JP2007050159A - X-ray ct examining apparatus for mamma, and mamma shaping tool for x-ray ct examination of mamma - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray CT examining apparatus which can easily specify an abnormal area in the vicinity of the mamma. <P>SOLUTION: This X-ray CT examining apparatus 2 for the mamma includes a mamma shaping means 30, an X-ray generating means 16, and a transmitted X-ray detecting means 18. In this case, the mamma shaping means 30 can shape the mamma without holding the mamma by supporting at least a part of the mamma. The X-ray generating means 16 can irradiate the area of the mamma which has been shaped by the mamma shaping means 30 with an X ray. The transmitted X-ray detecting means 18 faces the X-ray generating means 16. Thus, the detection of the abnormal area is facilitated, and at the same time, pains accompanying the examination can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus and a breast shaping tool for breast X-ray CT examination used for breast cancer examination and the like.

  Conventionally, X-ray mammography, ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance), and the like are used as inspection methods for breast cancer in addition to palpation methods. In particular, according to X-ray mammography, wet cancer tissue and calcification of cells, which are also traces of cancer tissue, can be detected. Therefore, it is considered to be more reliable than other examination methods. For this reason, in view of the increasing tendency of the incidence of breast cancer in recent years, mammography examination using X-rays has been recommended in breast cancer screening, which was mainly palpation.

X-ray mammography is a method of obtaining a transmission image of a breast by compressing a breast with a compression plate one by one and projecting X-rays parallel to the chest from the upper oblique direction of the body axis. The direction of imaging is often unidirectional for group screening, and imaging from several directions is performed for close examination. Conventionally, a screen film has been used to capture X-ray images, and doctors have used this method to interpret images using a Schaukasten. Recently, digital mammography using a computed radiography (CR) or flat panel solid-state imaging device has been used. Are also being used.
JP 2004-105746 A JP 2003-325499 A

  Here, the above-described compression plate is intended to make the breast flat and facilitate X-ray transmission imaging, and to image the breast as far away from the chest wall as possible and close to the chest wall. However, even when a potential cancer site is detected, it is an image with the breast deformed, and it is difficult to specify the detection site in three dimensions. In addition, in order to obtain an X-ray transmission image in such a compressed state, the subject may be in pain or fear. Furthermore, according to the conventional X-ray irradiation method, sufficient resolution is not obtained in any of digital mammography and CR using a screen film and a flat panel, and there is a problem in detecting an abnormal site near the chest wall. was there.

  On the other hand, the use of whole body CT has been attempted as an inspection method that compensates for this drawback of X-ray mammography. However, in whole body CT, spatial resolution / contrast resolution is insufficient and contrasting of breast and breast cancer using a contrast medium is necessary. For this reason, it is difficult to use for subjects who are allergic to a contrast medium such as iodine, and it is not suitable for examinations for a large number of normal people such as mass screening due to drug injection treatment. Furthermore, in the case of this CT, the entire chest is exposed, and from the standpoint of reducing the exposure dose, it is not suitable for examinations for a large number of normal people such as mass screening.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the X-ray mammography described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus that can easily identify an abnormal site. Another object of the present invention is to provide a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus that can easily detect an abnormal site near the chest wall. Another object of the present invention is to provide a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus that can relieve pain during examination.

  As a result of the study, the present inventors can solve the above-described problems by shaping at least a part of the breast without shaping the breast and irradiating the shaped breast with X-rays. The present invention has been completed. That is, according to the present invention, the following means are provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an X-ray CT examination apparatus for breasts, which includes a breast shaping unit that supports at least a part of a breast and can be shaped without pinching the breast, and a breast shaped by the breast shaping unit. An apparatus is provided that includes X-ray generation means capable of irradiating a site with X-rays, and transmitted X-ray detection means opposed to the X-ray generation means.

  In this apparatus, the X-ray generation means can be a means capable of irradiating X-rays to a part of the breast not supported by the breast shaping means. Further, the X-ray generation means may be a means provided so as to be movable along the peripheral edge of the base of the breast shaped by the breast shaping means. Further, in this apparatus, the transmitted X-ray detection means may be a means provided so as to be movable along the peripheral edge of the base of the breast shaped by the breast shaping means. In the present specification, “breast base” means a portion near the chest wall of the breast. Thus, the base of the breast typically has an arcuate or annular contour where the breast rises from the chest wall. The “breast base peripheral edge” means the peripheral part of the breast near the breast wall. For example, the “periphery of the base of the breast” corresponds to the peripheral edge of the above-described arc shape or tubular contour.

  Furthermore, the X-ray generation means is a means capable of emitting X-rays in a cone beam shape, and the transmitted X-ray detection means is configured to substantially simultaneously apply the X-rays irradiated in the cone beam shape by the X-ray generation means. Means may be provided with a detectable detector. Further, the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means may be rotatably supported while maintaining an opposing state.

  In this apparatus, the breast shaping means may be a means for shaping so that the vicinity of the top of the breast is separated from the chest wall. The breast shaping means may be a means for shaping the breast while supporting the vicinity of the top of the breast. Furthermore, in this apparatus, it is good also as a means in which at least one part of a breast is suction-supported and shape | molded.

  In addition, this apparatus can also include other breast shaping means for shaping so that the vicinity of the breast base is erected from the chest wall in contact with at least a part of the breast. In such an embodiment, the other breast shaping means may have an arcuate body or an annular body that supports the breast along the circumference of the breast. Furthermore, in such an aspect, at least a part of the inside of the arcuate body or the annular body has a hollow part that can be filled with gas, and the arcuate body or the annular body is a gas filled in the hollow part. It is also possible to demonstrate the ability to support the breast according to the amount.

  The device may also be a device for examining the breast in any of the standing, sitting, lying, lying or supine postures.

  According to the present invention, there is also an X-ray CT examination system for breasts, which is shaped by the breast shaping means that can shape the breast without supporting the breast while supporting at least a part of the breast. An X-ray CT examination apparatus comprising: X-ray generation means capable of irradiating the breast with X-rays; and transmission X-ray detection means opposed to the X-ray generation means; and the X-ray CT examination apparatus Image reconstruction means for reconstructing an image based on transmission X-ray information detected by the transmission X-ray detection means and converting the image into image information; and image display means for displaying an image based on the image information. A system is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a control method for an X-ray CT examination apparatus, the step of controlling the X-ray generation means to generate X-rays by the X-ray generation means, and the control of the transmission X-ray detection means to control the breast. A step of detecting X-rays transmitted through the breast shaped by the breast shaping means that can be shaped without supporting the breast while supporting at least a part thereof, and a reconstruction process based on the detected transmission X-ray information There is provided a method comprising: converting to X-ray transmission image information of a breast; and displaying an image based on the X-ray transmission image information on an image display means.

  In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a breast shaping tool for a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus, comprising breast shaping means capable of shaping the breast while supporting the vicinity of the top of the breast. . According to the present invention, there is provided a breast shaping tool set for an X-ray CT examination apparatus for breasts, the first breast shaping means for shaping the breast while supporting the vicinity of the top of the breast, and the circumference of the breast A second breast shaping means having an arcuate body or an annular body for supporting the breast and shaping the vicinity of the breast base so as to stand upright from the chest wall.

  A breast X-ray CT examination apparatus according to the present invention includes a breast shaping unit that supports at least a part of a breast and can perform shaping without pinching the breast, and X-rays are emitted from the breast shaped by the breast shaping unit. X-ray generation means capable of irradiation and X-ray detection means facing the X-ray irradiation source are provided. According to this apparatus, the breast is shaped without being pinched by the breast shaping means, and X-rays are irradiated to the breast shaped by the breast shaping means. For this reason, pressure and pain caused by pinching the breast are avoided, and X-rays are irradiated to the shaped breast, so that it is easy to specify a disease suspected part and the like. Therefore, according to the apparatus of the present invention, an apparatus for examining a breast by X-rays suitable for group examination or the like is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an X-ray CT examination system, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the X-ray CT examination apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of a breast shaping tool and its use. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of X-ray scanning in an X-ray examination of a breast, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of a breast shaping tool, and FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of a line CT inspection apparatus.

(X inspection device)
As shown in FIG. 1, an X-ray CT examination system 1 for breast M according to the present invention executes an X-ray CT examination apparatus 2 for breast M, imaging control by the X-ray CT examination apparatus 2, processing of imaging data, and the like. A computer 50 and a display 60 are provided. The X-ray CT inspection apparatus 2 is an X-ray CT inspection apparatus for a breast M in a sitting position, and an X-ray generator that is a microfocus X-ray source is provided on the distal end side of an arm 10 fixed on a base 4. 16, an imaging unit 12 including a high-resolution X-ray detector 18 and a breast shaping tool 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray CT inspection apparatus 2 includes a base 4 installed on a top plate such as a floor or an appropriate table, and the base 4 is covered with an X-ray imaging unit 12. The arm 10 is provided so as to be adjustable to an appropriate height and angle with respect to the examiner's breast M.

  An X-ray imaging unit 12 is provided on the distal end side of the arm 10 via a rotating shaft 14 driven by a drive motor mechanism 13. The X-ray imaging unit 12 includes a sleeve 15a that is an X-ray shield, and an X-ray generator that is fixed to both ends of the arm 15b that can be rotated by a rotating shaft 14 is provided inside the sleeve 15a. 16 and a transmission X-ray detector 18. The sleeve 15 a is provided so as to be removable, and is fixed so as not to rotate with the rotation of the rotating shaft 14. The central portion of the arm 15b is attached to the rotating shaft 14, and the rotating shaft 14 rotates around the rotating shaft 14. The rotational range and speed of the rotating shaft 14 and the arm 15b are configured to be controllable by input from an operating device connected to the computer 50 and the inspection apparatus 2.

  The X-ray generator 16 is fixed to one end side of the arm 15b so as to be movable in the radial direction. The X-ray generator 16 has a cylindrical casing that is in contact with or close to the chest wall of the subject when an X-ray transmission image is taken. An X-ray irradiation window is provided near the examiner's chest wall. The irradiation window may be provided with a diaphragm device that can enlarge and reduce the irradiation area.

  The transmission X-ray detector 18 is fixed to one end of the arm 15b opposite to the side to which the X-ray generator 16 is fixed so as to be movable in the radial direction. As the transmission X-ray detector 18, a semiconductor X-ray image detector having a flat surface is used. According to such a transmission X-ray detector 18, two-dimensional CT projection data in the horizontal direction and the height direction can be obtained by the digital image method. Each pixel included in the detector 18 can directly convert the transmitted X-rays into an electronic signal and transmit the intensity as an electronic image signal. The transmission X-ray detector 18 bends flexibly in accordance with the size and shape of the breast M, and can form an optimum curvature for collecting projection data. The transmitted X-ray detector 18 preferably has an arcuate shape along the periphery of the base of the breast M and for detecting the transmitted X-ray dose of X-rays at an equal distance from the X-ray generation point.

  The transmission X-ray detector 18 is disposed so as to face the X-ray generator 16 with the breast M of the subject interposed therebetween. Further, since the X-ray generator 16 and the transmission X-ray generator 18 are respectively fixed to the arm 15b, the X-ray generator 16 and the transmission X-ray generator 18 can be rotated while maintaining the relative positions with the rotation of the rotating shaft 14 and the arm 15b. Yes.

  The breast shaping tool 30 can shape the breast M by sucking and supporting the top of the subject's breast M or its vicinity. Such a breast shaping tool 30 is provided in the vicinity of the arm 15b so as to protrude toward the breast M of the subject. More specifically, it is provided in the vicinity of a portion connected to the rotating shaft 14 of the arm 15b. The protruding length and position of the breast shaping tool 30 can be adjusted as appropriate using known means such as an elastic body or a gear mechanism, or known shape maintaining means such as filling a bendable core material. The breast shaping tool 30 has an adsorbing portion 32 that can adsorb to the apex of the breast M or the vicinity thereof on the tip side. The adsorbing part 32 has a substantially cup shape (preferably corresponding to the shape of the top of the breast M) and is made of an elastomer having elasticity so as to be in close contact. Further, the suction part 32 is connected to a suction pipe 34 inserted through the arm 10 and a vacuum suction source 36 communicating with the suction pipe 34 at the back thereof. The suction portion 32 and the suction pipe 34 are supported so as not to interfere with the rotation of the rotating shaft 14 and the rotation of the arm 15b.

  The computer 50 controls the position and rotation angle of the support member 14, controls the X-ray irradiation amount and timing in the X-ray generator 16, and transmits X-rays from transmitted X-ray information such as transmitted X-ray dose acquired from the transmitted X-ray detector 18. CPU for executing various processes such as composition of transmission images, display of X-ray transmission images on the display 60, ROM for storing various programs, memory such as RAM, and stored transmission X-ray dose data and X-ray transmission images It is configured as a microprocessor with a hard disk. In the present embodiment, the computer 50 is used, but any image processing apparatus that can reconstruct data about transmitted X-rays into a CT image may be used.

  Next, an operation for inspecting a subject's breast M using X-rays using the X-ray CT inspection system 1 will be described. It is assumed that the subject is resting in a sitting position by wearing an X-ray exposure protection sheet that exposes only one of the breasts M. First, the base 4 of the X-ray CT inspection apparatus 2 is previously set at a predetermined position, and the sleeve 15a is removed. The suction part 32 of the breast shaping tool 30 is protruded from the vicinity of the center of the arm 15b to reach the top of the subject's breast M, and suction is started by the vacuum suction source 36. The top of the breast M is sucked and supported. Thereby, the subject is shaped so that the vicinity of the apex of the breast M of the subject is separated from the chest wall. By adjusting the intensity of suction, the degree of pain can be adjusted, and the degree of separation from the chest wall and the shape of the breast M can be shaped. A guide that can easily shape the breast M into a certain shape can also be used. For example, the breast shape is measured from the front or side view of the breast M during the shaping operation using an optical camera, the shape diagram is displayed on the display 60 together with the coordinate axis, and the coordinate axis is used as a guide. The breast M may be shaped into a certain form.

  According to such a shaping operation of the breast M, since the breast M is not sandwiched, pain and the like are reduced. Further, in this method, since the breast M is not greatly deformed such as flattened, it is a form close to nature or the same form can be easily reproduced, so that an abnormal part can be easily identified. Furthermore, since the breast shaping tool 30 does not support the vicinity of the base part near the chest wall of the breast M, the part can be reliably irradiated with X-rays, and an abnormality in the part can be easily detected. Can be done. Furthermore, the top part of the breast M is supported and shaped by the suction part 32, and the suction part 32 is approximately aligned with the rotation center of the arm 15b, so that the breast M can be shaped and inspected with good reproducibility. As a result, a highly accurate inspection is possible.

  Next, the arm 15b is rotated to set the X-ray generator 16 at a predetermined angular position. Due to the rotation of the arm 15b accompanying the position setting of the X-ray generator 16, the transmission X-ray detector 18 is also rotated and positioned while maintaining the facing state. The tip of the X-ray generator 16 is preferably in contact with the chest wall at the periphery of the base of the breast M. Therefore, if necessary, the position of the distal end portion of the X-ray generator 16 is set so as to come into contact with the chest wall at the peripheral edge of the base of the breast M. Since the X-ray generator 16 is formed to be slidable in the radial direction, the X-ray generator 16 is moved to a desired position within the radius range. Similarly, the distal end of the transmission X-ray detector 18 is preferably in contact with the chest wall at the periphery of the base of the breast M so as to face the X-ray generator 16. Since the transmission X-ray detector 18 is also slidable along the radial direction, the position is adjusted as necessary. In this way, by arranging the X-ray generator 16 and the transmitted X-ray detector 18 in contact with or in contact with the chest wall, the X-ray is also irradiated in the vicinity of the chest wall and the transmitted X-ray is detected. Will be able to. After such preparation, the radiation shielding sleeve 15 a is attached to the fixed shaft 19.

  After shaping the breast M and setting the X-ray generator 16 and the transmission X-ray detector 18 in this way, the rotary shaft 14 is moved from the previously set position of the X-ray generator 16 under the preset X-ray irradiation conditions. The X-ray generator 16 and the transmitted X-ray detector 18 are moved along the periphery of the base of the breast M around the top of the breast M by rotating the arm 15b in a range of about 180 ° to 360 ° around the center. The predetermined range of the breast M is scanned with X-rays. According to such scanning, tomographic data of the breast M can be obtained in an unconventional form, and as a result, an image with high spatial resolution can be obtained. Furthermore, a higher contrast resolution than that of the conventional mammography can be realized. In addition, since it is a method of accumulating captured images from multiple directions, image noise is less and a small contrast difference can be effectively identified compared to a mammography image from one direction. In addition, abnormal sites such as microcalcifications near the chest wall can be detected easily and reliably.

  The projection data of the breast M is collected by generating X-rays from the X-ray generator 16 at each rotation angle and obtaining a two-dimensional transmission image (projection data) by the transmission X-ray detector 18. The projection data collection angle number (view number) in the rotation range can be set to an appropriate value. The number of channels (number of pixels) of the two-dimensional projection data can be set to 512 or more, and the number of vertical slices (number of pixels) can be set in the range of about 100 to 500. The resolution of one pixel can be 0.1 mm or less when the geometric magnification is taken into account. For example, when the slice thickness is set to 0.2 mm and the number of slices is set to 240, a three-dimensional CT image having a height of 48 mm can be obtained by imaging with one rotation. That is, a 48-mm-high breast M can be photographed with one rotation.

  The projection data for each angle detected by the transmission X-ray detector 18 is sequentially transmitted to the computer 50, and the computer 50 executes a predetermined calculation process defined by the projection data reconstruction calculation program. Note that a tomographic image obtained by obliquely cutting the breast M is obtained at the tomographic plane deviated from the center of the X-ray and the center of the transmission X-ray detector 18. Image diagnosis can be performed directly using this tomographic image, but these oblique cut surfaces can be converted into vertical cut surfaces to form a highly accurate three-dimensional image. In this conversion, a geometric correction coefficient for each pixel is calculated from the projection angle with respect to the center line of the X-ray, and the three-dimensional position of the pixel is corrected using this coefficient. Can be reconfigured.

  The acquired tomographic image and three-dimensional image are displayed on the display 60. The display image can be selected as appropriate, such as a whole image or a cross-sectional image at an arbitrary angle. For example, it is possible to set optimal conditions for observation of a site that appears to be a lesion, such as a calcified site, a tumor site, or an abnormal mammary gland, using contrast enhancement / gamma conversion, contour enhancement, or other image processing. Such setting can also be performed by a breast phantom before the examination.

  As described above, the X-ray CT examination of the breast M of the subject can be performed. If the entire breast M cannot be inspected by one scanning, the remaining portion can be inspected.

  In addition to rough observation of the whole or a cross section, image processing can be performed on these images using CAD (Computer Assisted Diagnostics) software incorporated in the computer 60. For example, enlargement of an abnormal part, display of only an abnormal part by setting a contrast threshold, display from a breast internal viewing angle, and the like. As described above, the three-dimensional position of the abnormal part can be accurately specified by the reconstructed three-dimensional image and the image processing by CAD.

  As described above, according to the inspection system 1, the breast M is shaped without being pinched by the breast shaping tool 30, and the thus shaped breast M is irradiated with X-rays. For this reason, pressure and pain caused by pinching the breast M are avoided, and the shaped breast M is irradiated with X-rays, so that it is easy to specify a disease suspected part or the like. Therefore, according to the apparatus of the present invention, an examination apparatus for breast M using X-rays suitable for group examination or the like is provided.

  Further, according to the inspection system 1, the breast shaping tool 30 does not support the vicinity of the base close to the chest wall of the breast M, so that the portion can be reliably irradiated with X-rays. It is possible to easily detect anomalies in. Further, by arranging the X-ray generator 16 and the transmitted X-ray detector 18 so as to contact or contact the chest wall, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality at the site.

  Further, according to this inspection system 1, since the entire chest is not exposed unlike conventional CT, and only the soft tissue of the breast M is imaged, only X-rays of energy effective for imaging are used. can do. Furthermore, effective shielding for minimizing the exposure of human bodies other than the breast M is possible.

  Moreover, according to this inspection system 1, high spatial resolution and high contrast resolution can be easily obtained. In particular, in the examination by the sitting position, the shaping operation of the breast M can be easily performed, and the positioning thereof can be easily performed.

  The CPU that executes the image reconstruction calculation process of the computer 50 in the inspection system 1 corresponds to an image reconstruction unit that reconstructs the CT image based on the transmission X-ray information and converts it into image information. It corresponds to a display means, projection data or the like corresponds to transmission X-ray information, and a tomographic image or a three-dimensional image reconstructed by the computer 50 and displayed on the display 60 corresponds to an image based on the X-ray transmission image information. . Further, the breast shaping tool 30 in the X-ray CT examination apparatus 2 corresponds to the breast shaping means or the first breast shaping means of the present invention, the X-ray generator 16 corresponds to the X-ray generation means, and the transmitted X-rays. The detector 18 corresponds to transmitted X-ray detection means.

  In the present embodiment, the X-ray generator 16 and the transmission X-ray detector 18 are fixed to the arm 15b that is configured to be rotatable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be fixed to the support. The X-ray generator 16 and the transmission X-ray detector 18 are fixed to the arm 15b. However, the support is not limited to the arm shape, and may be a plate shape. There is nothing to limit the shape. Furthermore, the X-ray generator 16 can be equipped with a metal plate filter for removing soft X-rays unnecessary for CT image acquisition. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the exposure dose of soft X-rays and high-energy X-rays that are not necessary for image production.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission X-ray detector 18 is an X-ray detector having a semiconductor plane, which is flexibly deformed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The size and curvature may be prepared and appropriately selected according to the size of the breast M of the subject. Further, the detector 18 may be a flat detector 18 as well as an arcuate body having a curvature.

  In the present embodiment, the breast shaping tool 30 supports the vicinity of the top of the breast M, but is not limited thereto. For example, the breast shaping tool 30 supports other parts of the breast M such as the side of the breast M. Also good. Further, not only one place of the breast M but two or more places may be supported. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the breast shaping tool 30 is configured to suck and support the breast M by suction from a vacuum suction source. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other configurations may be used as long as they can be formed on the spot. For example, a suction part having a deformability capable of sucking and discharging gas can be provided in communication with the suction part 32. By doing so, the suction part 32 can be brought into close contact with any surface of the breast M in a deformed state in which gas is discharged from the suction part, and the inside of the suction part can be decompressed by releasing the deformed state. . Further, for example, a suction part equipped with gas suction / discharge means such as a syringe can be used so that gas can be sucked / discharged without depending on such deformability. In addition, an adhesive that exhibits adhesiveness may be used for the suction part, or the breast M may be supported by using a material having high adhesiveness for the part that contacts the breast M.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the breast shaping tool 30 is fixed to the arm 15b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the breast M can be supported, it is fixed to a portion other than the arm 15b such as the sleeve 15a. May be. Further, the arrangement and configuration of the suction tube 34 and the vacuum suction source 36 are not particularly limited, and an appropriate arrangement and configuration may be adopted as necessary.

  The breast shaping tool 40 can be used together with the breast shaping tool 30 or separately from the breast shaping tool 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the breast shaping tool 40 has an annular body 42 for supporting the periphery of the breast M and adjusting the shape of the breast M. The annular body 42 is formed of an elastomer tube, and has a gas intake / exhaust port 44 so that gas can be supplied to and discharged from a hollow portion 42a formed inside. The elasticity of the annular body 42 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of gas filled into the hollow portion 42 to adjust the elastic supporting force for the periphery of the breast M. According to such a breast shaping tool 40, the vicinity of the base of the breast M can be erected from the chest wall by supporting any circumference in the height range of the breast M. By doing so, X-ray irradiation and transmission X-ray detection in the vicinity of the base of the breast M can be easily performed. Further, by using in combination with the breast shaping tool 30, shaping can be performed more easily and with good reproducibility. In addition, the breast shaping tool 40 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may not exhibit elasticity by filling the hollow portion 42 with gas. The annular body 42 itself may have elasticity, or an urging member that imparts an elastic support force to the annular body 42 may be provided. Moreover, it may have moderate plasticity and exhibit a supporting force. For example, it may be a gel or filled with a gel. Further, the breast shaping tool 40 may not be a complete annular body 42 but may be an arcuate body. Such a breast shaping tool 40 corresponds to another breast shaping means or second breast shaping means in the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the X-ray detector 16 and the transmission X-ray detector 18 are positioned near the base of the breast M in accordance with the size of the breast M of the subject. In order to limit the X-ray irradiation area to the width and height of the examiner's breast M, an irradiation sleeve having an opening of a predetermined size as an irradiation window is used for irradiation between the breast M and the X-ray generator 16. It can also be set so that the window is located. By doing so, the X-ray irradiation region can be easily adjusted as necessary.

  In this embodiment, the X-ray examination of the breast M is performed in the sitting position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and detection is performed according to various examination postures such as the lying position, the prone position, the supine position, and the standing position. A device can be configured. FIG. 6 shows an example of the inspection apparatus 102 when the inspection posture is the prone position. The inspection apparatus 102 includes a base 104 and an arm 110, and also includes an imaging unit 112 on the distal end side. The base 104, the arm 110, and the imaging unit 112 are substantially the same as the inspection apparatus 2 except that the imaging unit 112 is prepared on the lower surface side of the bed 120 having the opening 122 that can expose the breast M of the prone subject. It has the same configuration. That is, the X-ray generator 116 and the transmitted X-ray detector 118 are fixed to an arm 115b that can be rotated by a rotation shaft. The X-ray generator 116 can come into contact with or reach the chest wall in the vicinity of the breast M base of the subject exposed at the opening 122, and the transmission X-ray detector 118 is also able to reach the generator 116. It is possible to reach the peripheral edge of the base of the subject's breast M so that the position of the subject can be adjusted according to the size of the breast M and the like. Further, such an imaging unit 112 can similarly include a breast shaping tool 130 including a suction unit 132. The bed 120 also functions as an X-ray exposure protector. The subject is prone so that the breast M corresponds to the opening 122 of the bed 120, and the breast M is shaped by operating the breast shaping tool 130 with respect to the breast M, and the X-ray generator 116 and the transmission X If the line detector 118 is set, the X-ray transmission image can be obtained by moving the X-ray generator 116 along the base periphery of the breast M by X-rays by the same operation as described above. In addition, according to this inspection apparatus 102, X-rays can be shielded by the bed 120, and it is easy to install the X-ray shield 115a in the space under the bed 120.

  In addition, the inspection apparatus which uses the supine position, the recumbent position or the standing position as the inspection posture is an inspection which uses the X-ray protective sheet which exposes only the breast M used in the inspection apparatus 2 which assumes the sitting position or the prone position as the inspection posture. It is possible to apply an X-ray exposure protector such as the bed 120 having the opening 122 used in the apparatus 102, and the inspection apparatuses 2 and 102 have the bases 4 and 104 in the inspection apparatus for obtaining such an inspection posture. If the positional relationship between the arms 10 and 110 and the photographing units 12 and 112 is adjusted as appropriate, it can be easily configured.

  In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described as an X-ray CT examination system for breast M. However, the present invention relates to an X-ray CT examination apparatus for breast M, a breast shaping tool for an X-ray CT examination apparatus for breast M, and a breast. Any form of the control method of the shaping tool set and the X-ray CT examination apparatus for examination of the breast M may be used.

The figure which shows an example of a X-ray CT inspection system. The figure which shows the outline of the X-ray CT inspection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the breast shaping tool, and its usage example. The figure which shows an example of the X-ray scanning in the X-ray inspection of a breast. The figure which shows another example of a breast shaping tool. The figure which shows another example of a X-ray CT inspection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Breast X-ray CT examination system, 2,102 Breast X-ray CT examination apparatus, 4,104 Base, 10, 110 Arm, 12, 112 Imaging unit, 13,113 Drive motor mechanism, 14 Rotating shaft, 15a, 115a Sleeve (X-ray shield), 15b, 115b Arm, 16, 116 X-ray generator, 18, 118 Transmission X-ray detector, 19 Fixed shaft, 30, 40, 130 Breast shaping tool, 32, 132 Suction unit, 34 Suction tube, 36 vacuum suction source, 50 computers, 60 display, 120 beds, 122 openings, M breast.

Claims (17)

A breast X-ray CT examination apparatus,
Breast shaping means that supports at least part of the breast and can be shaped without pinching the breast;
X-ray generation means capable of emitting X-rays to the breast shaped by the breast shaping means;
Transmitted X-ray detection means opposed to the X-ray generation means;
An apparatus comprising:   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray generation unit is a unit capable of irradiating X-rays to a base of a breast not supported by the breast shaping unit.   The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the X-ray generation means is provided so as to be movable along a peripheral edge of the base of the breast shaped by the breast shaping means.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitted X-ray detection means is provided so as to be movable along a peripheral edge of the base of the breast shaped by the breast shaping means. The X-ray generation means is means capable of irradiating X-rays in a cone beam shape
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmitted X-ray detection means includes a detector capable of detecting X-rays irradiated in a cone beam shape by the transmitted X-ray generation means almost simultaneously. .   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray generation unit and the transmission X-ray detection unit are rotatably supported while maintaining an opposing state.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the breast shaping means is a means for shaping the vicinity of the top of the breast so as to be separated from the chest wall.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the breast shaping means is means for shaping a breast while supporting the vicinity of the top of the breast.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the breast shaping means is means for shaping by sucking and supporting at least a part of a breast.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising another breast shaping unit that abuts at least a part of the breast and shapes the vicinity of the breast base so as to stand from the chest wall.   11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the other breast shaping means comprises an arcuate body or an annular body that supports the breast along the circumference of the breast.   At least a part of the inside of the arcuate body or the annular body has a hollow part that can be filled with gas, and the arcuate body or the annular body has a breast portion corresponding to the amount of gas filled in the hollow part. The device according to claim 10 or 11, which exhibits a supporting ability.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for examining the breast in an examination posture of standing, sitting, lying down, prone or supine. A breast X-ray CT examination system,
Breast shaping means capable of shaping at least a part of the breast without pinching the breast, X-ray generation means capable of emitting X-rays to the breast shaped by the breast shaping means, and the X-ray An X-ray CT inspection apparatus comprising: a transmission X-ray detection unit opposed to the generation unit;
Image reconstruction means for performing reconstruction processing on the basis of transmission X-ray information detected by the transmission X-ray detection means of the X-ray CT examination apparatus and converting the information into X-transmission image information of the breast;
Image display means for displaying an image based on the X-ray transmission image information;
A system comprising: A method for controlling an X-ray CT inspection apparatus, comprising:
Controlling the X-ray generation means to generate X-rays by the X-ray generation means;
Controlling the transmitted X-ray detection means to detect X-rays transmitted through the breast shaped by the breast shaping means that supports at least a part of the breast and can be shaped without pinching the breast; and
Reconstructing based on the detected transmission X-ray information and converting it into X-ray transmission image information of the breast;
Displaying an image based on the X-ray transmission image information on an image display means;
A method comprising: A breast shaping tool for a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus,
Breast shaping means capable of shaping the breast in support of the vicinity of the top of the breast,
A breast shaping tool comprising: A breast shaping tool set for a breast X-ray CT examination apparatus,
First breast shaping means for shaping the breast in support of the vicinity of the top of the breast;
A second breast shaping means having an arcuate body or an annular body supporting the breast along the circumference of the breast, and shaping so that the vicinity of the breast base is erected from the chest wall;
A set.

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