also desirable to flatten the chest to reduce its maximum thickness and to keep them immobile during the examination. It has been found that this can be achieved satisfactorily by a breast holder comprising two support surfaces 220 and 222, which serve to hold the chest 207 under gentle pressure during the examination. As can be seen better from FIG The plates 220 and 222 each carry thin films 224 and 226 that are essentially transparent or permeable to the particular used ultrasonic wave. These sheets 224 and 226 are made preferably made of suitable polymer film and should be stretched to keep them under tension. The frame 222 is' rigid to that patient support member 206 and frame 220 attached to a separate panel 228; Plate 228 slides in Relation to the other components kept so that it can be adjusted for each individual patient. The plates 220 and 222 extend preferably at an angle with the support element, to compress the chest more in the part closer to the chest cavity than in the remaining parts of the chest, and to keep them as far away from the chest cavity as possible. However, this angle should not be so great that it causes the chest to assume a substantially unequal thickness across the ultrasonic beam 212 and found to be about an angle 10 ° to the perpendicular on the support element 206 is preferable, as shown in FIG.

A preferred range of frequencies for the ultrasonic energy beam 212 was determined between 1 and 10 megahertz (MHz). Below 1 MHz there was poor resolution and above 10 MHz it is a breast not see-through to ultrasound energy. An operating frequency of 3 MHz was found to be preferred for breast exams determined. The transducer 208 is preferably an X-cut quartz crystal with a 1 MHz base frequency that is 3 MHz is operated by a power supply at that frequency using well known techniques. The power delivery device could be arranged in the examination device next to the tank 200 in an area 230 of FIG. 1.

_ _ 909887/0308

The inventive, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 described Apparatus allows a breast to be examined in real time. This has the advantage that the breast is properly positioned and flattened and that other parts of the apparatus, such as the ultrasonic lens 213, can be adjusted to obtain a good image which is valuable for medical diagnosis.

The preferred technique of ultrasound breast imaging uses wavefront reconstruction equipment and techniques the holography, as described above. Apparatus for performing the holographic technique is shown in the scheme » Table shape particularly in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 illustrated. Since these figures are different views of the same apparatus, were like reference numerals are used for all views.

An article bundle quartz transducer carried by a holder 234 232 generates a bundle of objects 236 of ultrasonic energy that is passed through a beam disposed between breast retainer plates 240 and 242 Breast 238 passes through. The wavefront leaving the chest is detected by an ultrasonic lens 244 on an insulating tank 246, which is the area detector, shown. Bine thin for the ultra » sound energy transparent membrane 248, which preferably consists of a Polymer film separates the water 250 from the tank of the water 252, but allows ultrasonic energy to move between them without significant attenuation. An ultrasound bundle of the used Frequency with no significant attenuation of reflecting mirrors 254 is arranged to have horizontally moving ultrasonic object bundles 256 aimed at the horizontally arranged insulating tank 246. A 12.7 mm thick sheet of glass became satisfactory found for the mirror 254.

A reference beam 258 of ultrasonic energy having an essentially The frequency equal to the frequency of the bundle of objects 236 is generated by a quartz transducer 26O carried by a holder 262. Of the Transducer 260 is imaged onto the isolation tank through an ultrasonic lens. A thin stretched menu flan 266 is provided to hold the Pass the reference bundle between the two liquid tanks 250 and 252 allow.

909887/0308 - ii -

BATH

A mirror 268 is arranged so that it extends horizontally Bundle reflected in the insulating tank 246. An ultrasonic frequency of about 3 MHz is preferred for both the object beam and the reference beam and can be driven if desired the transducers 232 and 260 are generated by a common power source.

The article-supporting bundle 256 and the reference bundle 258 interfere with each other to generate standing waves in a liquid surface of the insulating tank 246 2u. The standing wave pattern is able to bend light into different image-bearing orders. For best results it has been determined that the Bundles 256 and 258 at an angle of approximately §0 ° with each other should interfere if the frequency used is 3 MHz. For different frequencies and other different circumstances like the reflectors 254 and 268 are changed in direction with respect to one another along with movement of the insulating tank 246 either upwards or downwards relative to the reflectors.

The area detector is a thin liquid film 217, the is held in the insulating tank 246 by a round frame 272 and from the water 252 by a thin stretched over the frame 272 Membrane 264 is separated. The thin liquid film 270 preferably has a viscosity much greater than that of water so that standing wave patterns formed on its surface do not is disturbed by small mechanical vibrations, with fluorocarbon Preferred is · The thin, tensioned membrane 274 is preferably made of matte black polyvinyl chloride suitable for ultrasound is transparent «.

The on the over ° "'\ before the thin liquid film 270 due to interference of the antistatic bundle 256 and the Reference bundle 258 formed constant wave pattern can optically, such as 5, a substantially monochromatic light source 276 of small diameter is shown in FIG dear beam propagation controlled by a lens 278 to im essentially all formed on the liquid surface 270 Illuminate standing waves. This light is then bent and his different orders are separated by a lens 280 so that

_ ₁₂ _ 909887/0308

SAO ORfGmA ^ lSO GAS

a spatial filter 282 can be placed where these different orders of diffracted light to a point focus and that all but one first order bundle 284 are filtered out. A lens 286 may be desirable to accomplish this Light directed at one mirror 288 through another Directing the beam-controlling lens 290 to another mirror 292, so that a three-dimensional one carrying a half-length portrait Wavefront is generated in a convenient place for viewing in real time. Alternatively, the mirror 288 can be around one end 292 'can be pivoted into a position around the first-order Reflect diffraction light beam 284 in a camera 294 and thereby making a photograph of the image of the internal breast structure. In any case, the viewing optics are on the Part of the three-dimensional image that is desired to be viewed in focus. When the viewing optics are focused on one plane which passes through the image and which coincides with the liquid surface 270, the size and the Wavelength requirements on light source 276, as discussed in detail above, are reduced.

If a permanent hologram is desired so that a three-dimensional image of the internal breast structure can be reconstructed at a later point in time, an image-bearing first-aperture diffraction beam 284 (the light source 276 is now made coherent) interferes with an off-axis reference beam, that is coherent with source 276 and a photographic plate or film is exposed to this interference pattern. After development is _v, the photographic film a permanent hologram, which allows the reconstruction of an image of the chest structure by candling the film with substantially monochromatic light. As an alternative to using a separate reference beam to create a permanent hologram, could a second first-order diffraction beam 296 be caused to interfere with the first-order diffraction beam 284, recording the interference pattern on film? however, in many circumstances the results are not preferable.

A preferred support surface or breast restraint for the patient is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 for use with either two-dimensional direct mapping or three-dimensional holographic illustration. '9 09887/0308

- 13 BATH

A patient support surface 300 of FIG. 6 has a recessed upper rim surface area 302, which allows the patient's breast cavity close to the underlying liquid medium and her chest to be arranged in the liquid in an opening 306. Another deepening 304 in the recessed surface 302 is intended for the patient's right shoulder so that she is slightly on her right side and thereby causing the chest to be in contact with the edges of the opening 306 for most of the chest circumference bring. This firm contact is necessary to prevent the chest from sliding up and down in the holder below. Similarly, another surface indentation 308 is provided for the patient's left shoulder to facilitate placement of her Arrange the left breast as far as possible through the opening 306 to be able to without it slipping out of the holder. On the underside of the wing there is 3OO around the opening around a breast holder of preferred construction, which in detail from Fig. 7 can be seen. A box-like frame 310 has at one end thereof a U-shaped support plate 312 which is a thin membrane 314 under tension. This membrane should essentially be transparent or permeable for the ultrasonic frequencies used be. The membrane 314 is preferably made of a polymer film such as a polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene. A second U-shaped support plate 316 holds a similar diaphragm 318 in tension State. The support plate 316 is disposed in the frame 310 to form a chest cavity between the membranes 314 and 318. the Support plate 316 also has cylindrical guide members 320 and 322 attached to opposite sides thereof. These cylindrical members are mounted in guide slots 324 and 326 of the frame 310 in such a way that the support plate 316 around the center line common to cylindrical members 320 and 322 can be pivoted and further along the two guide slots 324 and 326 is slidable.

The support plate 316 is resiliently held away from the support plate 312 by a spring 327, the spring 327 between the cylindrical member 320 and the underside of the wing 320 is turned on, while a second (not shown) spring is disposed between the cylindrical member 322 and the support surface 300.

- 14 - 90S887 / 0308

BATH

When a breast is placed between the two membranes 314 and 318 is, the support plate 316 is towards the support plate 312 pulled, which puts pressure on the chest. This movement is generated by actuating a control button 332, which is movable is connected via a control gear box 335 to the underside of the U-shaped plate 316 by cables 328 and 330. In Similarly, rotation of the control knob 334 is transferred to the lower edge of the U-shaped plate 316 by ropes 331 and 333 the control gearbox 335 transferred. Different pulleys are shown, over which the four ropes süi between the support plate 316 and the transmission control box 335.

To operate this chest holder, the ropes 328 and

330 set in motion to pull the top of membrane 318 against the chest, thereby keeping the chest away from the chest cavity, without sliding out of the holder when the rest of the chest is pressurized. Then the ropes

331 and 333 moved to the bottom part of the membrane 318 against the Breasts, thereby holding them approximately evenly thick in the area through which the ultrasound is projected.

The membranes 314 and 318 have thickenings 315 and 319, respectively along their open edges for engaging and adapting to the various curvatures of the chest wall. These thickened Edges are kept taut to increase the initial pinch effect that keeps the chest from creeping up and out of the Prevents holder out.

When the breast is so set, ultrasound energy is passed through sent the breast and the two surrounding membranes 314 and 316, without going through the rib cage, and then it is imaged on the area detector as described above., If the inspection is performed, the support plate 316 is released from compression let go. This can be accomplished by any mechanism within the control jar 335 to. the Letting go of tension on the ropes.

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909887/0308

BAÖ OeiGff ^ to fm

The construction and mode of operation of ultrasonic lenses and preferred details of the same are dealt with in detail in an application that has been deleted from the application and referred to here Is referred to. However, for the method according to the invention particularly important applications and designs of such lenses are also discussed in this application.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, thin sheets 136 and 148 are made of polymeric material (or any other of those noted here Material that meets requirements) at a distance from one another between .einem center ring 144 and outer rings 145 and 149 using clamped by screws 147 and 150.

A needle valve 152 is inside an opening 153 of the middle support ring 144 screwed to the liquid flow into the cavity formed between the polymer films 136 and 148 check. When liquid through this valve into the cavity is introduced, air can be let out by opening one Vent valve 154 which is screwed into an opening 155 of the central support element. When all air is deflated from the cavity is, the vent valve 154 is closed and liquid is forced in through the needle valve until the polymer mem ~ Branches 136 and 138 assume a spherical shape with the desired radius of curvature.

Figure 10 illustrates a plunger or piston used to control the amount of fluid placed in the lens can be. A chamber 180 is formed by housing 181 which includes a plunger 182, the O-rings 183 and 184 to form a Has seal. A rod 185 screwed into one end of the housing 181 gives the plunger 182 the reciprocating force to to force liquid from chamber 180 through tube opening 186 of tube 188. This plunger assembly can go through continuously the tube 188 may be connected to the needle valve assembly 152 to adjust the amount of fluid in the lens and thereby its focal length check.

When designing a lens with this new Vordehnungs- ¹ step should have a high Dehnpunkt the selected material for the membranes and should be pre-stretched so that when they

- 16 - ■ 9 0 9887/0308

further expanded in the finished lens by internal fluid pressure the stress in the membranes will be close to its limit of proportionality. This will be the match with a spherical shape.

Various polymer films are suitable for the membranes available in the stores. Typical polymer films include: polyester (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate), polyimides (e.g. the polyimide of pyromellitic acid and bis (4-aminophenylVöther), fluorocarbon polymers and mixed polymers (e.g. the mixed polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene), polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, Polyolefins, and the like. The polymer film can, if desired be heat shrinkable, such as a heat shrinkable polyethylene terephthalate film. Also, the film can be made of cellulose acetate, which is normally prepared without orientation by casting using a solvent.

Although the improvement is described for a double concave lens it is to be understood that many variations in the shape of the lens are acceptable, while nonetheless of the improved Combination of materials and methods of construction the lens according to the invention is made use of. For example, a double concave lens could be constructed as set out above, besides that, when all the air is driven out of the cavity between the two membranes 136 and 148 of FIG. liquid would be withdrawn. The surrounding water or other ultrasonic transmission media exerts the necessary pressure on the membranes to make them concave shapes depending on the one between them accept remaining volume of liquid. Furthermore, a lens improved according to the invention can be constructed with only one membrane will; the other element including the lens fluid can be a solid element or even a transducer.

A diaphragm can also be tensioned after the lens is manufactured be subjected by a heat shrink technique. The wished Volume of lens fluid is in a lens cavity that is made up Sdalen consists of heat-shrinkable polymer films. Heating the films develops a spherical lens shape required voltage.

- ι? - 909887/0308

The unwanted reflection and absorption losses of the Diaphragms or shells 136 and 148 are reduced in that they are very thin in relation to the wavelength of the ultrasound · in that Shell material can be made. This thickness should either be less as 1/4 wavelength in the shell material or an integral number of half-wavelengths · The thinner the material, the smaller the losses. It was discovered that the shells 136 and 148 when they made from thin polymer membranes, very thin in proportion can be made to the ultrasonic wavelength used and yet still have strength and resistance to creep strain sustained during the time.

It should be understood that the invention described herein does not apply to the particular devices shown and described is limited, but that changes and adaptations within the scope of the inventive concept outlined in the appended claims possible are.

- Expectations -

9098S7 / 0308

Claims (9)

Expectations Ultrasonic mainmograph, characterized by: Means (220, 222 or 240, 242) for holding a female Breast (207 or 238) or another fleshy part of a living body immobile in the path of a bundle (212 resp. .336) of ultrasonic energy; and Means (213 or 264, 254) for imaging the ultrasound beam (212 or 336) on an area detector (214 or 246), after it has passed through at least part of the chest or the like is. 2. Mammograph according to claim 1, characterized in that that the means (220,222 or 240,242) for holding the female breast immobile further comprise devices for extending the Breast (207 or 238) away from the female body (204) and towards the Flatten them to reduce their maximum thickness. 3. Mammograph according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that g e k e η η ζ e i c hn e t that the means for holding the breast immobile comprises two membranes (224,226 and 314,318 respectively) which are essentially transparent for ultrasound and are attached at an angle to each other, in order to compress the breast arranged between them only close to the thoracic cavity when these membranes are drawn towards one another. 4. Mammograph according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for imaging an ultrasonic lens (213 or 244), which between the position of the breast (207 or 238) or the like. and the area detector (214 or 246) is arranged. 5 * Mammograph according to claim 4, characterized in that that the ultrasonic lens has the following features: Two thin shells (136,148) with a cavity between them include, where the thickness of these shells is related to the wavelength of the ultrasound in the shell material? and a sound-breaking liquid in the cavity. 909887/0308 - 19 - - 19 - ^ .4γ «Λ? Each ~ 49.s) ^{9 1 1 2 3 1} . / L 6. Mammograph according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized characterized in that the shells (136,148) are made of tensioned Polymer film are made in a desired surface shape by the sound-refracting liquid under pressure being held. 7. Ultrasonic manunograph, preferably according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized by: a liquid ultrasound transmitting liquid held in a tank (200) Medium (202 and 250, respectively); a surface (206,228 or 300) above the tank for supporting a female person (2O4) in an essentially lying position, this surface being provided with an opening (306) through which the breast (207 or 238) of the female person into the liquid (202 or 25O) can occur; means (208 or 234) arranged in the liquid medium for generating an essentially collimated, essentially parallel to and very close to the upper surface of the liquid (218) and the bundle (212 or 236} of ultrasonic energy; and an area detector (214 or 246) arranged in such a way that it detects the bundle (212 or 234) after it has passed through the breast (207 or 236) and generates a visible image of the bundle. 8. Ultrasonic mammograph according to claim 7, characterized in that g e k e η nzeich net that the liquid ultrasound transmitting medium (202 or 250) includes water. 9. Mammograph according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that g e k e η η - ζ e i c h η et, because the hole (306) in the wing (300) the Means (314,318) are provided for holding the chest immobile. IC. Mammograph according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that eichnet that the ultrasound lens comprises two tensioned Pclymermembranen (136,148), which between them a cavity form that with an ultrasonic refractive liquid of sufficient Volume is filled so that the membranes assume a desired curved surface and a lens of the desired focal length result. 909887/0308