JP2009207534A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus suppressing the exposure of a subject to radiation more than needed. <P>SOLUTION: Since a sidewall 33 is inclined so as to spread to an outer side from an apparatus front part that the subject W faces to an apparatus rear part, when an arm U is mounted on the sidewall 33 in MLO imaging (imaging in mediolateral oblique direction), the subject W is turned to such a state that the elbow side is raised upward more than the shoulder. Thus, while the wide imaging area of the breast N of the subject W is secured, the arm U of the subject W is moved away from the imaging area. Thus, the arm U which is not an imaging object does not easily enter the imaging area and the exposure of the subject W to the radiation more than needed is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device used for medical treatment or the like.

  As an imaging apparatus used for medical treatment or the like, an imaging apparatus that images a subject's breast for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer or the like is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

In such an imaging apparatus, in recent years, an X-ray image receiving apparatus that directly acquires a digital image using an FPD (Flat Panel Detector) is used, and an image receiving surface area is more than a conventional X-ray image receiving apparatus using a cassette. The external size of the photography stand is getting closer.
JP 2006-150077 A

  Here, when performing MLO photographing (photographing in the inside / outside oblique direction), it is common that the arm is placed on the side wall of the photographing stand of the imaging apparatus. Therefore, when the image receiving surface area and the outer size of the imaging table are close to each other, an arm portion that is not an imaging target is applied to the X-ray image receiving area, and the subject may be exposed to radiation more than necessary.

  In view of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can prevent a subject from receiving radiation more than necessary.

  An imaging apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that images a breast of a subject whose upper body is standing, and is formed on an imaging table in which the breast comes into contact with an imaging surface, the imaging table, And a side wall projecting outward from the near side facing the subject.

  According to this configuration, when the arm is placed on the side wall in MLO imaging (photographing in the inside / outside oblique direction), compared to the configuration in which the back side does not protrude outward from the near side where the subject faces, The test subject is in a state where the elbow side is raised upward from the shoulder.

  Accordingly, a wide imaging area of the subject's breast can be secured, while the arm of the subject can be kept away from the imaging area. For this reason, the portion of the arm that is not the subject of imaging is less likely to be applied to the imaging region, and the subject can be prevented from receiving radiation more than necessary.

  The imaging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the first aspect, the side wall is inclined so as to spread outward from the near side facing the subject toward the far side. .

  According to this configuration, since the arm of the subject is placed on the side wall along the inclination of the side wall, the arm is firmly supported and maintained while the subject's arm is away from the imaging region. For this reason, the portion of the arm that is not the subject of imaging is less likely to be applied to the imaging region, and more effectively, the subject can be prevented from receiving more radiation than necessary.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein a corner portion formed by a chest wall formed on the front side of the imaging table, the side wall, and the imaging surface is opposed to the chest wall. The angle formed between the imaginary line extending perpendicularly and the side wall is in the range of 0 ° to 20 ° (not including 0 °).

  Here, when the angle formed by the imaginary line and the side wall exceeds 20 °, when taking an image of the breast with the arm placed on the side wall, the test subject takes a picture in which the elbow side rises upward from the shoulder. Comfort may be lost.

  On the other hand, in the configuration of claim 3 of the present invention, the angle between the imaginary line and the side wall is in the range of 0 ° to 20 ° (not including 0 °). You can shoot comfortably.

  By the way, in an imaging apparatus using an FPD (flat panel detector), in order to secure a breast imaging region, the region edge of the imaging region for imaging the breast, the chest wall and the side wall formed on the front side of the imaging table, and the imaging surface The distance between the corner formed by and the virtual line extending at right angles to the chest wall is preferably shorter.

  An imaging apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein an interval between a region end of an imaging region for imaging the breast and the virtual line is 35 mm or less. It is characterized by being.

  According to this configuration, when the arm is placed on the side wall and the breast is subjected to MLO imaging, it is possible to secure an imaging region in the lower armpit portion. Further, in the configuration of the present invention, since the subject is in a state where the elbow side is raised upward from the shoulder, even if the distance between the region end and the imaginary line is 35 mm or less, the portion of the arm that is not the subject of photographing is photographed. It is difficult to apply to the area, and the subject can be prevented from receiving more radiation than necessary.

  An imaging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the imaging surface and the side wall are formed with a ridge line, and the imaging surface and the chest wall are formed. The ridgeline and the ridgeline formed by the chest wall and the side wall are formed in an R shape within a radius of 3 to 6 mm.

  Here, when the radius of the ridgeline is less than 3 mm, the corner of the ridgeline hits the subject, and the subject may get pain or discomfort.

  On the other hand, if the radius of the ridge exceeds 6 mm, there is a possibility that the subject's armpit may float when the arm is placed on the side wall and the breast is subjected to MLO imaging, so that the imaging area of the armpit portion is secured. become unable.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of claim 5 of the present invention, since it is formed in an R shape within a radius of 3 to 6 mm, the imaging region of the armpit portion is reduced while reducing the pain and discomfort of the subject. Can be secured.

  Since this invention was set as the said structure, it can suppress that a test subject receives the radiation more than required.

  Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that photographs a breast N (see FIG. 3) of a subject W with radiation (for example, X-rays) in a standing state where the subject W (see FIG. 3) stands. For example, it is called mammography.

  In addition, the near side close to the subject W facing the imaging device 10 will be described as the device front side of the imaging device 10, and the far side away from the subject W facing the imaging device 10 will be described as the device rear side of the imaging device 10 (FIG. (See arrow 1).

  Further, the imaging device 10 may be a device that photographs the breast N of the subject W in a sitting position where the subject W is sitting on a chair or the like, and the subject W is at least in a state where the upper body of the subject W is standing. Any device can be used as long as the breast N is imaged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 includes a measuring unit 12 having a substantially C-shape (U-shape) in a side view provided on the front side of the device and a base unit 14 that supports the measuring unit 12 from the rear side of the device. And. The measuring unit 12 is provided with a rotating shaft 16 that extends to the rear side of the apparatus and is rotatably supported by the base unit 14, and the rotating shaft 16 is supported by the base unit 14. The measurement part 12 is supported by the base part 14 so that rotation is possible.

  The measuring unit 12 is provided with an imaging table 22 on which a planar imaging surface 20 that abuts on the breast N of the subject W in a standing position is formed, and a tube (not shown), from which the imaging surface A radiation irradiation unit 24 that irradiates the radiation for examination toward 20, a pressing plate 26 that presses the breast N against the imaging surface 20, and a holding unit 28 that holds the imaging table 22, the radiation irradiation unit 24, and the pressing plate 26. It is equipped with.

  The holding unit 28 holds the imaging table 22 and the radiation irradiation unit 24 so that the imaging surface 20 and the radiation irradiation unit 24 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the interval between the pressing plate 26 and the imaging surface 20 is variable. The pressing plate 26 is slidably held.

  The imaging surface 20 with which the breast N abuts is made of carbon, for example, from the viewpoint of radiolucency and strength. A radiation detector (not shown) that detects the radiation irradiated with radiation that has passed through the imaging surface 20 is disposed inside the imaging table 22.

  Here, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of at least performing both CC imaging (imaging in the head-to-tail direction) and MLO imaging (imaging in the oblique direction inside and outside) of the breast N. Yes.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment during CC imaging. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment during MLO imaging. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the posture of the subject W during MLO imaging of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at the time of CC imaging, the measurement unit 12 is positioned in a state where the radiation irradiation unit 24 is disposed above the imaging surface 20. Thereby, radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit 24 to the breast N from the head side to the foot side of the subject W in the standing position, and CC imaging (imaging in the head-tail direction) is performed.

  In addition, a chest wall 30 is formed on the surface of the imaging table 22 on the front side of the apparatus so that the chest portion below the breast N of the subject W abuts during CC imaging. The chest wall 30 is planar.

  In addition, the holding unit 28 is formed with a pair of handles 52 that the subject W holds with their hands during CC imaging.

  On the other hand, at the time of MLO photographing, as shown in FIG. 2, generally, the photographing stand 22 is rotated by 60 to 90 ° as compared with CC photographing, and as shown in FIG. Positioning is performed so that the axilla of the subject W is applied to the side wall corner 22A. Thereby, radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit 24 to the breast N from the axial center side of the body D of the subject W to the outside, and MLO imaging (imaging in the internal and external oblique directions) is performed.

  The side wall 33 of the imaging table 22 functions as an armrest that allows the subject W to place the arm U, which is a part between the elbow and the shoulder, on the same plane during MLO imaging.

  Further, the side wall 33 is a continuous surface with no steps so that the arm U can be mounted on the same surface, and a mounting surface on which the arm U is mounted is formed.

  Here, in the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the side wall 33 formed on the imaging table 22 is from the front of the apparatus (front side) where the subject W faces to the rear of the apparatus (back side). It is inclined to spread outward.

  An angle θ formed by an imaginary line L extending perpendicularly to the chest wall 30 from a corner 22A formed by the chest wall 30 and the side wall 33 formed on the front side of the imaging table 22 and the imaging surface 20, and the side wall 33 is It is desirable that the range is 0 ° to 20 ° (not including 0 °). That is, it is desirable that the angle formed by the chest wall 30 and the side wall 33 is in a range of 90 ° to 110 ° (not including 90 °). In the present embodiment, the angle θ is 15 °.

  The angle θ formed by the imaginary line L and the side wall 33 is an angle at the intersection (corner portion 22A) between the imaginary line L and the side wall 33.

  When the angle θ formed by the imaginary line L and the side wall 33 exceeds 20 °, when the arm U is placed on the side wall 33 and the breast N is photographed, the subject W rises too far above the shoulder on the elbow side. , There is a risk that comfort when shooting is lost.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, when MLO photographing was actually performed by a plurality of subjects W at an angle θ of 20 degrees, pain and discomfort were reduced for the subjects compared to a configuration in which the side wall 33 was not inclined. did it.

  By the way, in addition to calcification in the vicinity of the nipple as a part where breast cancer frequently occurs, there is a tumor of the armpit, and it is important that the latter part can be photographed particularly in MLO imaging.

  Therefore, in order to ensure the imaging region of the armpit in MLO imaging, the region end R1 of the imaging region R for imaging the breast N, the chest wall 30 and the side wall 33 formed on the front side of the imaging table 22, and the imaging surface 20 The shorter the distance A between the formed corner 22A and the virtual line L extending at right angles to the chest wall 30, the better, and it is desirable that the distance A be at least 35 mm.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, a ridge line 50 formed by the imaging surface 20 and the side wall 33, a ridge line 53 formed by the imaging surface 20 and the chest wall 30, and a ridge line 54 formed by the chest wall 30 and the side wall 33 are , Formed in an R shape. The ridgeline 50, the ridgeline 53, and the ridgeline 54 formed in the R shape are desirably formed with a radius of 3 to 6 mm.

  If the radius of the ridge line 50, the ridge line 53, and the ridge line 54 is less than 3 mm, when the subject W contacts the ridge line 50, the ridge line 53, and the ridge line 54, the corners of the ridge line 50, the ridge line 53, and the ridge line 54 hit the subject W. The subject W may get pain and discomfort.

  On the other hand, if the radii of the ridge line 50, the ridge line 53, and the ridge line 54 exceed 6 mm, the arm W may be placed on the side wall 33 and the breast N may be subjected to MLO imaging, which may cause the subject W to float. Yes, it is impossible to secure the shooting area under the armpit.

  In this embodiment, when MLO imaging was performed by a plurality of subjects W when the radius of the ridgeline 50, the ridgeline 53, and the ridgeline 54 was 3 mm and when the radius was 6 mm, There was no discomfort, and no floating occurred in subject W's armpit.

  The side wall 33 is formed of a soft member that is softer than the imaging surface 20. As this soft member, if there is a feeling of pulling when the skin is brought into contact with the skin like a skin material, it will cause an uncomfortable feeling to the subject W. It is desirable that the foam material is a little sponge-like. Specifically, foamed urethane or the like is used as the material of the side wall 33.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the material of the side wall 33 is antibacterial from the viewpoint of the hygiene of the subject W. Moreover, it is desirable that the material of the side wall 33 is formed of a material that does not feel the mechanical coldness of the portion in contact with the arm U.

(Operation of this embodiment)
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  In the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, during MLO imaging, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging platform 22 is rotated by 60 to 90 ° compared to CC imaging. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the subject W is positioned so that the armpit of the subject W is applied to the side wall corner 22 </ b> A on the apparatus front side of the imaging table 22, and the subject W holds the arm U that is a part between the wrist and the shoulder. Then, it is placed on the armrest 34 formed on the photographing table 22. At this time, a portion between the shoulder and the elbow is placed on the side wall 33 of the imaging table 22.

  In the present embodiment, since the side wall 33 is inclined so as to spread outward from the front of the apparatus facing the subject W toward the rear of the apparatus, the subject W has a shoulder as compared with the configuration in which the side wall 33 is not inclined. It will be in the state where the elbow side went up rather than.

  Thereby, while wide imaging | photography area | region of the test subject's breast N can be ensured, the test subject's W arm U can be kept away from an imaging | photography area | region. For this reason, it is difficult for the arm U that is not an imaging target to be applied to the imaging area, and the subject W can be prevented from receiving radiation more than necessary. Moreover, it is suppressed that the extra site | part of the test subject W is reflected.

  Further, even when the armpit is abutted against the corner portion 22A on the side wall 33 side, the subject W is in a relaxed state in which the elbow side is lifted upward from the shoulder, so that it is difficult for force to enter and the subject W is in pain. Reduce the feeling. For this reason, the subject W can photograph the breast N comfortably.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the ridgeline 50, the ridgeline 53, and the ridgeline 54 are formed in an R shape within a radius of 3 to 6 mm, while reducing pain and discomfort of the subject W, An imaging area can be secured.

(Modification of the shape of the side wall 33)
Here, the side wall 33 of the photographic stand 22 may have a shape in which the rear side of the apparatus projects outward from the front side of the apparatus, and the shape of the side wall 33 can be arbitrarily deformed. 5 and 6 are views showing a first modification of the side wall 33 of the imaging table 22. FIG. 7 and 8 are views showing a second modification of the side wall 33 of the imaging table 22. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side wall 43 according to the first modification has a side surface 43 </ b> B on the apparatus rear side of the side wall 43 projecting outward from a side surface 43 </ b> A on the apparatus front side of the side wall 43. A step 43C is formed between the side surface 43A on the front side and the side surface 43B on the rear side of the apparatus.

  In this configuration, the subject W places the shoulder side of the arm U on the side surface 43A on the front side of the device, while the elbow side of the arm U is on the side surface 43B on the rear side of the device that projects outward from the side surface 43A on the front side of the device. Since it is placed, similarly to the case of the side wall 33 described above, the subject W is in a state where the elbow side is raised upward from the shoulder.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the side wall 63 according to the second modification has a side surface 63B on the apparatus rear side of the side wall 63 that protrudes outward from the side surface 63A on the apparatus front side of the side wall 63. Between the side surface 63A on the front side and the side surface 63B on the rear side of the apparatus, an inclined surface 63C that is inclined so as to spread outward from the front side (front side) of the apparatus toward the rear side (back side) of the apparatus is formed.

  In this configuration, the subject W places the shoulder side of the arm U on the side surface 63A on the front side of the device, while the elbow side of the arm U is on the side surface 63B on the rear side of the device that projects outward from the side surface 63A on the front side of the device. Since it is placed, similarly to the case of the side wall 33 described above, the subject W is in a state where the elbow side is raised upward from the shoulder. In addition, since there is no corner between the side surface 63A on the front side of the apparatus and the side surface 63B on the rear side of the apparatus, and the change of the side wall 63 is gentle due to the inclined surface 63C, the pain and discomfort of the subject W can be reduced and comfortable. The arm U can be placed on the side wall 63.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, and is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus during CC imaging. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment during MLO imaging. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the posture of the subject during MLO imaging of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the imaging stand of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the imaging surface side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the first modification. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the imaging stand of the imaging apparatus according to the first modification when viewed from the imaging surface side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a second modification. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the imaging stand of the imaging apparatus according to the second modification as viewed from the imaging surface side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging device 20 Imaging surface 22 Imaging stand 22A Side wall corner 30 Chest wall 33 Side wall 50 Ridge line 53 Ridge line 54 Ridge line A Space L Virtual line N Breast R Imaging area R1 Area edge U Arm W Subject θ Angle

Claims (5)

An imaging device for imaging a breast of a subject whose at least upper body is standing,
An imaging table in which the breast comes into contact with the imaging surface;
A side wall that is formed on the imaging table and protrudes outward from the near side facing the subject, and
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is inclined so as to spread outward from the near side facing the subject toward the back side.   An angle formed by an imaginary line extending perpendicularly to the chest wall from a corner formed by the chest wall, the side wall, and the imaging surface formed on the near side of the imaging table, and the side wall is 0 °. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, which is in a range of ˜20 ° (not including 0 °).   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an interval between a region end of an imaging region for imaging the breast and the virtual line is 35 mm or less.   A ridge line formed by the imaging surface and the side wall, a ridge line formed by the imaging surface and the chest wall, and a ridge line formed by the chest wall and the side wall are formed in an R shape within a radius of 3 to 6 mm. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured.

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