JP2003520115A - Method and mechanism for X-ray image generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting a number of settings of an X-ray image generating device (10) for repeated mammography examinations, said device comprising at least one X-ray source (11). , A compression mechanism (12a) and a compression pedal (13a, 13b) for positioning and compressing the breast (14) of the patient to be examined. A mechanism stores the plurality of settings of the X-ray imaging device in the identity of the patient to be examined and a database (21) and stores a set of setting data from at least one recent X-ray examination of the patient. A control unit (16-19) for adjusting based on the data including, and a main control communicating with the control unit (16) for adjusting characteristics of X-ray irradiation from the X-ray source (11) It comprises a unit (15), a control unit (17) for adjusting the position of the X-ray source (11), and an identity input device (20). The mechanism further comprises a device (19) for adjusting the throttle slot width based on information retrieved from the database and / or the position of the pedal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and mechanism for adjusting multiple settings of an X-ray image generator for repetitive mammography examinations. The device comprises at least one X-ray source, a diaphragm mechanism and a compression pedal for positioning and compressing the breast of the patient to be examined. The mechanism comprises a control unit for adjusting the multiple settings of the x-ray imaging device based on the identity of the patient being examined and the data stored in the database, the data comprising:
A main control unit including a set of configuration data from at least one modern X-ray examination, in communication with the control unit for adjusting the characteristics of the X-ray irradiation from said X-ray source, and the position of said X-ray source And a identity input device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The adjustment of X-ray image generators, particularly mammography image generators, is usually a time consuming and labor intensive task, especially for nurses and technicians who are responsible for making pre-adjustments. is there. For each person examined, some settings usually have to be modified. The settings are related to the physical appearance of the patient, such as the height of the X-ray source and the breast compression mechanism, eg, the adjustment of the amount of power to the irradiation source, the current between the anode and cathode of the X-ray tube and the X-ray filtration. Includes physical characteristics of the device such as line strength and quality.

US Pat. No. 5,349,625 describes the installation adjustment of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus for a peripheral angiography examination including a control unit having an arithmetic unit, the installation adjustment being provided by the subject-related data provided. In addition to the presetting of the installation adjustment electrical parameters required for each exposure, the relative adjustment of the exposure unit and the patient indicator with respect to each other in step length and number of steps is required. It is carried out together with the aperture setting. The presetting reduces stress on the patient and also reduces the overall time per test, thus increasing patient throughput.

US Pat. No. 4,907,251, ie a positioning device of a medical panoramic radiography device, in which the radiography device is supplied from a sensor in order to generate comparison data which is then transmitted to a drive circuit. After the data of the relative position of the subject with respect to is compared with the data of the relative position of the tomographic region with respect to the X-ray imaging device,
The tomography generating assembly and / or the subject are moved to coincide with each other. The device further includes a comparison arithmetic circuit in which the detected position data of the subject and the position data of the tomographic region are compared in an arithmetic operation to improve maneuverability and positioning accuracy. The device further comprises a sensor, the sensor being adjustable for angular and vertical settings by using the sensing repositioning means in order to improve its applicability to the characteristics of the subject.

However, these documents address a particular problem with mammography: placing the patient's breast in a precise location and compressing the breast to obtain even tissue compression for good resolution. Do not consider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION What is needed is an X-ray image generator, particularly an apparatus for mammography inspection,
It is a mechanism that allows the settings specific to a particular patient to be examined to be taken automatically.

An advantage with the mechanism according to the invention is that it reduces the burden on the technician and the patient and reduces the preconditioning time, thus increasing the number of persons to be examined and the examination flow.

For this reason, the first-mentioned mechanism further comprises a device for adjusting the diaphragm slot width based on information retrieved from the database and / or the position of the pedal. Further, the mechanism comprises means for detecting the position of the pedal, a compression sensor for detecting the pressure exerted by the pedal on the breast and adjusting the pressure, and a position sensor for positioning the X-ray source. The identity input device is any one of a card reading device, a fingerprint sensor, a PIN code input device or a keyboard.

The invention also relates to a method in the initially mentioned mechanism. The method comprises the steps of requesting the patient's identity, and upon receiving the identity, retrieving a set of configuration data from the patient's latest at least one radiographic examination and / or the position of the pedal. Characterized by adjusting the aperture slot width based on said information. According to the method, a substantial manual adjustment is made in the first examination of the patient and the result of the substantial manual adjustment is registered for a later examination.

In the following, the invention will be further explained, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system using the mechanism according to the invention, in particular a mammography inspection apparatus.

The essential part of the system 10 comprises a radiation source 11, a diaphragm means 12 and pedals including first and second compression pedals 13a and 13b, respectively. The female breast 14 is located between the compression pedals 13a and 13b. The upper compression pedal 13a is at least partially permeable to X-ray radiation, while the lower pedal 13b can include a film or detector assembly (not shown).

The mechanism according to the invention mainly comprises a main control unit 15 and sub-control units 16-19 connected to the main control unit. The sub-control unit 16 is an X-ray source controller, for example controlling the X-ray intensity by controlling the power level for the X-ray tube and the current between the cathode and the anode of the X-ray tube. The sub-controller 17 is a stepper motor or the like for repositioning the x-ray source 11 horizontally and / or vertically with respect to the position of the breast 14. The sub-controller labeled 18 is
The characteristic of the diaphragm 12, for example, the width of the diaphragm slot is adjusted. The sub controller 19
A device such as a stepper motor that shifts the pedals 13a, 13b relative to each other to control the pressure exerted on the breast 14. X-ray source and pedal 13a / 1
It is also possible to move the entire device, including 3b, to fit the height of the patient.

One important feature is that the aperture slit width may be adjusted in relation to patient data and / or compressed breast thickness (distance between pedals) to adjust the dose of irradiation. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the slit width (of the multi-slit diaphragm) during inspection.

The main control unit 15 also includes or is in communication with an input device 20 and a data storage unit (database) 21. The function of the control unit is
Controlling the sub-control unit based on inputs from the input device and the storage unit. The input device may be any of a card reading device, biometric sensor, PIN code input device, keyboard, etc. known to those skilled in the art. The storage unit may be any of a memory unit, hard disk, CD-ROM, etc. used to store data. Obviously, the storage unit may be implemented as part of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the internet, an intranet, etc., with which the main control unit communicates. The main control unit has a known type of computer unit configuration and mainly comprises a processing unit (not shown), a memory and an interface for communicating with other units or devices.

The present invention relates to repetitive X-ray examinations, such as mammography examinations, and in particular to mass screening, since the system settings depend on the physical appearance of the patient, such as length, breast thickness, etc. Most suitable for the situation. The present invention may also be used in bone density tests.

The following non-limiting examples facilitate the understanding of the present invention. If this is the first time a person is examined, the heights of the pedals 13a, 13b and the X-ray source are adjusted in a known manner with respect to the height of the patient, and the person's breast is under a certain pressure on the breast. It is arranged between the compression pedals 13a and 13b for applying the pressure. The height of the pedal and the radiation source is
It is automatically (or manually) registered by the sensor and stored in the database 21 in association with the patient's identity. X depending on the thickness of the breast or tissue
The intensity of the line beam, the exposure area and the time are adjusted by adjusting the power and current to the x-ray tube and possibly by adjusting the diaphragm 12. All settings are stored in the database described above for later use. The sensor is provided to read the set point, but manual reading and data entry may be performed.

If the test is for a person who has been previously tested and her relevant data is stored in the database, the system is driven by entering her identity through the input device 20. Her identity is an identification number, social security number, fingerprint or any other unique identifying code. Based on the identity of the person to be inspected, and preferably after identity verification, the main control unit provides a database 21 of height, pedal pressure, x-ray intensity, focus size and exposure time and other relevant data. Search from. The main control unit is associated with the data retrieved from the database, the sub control unit 16 ...
Control 19. When the patient is placed in the x-ray exposure position, the step motor 17 positions the x-ray source 11 at the correct height, pedals 13a and 13b are positioned at the correct height, and the technician places the patient between the pedals. Helping to position the breast of the pedal, the pedal is then narrowed by the stepper motor 19 and squeezes the breast into a substantially flat shape for best contrast. The x-ray source is then controlled based on the breast thickness to deliver the correct power. If the settings need to be readjusted, the new settings are stored.

The system can be extended by storing X-ray images in digital form, which can be used, for example, to examine changes in tumors.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, which can be modified in numerous ways, without departing from the scope of the appended claims, the mechanism and the method being It can be implemented in various ways depending on the functional units, demands and requirements.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   5 is a schematic diagram illustrating X-ray image generation according to the present invention.

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Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A mechanism for adjusting a number of settings of an X-ray image producing device (10) for repeated mammography examination, said device comprising at least one.
A plurality of x-ray sources (11), a diaphragm mechanism (12) and compression pedals (13a, 13b) for positioning and compressing the patient's breast to be examined (14). A control unit for adjusting settings based on data stored in an identity and database (21) of the patient to be examined and including a set of setting data from at least one latest X-ray examination of the patient ( 16 to 19), and a control unit (for adjusting the characteristics of X-ray irradiation from the X-ray source (11).
16) a main control unit (15) in communication, a control unit (17) for adjusting the position of the X-ray source (11), and an identity input device (20), Mechanism, further comprising a device (19) for adjusting based on information retrieved from a database and / or the position of said pedal. 2. Mechanism according to claim 1, comprising means for detecting the position of the pedals (13a, 13b). 3. Detecting the pressure exerted by the pedal on the breast,
The mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a compression sensor that adjusts the pressure. 4. Mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identity input device is any one of a card reading device, a fingerprint sensor, a PIN code input device or a keyboard. 5. The mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor for positioning the X-ray source. 6. At least one for repetitive mammography examination.
In an X-ray image generator (10) comprising two X-ray sources (11), a diaphragm mechanism (12) and a compression pedal (13a, 13b) for positioning and compressing the breast (14) of the patient to be examined, The mechanism stores the multiple settings of the X-ray image generator in an identity and database (21) of the patient to be examined, the set of setting data from at least one latest X-ray examination of the patient. And a control unit (16 to 19) for adjusting the characteristics of the X-ray irradiation from the X-ray source (11) based on the data including
16) a main control unit (15) in communication with, a control unit (17) for adjusting the position of the X-ray source (11), and an identity input device (20), the method for adjusting the settings. Requesting the patient's identity, upon receiving the identity, retrieving a set of configuration data from the patient's at least one most recent radiographic examination and / or the position of the pedal; Adjusting the aperture slot width based on said information. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the first examination of the patient, substantially manual adjustment is performed, and a result of the substantial manual adjustment is registered for a later examination. The method described.