JP2008000508A - Mammography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mammography apparatus by which right and left mammae are imaged without mistaking both sides. <P>SOLUTION: The mammography apparatus is equipped with an X-ray imaging part 2 to take an X-ray image of a mamma and sensors 3a, 3b positioned on both right and left sides of the X-ray imaging part 2 to detect the body of a subject A for whom X-ray imaging is applied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus, and more particularly to a mammography apparatus that can prevent left and right misidentification of a photographed breast.

  As described in Patent Document 1, a mammography apparatus is known as a breast cancer screening apparatus.

  The mammography apparatus is an apparatus that images a breast of a patient using X-rays, and an X-ray generation apparatus and an X-ray detection apparatus are arranged to face each other. A compression plate is arranged between the two. At the time of radiography, the breast is pressed between the X-ray detection device and the compression plate, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray generation device, and X-rays transmitted through the breast are detected by the X-ray detection device.

Further, at the time of photographing, the right breast and the left breast are individually photographed in accordance with instructions from an operator who operates the mammography apparatus.
JP 2002-119502 A

  However, in the mammography apparatus described above, the following points are not considered.

  A situation where the left breast is taken where the right breast should be taken, or a right breast is taken where the left breast should be taken, due to the operator's misunderstanding or the patient's misperception May occur.

  When such an erroneous imaging is performed, for example, when there is an abnormality in the right breast, it is judged that there is an abnormality in the left breast, and when the left breast is examined in the secondary examination, it is determined that there is no abnormality. The result is a delay in finding the right breast abnormality.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mammography apparatus capable of taking an image without making a mistake in the right and left sides of the breast.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, in the mammography apparatus, an X-ray imaging unit that performs X-ray imaging of a breast, and a human body that is positioned on both the left and right sides of the X-ray imaging unit and that undergoes X-ray imaging are detected. And a sensor.

  According to the present invention, when receiving an X-ray image of a breast, it is possible to prevent an error on the left and right of the breast to be X-rayed by detecting the human body of the person receiving the X-ray image with a sensor.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a support column 1, an X-ray imaging unit 2 attached to the support column 1, and the support column 1. And laser sensors 3a and 3b which are sensors positioned on both the left and right sides of the X-ray imaging unit 2.

  The X-ray imaging unit 2 includes an X-ray generator 4 that emits X-rays, an X-ray detector 5 that detects X-rays, and a compression plate 6. The X-ray generator 4 and the X-ray detector 5 are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction, and the compression plate 6 is positioned between the X-ray generator 4 and the X-ray detector 5. The compression plate 6 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the X-ray detection device 5. The compression plate 6 and the X-ray detection device 5 are pressed between the breasts of the examinee A and are suitable for X-ray imaging. Secure the state. The compression plate 6 is made of a material that can transmit X-rays, for example, transparent plastics.

  The laser sensors 3 a and 3 b are arranged at substantially the same height as the X-ray detection device 5, one laser sensor 3 a is arranged on the left side of the X-ray imaging unit 2, and the other laser sensor 3 b is the X-ray imaging unit 2. Located on the right side. Each of the laser sensors 3a and 3b includes a light emitting portion of the laser and a light receiving portion that receives the laser beam reflected and returned to the reflection portion, and measures the time from when the light is emitted until it is received, thereby measuring the laser sensors 3a and 3b. This is a sensor of a type that measures the distance from the reflection part to the reflection part.

  When the examiner A is located at a position where the examinee A photographs the right breast, the laser sensor 3a can detect the human body of the examinee A, and the laser sensor 3b is provided with the examinee A. In the case where the human body of A cannot be detected (refer to FIG. 2A) and the examinee A is located at a position where the left breast is imaged, the laser sensor 3b can detect the human body of the examinee A and laser The position where the sensor 3a cannot detect the human body of the examinee A (see FIG. 2B).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of the mammography apparatus. The mammography device has an X-ray imaging unit 2, laser sensors 3a and 3b, and an input for the operator to input imaging conditions such as the name of the examinee, whether the breast to be imaged is on the left side or the right side, and other necessary items. Unit 7 and a monitor 8 which is a display unit on which detection results are displayed by the input results from the input unit 7 and the laser sensors 3a and 3b. The X-ray imaging unit 2, the laser sensors 3 a and 3 b, the input unit 7, and the monitor 8 are connected to the control unit 9, and breast imaging is performed under the control of the control unit 9.

  A breast imaging operation by the mammography apparatus will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the mammography apparatus is powered on, it is determined whether or not an imaging condition is input by the operator (S1). The imaging conditions to be entered include the name of the patient, whether the breast to be imaged is on the left side or the right side, etc. After the operator inputs the imaging conditions, the imaging conditions are input by turning on a button that indicates completion of input. Is done.

  After the photographing condition is input (YES in S1), it is determined whether or not the photographing start button is turned on (S2).

  When the imaging start button is turned on (YES in S2), measurement by the laser sensors 3a and 3b is performed, and it is determined based on the measurement result whether the breast to be imaged is on the left side or the right side. (S3). The measurement by the laser sensors 3a and 3b is performed by emitting the laser, receiving the reflected laser beam, and measuring the time from light emission to light reception. Then, by comparing the time from light emission to light reception in the two riser sensors 3a and 3b, it is determined whether the breast to be measured is the left side or the right side. For example, when imaging the right breast (see FIG. 2A), the laser emitted from the left laser sensor 3a strikes the left side of the human body of the examinee A and returns to the right side laser. The laser emitted from the sensor 3b does not hit the human body of the examinee A but hits the wall of the room and reflects back. For this reason, the time from light emission to light reception is shorter in the left laser sensor 3a. From this result, it is determined that the breast to be imaged is on the right side. This determination result is input to the control unit 9 as a signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged is the left side or the right side.

  After the determination by the measurement by the laser sensors 3a and 3b is completed, with respect to the left and right of the breast to be imaged, a signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged is the left side or the right side inputted by the operator, and the laser sensors 3a and 3b. It is determined whether or not the signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged is the left side or the right side obtained on the basis of the detection result of is coincident (S4). Here, a signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged input from the input unit 7 by the operator is left or right, and the breast to be imaged obtained based on the detection results by the laser sensors 3a and 3b. Comparison means for comparing the signal indicating whether or not is performed.

  When it is determined that the signals input by the operator and the signals based on the measurement results of the laser sensors 3a and 3b match with respect to the left and right of the breast to be photographed (YES in S4), the monitor 8 matches. For example, “Matched”, “OK”, etc. are displayed (S5). Here, a coincidence notifying unit for notifying that the comparison has been made when the comparison results by the comparison unit coincide is executed.

  After the display in step S5, the operator determines whether or not the X-ray emission button is turned on (S6). If the X-ray emission button is turned on (YES in S6), X-ray generation occurs. X-rays are emitted from the apparatus 4 (S7), and breast imaging is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the signal input by the operator and the signal based on the measurement results of the laser sensors 3a and 3b do not match with respect to the left and right of the breast to be imaged (NO in S4), A display indicating that it does not match the monitor 8, for example, “does not match” or “NG” is displayed (S8). Here, the mismatch notifying means for notifying that the comparison results by the comparison means do not match is executed.

  After the display of inconsistency shown in step S8 is performed, the process automatically returns to step S1 to enter a standby state in preparation for the input of imaging conditions by the operator again.

  In such a configuration, according to the mammography apparatus, the right breast is sandwiched between the X-ray detection apparatus 5 and the compression plate 6 when the imaging breast is input to the input unit 7 when the imaging breast is on the left side. If the left breast is sandwiched between the X-ray detection device 5 and the compression plate 6 when the breast to be imaged is input to the input unit 7 when it is on the right side, In step S4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that they do not coincide with each other, and the camera enters a standby state in preparation for inputting another imaging condition. As a result, it is possible to prevent mistaking the image of the right and left breasts to be photographed.

  Therefore, because the right and left breasts were mistakenly photographed, for example, if there is an abnormality in the right breast, the left breast is examined for abnormality, and the left breast is examined in the secondary examination to determine that there is no abnormality. Thus, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation in which discovery of an abnormality in the right breast is delayed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the laser sensors 3a and 3b are used as the sensors has been described as an example. However, the sensors are not limited to the laser sensors 3a and 3b. For example, a photoelectric sensor using natural light that is not a laser, an ultrasonic sensor using ultrasonic waves, an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays generated by a human body, or the like can be used.

  Further, the display of the determination result in step S4 on the monitor 8 is not limited to the display indicating that they match or the display indicating that they do not match. For example, the input result from the input unit 7 and the determination result by the laser sensors 3a and 3b may be displayed side by side. In this case, when the two displays are “left, left” or “right, right”, the shooting may be continued as they are, and the two displays are “left, right” or “right, left”. In such a case, re-input the shooting conditions.

(Second Embodiment)
A mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as the component demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment, a plurality of laser sensors 3 a and 3 b positioned on both the left and right sides of the X-ray imaging unit 2 are provided in the left and right direction.

  In such a configuration, according to the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment, whether the breast to be photographed is on the left side or the right side even when the width of the body of the examinee A is different. Can be judged.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the case of the examinee A having a small lateral width, when photographing the right breast, the human body of the examinee A is detected by at least one of the left laser sensors 3a. The breast to be photographed can be determined to be on the right side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the case of the examinee A having a large width dimension, when the right and left laser sensors 3a and 3b detect the human body of the examinee A when photographing the right breast. However, since the number of laser sensors 3a, 3b to be detected is larger than the number of laser sensors 3a on the right side, the number of laser sensors 3a on the left side can be determined to be the right side.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall structure of a mammography apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the installation position of the laser sensor in a mammography apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the basic structure of a mammography apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography operation | movement of the breast by a mammography apparatus. It is a top view which shows the installation position of the laser sensor in the mammography apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 X-ray imaging unit 3a, 3b Sensor, laser sensor 7 Input unit 8 Display unit A Patient

Claims (5)

An X-ray imaging unit for X-ray imaging of the breast;
Sensors that are positioned on both the left and right sides of the X-ray imaging unit and that detect the human body of the examinee receiving X-ray imaging,
A mammography apparatus comprising:   The mammography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a laser sensor.   The mammography apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the laser sensors are provided in the left-right direction on both sides of the X-ray imaging unit. An input unit for an operator to input whether the imaging target is the left breast or the right breast;
A signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged input from the input unit is left or right, and a signal indicating whether the breast to be imaged obtained based on a detection result by the laser sensor is left or right A comparison means for comparing
A mismatch notification means for notifying that there is a mismatch when the comparison results by the comparison means do not match,
The mammography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The mammography apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a display unit that displays an image of the comparison result obtained by the notification unit.

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