JP2009207535A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which enables a subject to comfortably place an arm on an armrest. <P>SOLUTION: In MLO imaging, the subject W can put an arm U on the almost same plane as the armrest 34. Thus, since the subject W can put the arm U on a place without a level difference, the arm U can be put on the armrest 34 comfortably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  In the current medical device industry, various devices have been developed due to intense competition due to various social backgrounds. With the increasing competition and maturity of the medical device industry, there is a need to develop a device that is more comfortable for patients than ever before.

  As one of such devices, there is an imaging device that images a subject's breast for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer and the like.

As such an imaging apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging apparatus in which a recessed shape or a protruding shape that can be used as a handle or an armrest is formed on the side of an apparatus portion that supports a breast.
JP 2006-150077 A

  Here, since the armrest is a place where the subject's arm directly touches, it is preferable for the subject that the subject can comfortably place the arm on the armrest.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus in which a subject can comfortably place his arm on an armrest.

  An imaging apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an imaging apparatus for imaging 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, and on a side surface of the imaging table. And an armrest that enables the subject to place an arm, which is a part between the wrist and the shoulder, on substantially the same plane during MLO imaging.

  According to this configuration, the subject can place the arm, which is a part between the wrist and the shoulder, on substantially the same surface of the armrest during MLO imaging. Thereby, since the test subject can place his arm where there is no step, the arm can be comfortably placed on the armrest.

  The imaging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to the first aspect, wherein the armrest is in the region at least 200 mm from the chest wall surface in the vertical direction of the chest wall surface of the imaging table facing the subject. It is formed in the side surface of a stand.

  Although the movable region of the elbow changes depending on the physique of the subject, according to the configuration of claim 2, the arm can be comfortably placed on the armrest regardless of the physique of the subject.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the armrest is formed of a soft member that is softer than the imaging surface.

  According to this configuration, since the arm touches a soft member that is softer than the imaging surface on which the breast abuts, the arm can be placed more comfortably on the armrest.

  The imaging apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the mounting surface on which the arm of the armrest is mounted is the subject in the MLO imaging. It is characterized in that it is curved along the moving direction when it is lowered to the side of the fuselage from the state of being placed forward of the fuselage and placed on the armrest.

  According to this configuration, the arm can be moved smoothly when the arm is moved forward of the subject's torso and lowered to the side of the subject's torso, so that the arm can be lowered more comfortably from the armrest. Can do.

  Also, when the arm is lowered from the side of the subject's torso to the front of the subject's torso and placed on the armrest, the arm can be moved smoothly, so that the arm can be placed more comfortably on the armrest. it can.

  Since this invention was set as the said structure, a test subject can put an arm comfortably on an armrest.

  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 measurement 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). 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 surface 30 is formed on the surface of the imaging stand 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 surface 30 is flat.

  In addition, the holding unit 28 is formed with a pair of handles 40 that the subject W holds with their hands during CC imaging. The handle 40 is formed with a grip 42 that can be gripped by the subject W.

  The grip portion 42 has a substantially straight rod shape inclined obliquely by disposing the distal end side to the front side of the apparatus and the proximal end side to the rear side of the apparatus. For this reason, as the grip portion 42 approaches the imaging surface 20 from the base end, the grip portion 42 gradually approaches the subject W side facing the imaging device 10, that is, gradually approaches the chest wall surface 30.

  Further, 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.

  An armrest 34 is formed on the side surface of the imaging table 22 so that the arm W, which is a part between the wrist and the shoulder, can be placed on substantially the same plane during MLO imaging.

  In addition, when the arm U is placed on the armrest 34 at the time of MLO photographing, the hand is configured to grip the grip portion 42 or lightly attach to the grip portion 42.

  In addition, the armrest 34 according to the present embodiment is formed integrally with the photographing stand 22 so that the arm U can be placed on the same surface, and the arm U of the armrest 34 is a continuous surface with no step. A placement surface to be placed is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when there is a joint 40A on the placement surface on which the arm U of the armrest 34 is placed, the joint 40A has no step and the arm U can be placed on the same surface. Even if there is a step, it is sufficient if the step is such that there is no gap between the arm U and the placement surface when the arm U is placed on the placement surface.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting surface on which the arm U of the armrest 34 is mounted may be curved in an R shape or may be formed in a flat shape. Furthermore, the mounting surface on which the arm U of the armrest 34 is mounted may have a gradient.

  The armrest 34 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 the subject W to feel uncomfortable. A sponge-like foam material with a small amount is desirable. Specifically, foamed urethane or the like is used as a material for the armrest 34. In addition, in order to reduce friction even if the arm U of the subject W slides, an appropriate textured surface may be used. Moreover, it is desirable that the material of the armrest 34 is antibacterial from the viewpoint of the hygiene of the subject W. The material of the armrest 34 is preferably formed of a material that does not feel the mechanical coldness of the portion that contacts the arm U.

  Furthermore, the imaging device 10 having a radiation detector is generally required to have a light shielding performance for preventing exposure and a dustproof performance for preventing excessive noise on the image receiving surface. Further, the imaging apparatus 10 must prevent entry of various liquids such as alcohol disinfection, blood, and breast milk that may occur when the breast N is photographed.

  If carbon is used for the photographing surface 20 and the other exterior part of the photographing table 22 is a hard member, the joint portion of the member must be devised to satisfy the above performance.

  In this embodiment, since a soft member is used for the armrest 34, it is easy to process the seam 40A, and the light, dust, water, and the like from the seam 40A are prevented from entering, and the light shielding, dustproof, and waterproof performance is achieved. It can be achieved easily.

  Further, the armrest 34 moves in a moving direction when the arm U is moved forward of the body D of the subject W and placed on the armrest 34 from the state (shown in FIG. A mounting surface on which the arm U is mounted is curved.

  When subject W takes arm U forward and places it on armrest 34, arm U is viewed from the head side of subject W (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) when arm U is unloaded from armrest 34. In addition, it moves in an arc shape around the shoulder, and when viewed from the side of the subject W (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3), it is assumed that it moves in an arc shape around the shoulder. Therefore, the mounting surface on which the arm U is mounted is curved in an arc shape even when viewed from (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) in the imaging table 22 in the state of performing MLO imaging shown in FIG. Also when viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3, the shape is curved in an arc shape.

  Next, the range of the arrangement position of the grip part 42 preferable for the subject W will be described.

  4, 5, and 6 are schematic plan views for explaining the positional relationship between the arm U and the grip portion 42 whose comfortable position changes depending on the height during MLO imaging.

  In the following description, the state of the arm U that is uncomfortable for the subject W is defined as a state in which the arm U is folded or a state in which the arm U is stretched out. On the contrary, the state of the arm U that is comfortable for the subject W is , It is defined as a state of the arm U that is not uncomfortable and does not force excessive force on the arm U.

  4, 5, and 6, the position of the arm U comfortable for the subject W during positioning of the subject W at the time of MLO imaging is indicated by a one-dot chain line D, a solid line E, and a broken line F. These line types indicate the difference in height of the subject W, assuming that the alternate long and short dash line D is about 150 cm tall, the solid line E is about 165 cm tall, and the broken line F is about 180 cm tall.

  Here, the position of the shoulder of the subject W approximately coincides with the side wall corner 22A on the apparatus front side of the imaging table 22, and the position of the elbow of the subject W due to the height difference gradually depends on the height of the imaging subject W. It goes to the back side of 22 (that is, the side far from the chest wall surface 30). 4, 5, and 6, the range where the shoulder is located is indicated by the region G, the range where the elbow is located is indicated by the region J, and the range where the hand is located is indicated by the region K, respectively.

  4, 5, and 6, the circle L indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is a circle in which the radius is drawn with the length of the hand around the elbow in the subject W having a height of about 150 cm indicated by the alternate long and short dash line D. A circle M indicated by a solid line is a circle in which a radius is drawn with the length of the hand around the elbow in the subject W having a height of about 165 cm indicated by the solid line E. A circle N indicated by a broken line is a circle in which the radius is drawn with the length of the hand around the elbow in the subject W having a height of about 180 cm indicated by the broken line F.

  4 shows the grip portion 42 according to the present embodiment, and the intersection of the extended plane S of the photographing surface 20 and the inclined center line Q of the grip portion 42 from the side wall corner portion 22A on the apparatus front side of the photographing stand 22. The distance d to R is 350 mm.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the distance d from the side wall corner 22A on the apparatus front side of the imaging table 22 to the intersection R between the extended plane S of the imaging surface 20 and the inclined center line Q of the grip 42 is 300 mm. .
FIG. 6 shows a case where the distance d from the side wall corner 22A on the apparatus front side of the imaging table 22 to the intersection R between the extended plane S of the imaging surface 20 and the inclined center line Q of the grip 42 is 400 mm. Indicates.

  When the distance d is 400 mm, as can be seen from the alternate long and short dash line D, solid line E, and broken line F in FIG. Can be placed. Even when the distance d is 300 mm, as can be seen from the one-dot chain line D, the solid line E, and the broken line F in FIG. U can be placed on the armrest 34.

  In particular, when the distance d is 350 mm, as can be seen from the one-dot chain line D, the solid line E, and the broken line F in FIG. 4, the one-dot chain line D, the solid line E, and the broken line F that indicate the position from the elbow to the hand of the subject W are The arm U can be comfortably placed on the armrest 34 regardless of the height of the subject W, which is located along the straight inclined center line Q indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.

  On the other hand, if the distance d is less than 300 mm, the arm U is contracted and wrinkled, so that an engineer or the like who positions the body position of the subject W takes breasts from the subject's W side during MLO imaging. When removing the hand after pressing N, it becomes difficult to remove the hand. Further, the subject W may feel uncomfortable because the arm U is contracted to be in a state of wrinkling.

  When the distance d exceeds 400 mm, the portion between the elbow and the wrist of the subject W is less likely to be applied to the grip portion 42, and it is difficult to place the arm U on the armrest 34 and comfort is lost.

  Therefore, the distance d from the side wall corner 22A on the apparatus front side of the imaging table 22 to the intersection R between the extended plane S of the imaging surface 20 and the inclined center line Q of the grip 42 is within a range of 350 ± 50 mm. Is desirable.

  In addition, it is desirable that the imaging stand 22 has an area of the armrest 34 not only at the upper part of the side surface but also at the lower part of the side surface, and considering the movable range of the elbow of the subject W having a height of about 150 cm, the armrest As shown in FIG. 4, the region 34 is preferably formed from the chest wall surface 30 of the imaging table 22 facing the subject W to at least 200 mm in the vertical direction of the chest wall surface 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the handle 40 that the subject W holds with each hand during CC imaging and the armrest 34 on which the arm U is placed during MLO imaging are configured as separate members. One member may be configured to be used in common for the handle and the armrest.

  In this configuration, the handle 50 formed on the imaging table 22 is tapered toward the tip as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and as shown in FIG. 7B. It is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a side view. The handle 50 is formed with a grip portion 52 that allows the subject W to grip the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger through the hole 53.

  The grip portion 52 has a substantially straight rod shape inclined obliquely by disposing the distal end side to the apparatus rear side and the proximal end side to the apparatus front side. For this reason, as the grip portion 52 approaches the imaging surface 20 from the tip, the grip portion 52 gradually approaches the subject W facing the imaging device 10, that is, gradually approaches the chest wall surface 30.

  Further, the grip portion 52 which is a part of the handle 50 constitutes a part of the armrest, and a portion between the elbow and the wrist can be placed on the grip portion 52. That is, the grip portion 52 functions as an armrest during MLO shooting, and the grip portion 52 is used for both CC shooting and MLO shooting.

  The arrangement position of the grip portion 42 preferable for the subject W described above is the same in the grip portion 52.

(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 side surface of the imaging table 22.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the subject W can place the arm U on substantially the same surface of the armrest 34. Accordingly, the subject W can place the arm U where there is no step, so that the arm U can be comfortably placed on the armrest 34.

  Moreover, although the movable area | region of an elbow changes with the physique of the test subject W, according to the structure of this embodiment, the arm U can be comfortably placed on the armrest 34 regardless of the physique of the test subject W.

  The armrest 34 is formed of a soft member that is softer than the imaging surface 20 with which the breast N abuts. Since the arm U touches the soft member, the arm U can be placed on the armrest more comfortably.

  In addition, when the arm U is moved forward from the body D of the subject W and placed on the armrest 34 to the side of the body D of the subject W, the arm U can be moved smoothly, so that the arm U can be more comfortably moved. The armrest 34 can be lowered. Further, since the arm U can be moved smoothly when the arm U is placed to the front of the body D of the subject W from the state where the arm U is lowered to the side of the body D of the subject W and placed on the armrest 34, the arm U can be moved more comfortably. Can be placed on the armrest 34.

  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 schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between the arm and the grip portion whose comfortable position changes depending on the height during MLO imaging. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between the arm and the grip portion whose comfortable position changes depending on the height during MLO imaging. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between the arm and the grip part where the comfortable position changes depending on the height during MLO imaging. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration in which one member is used in common for the handle and the armrest, (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a side view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging device 20 Imaging surface 22 Imaging stand 30 Chest wall surface 34 Armrest N Breast U Arm W Subject

Claims (4)

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;
An armrest that is formed on a side surface of the imaging table and allows the subject to place an arm that is a part between the wrist and the shoulder on MLO imaging on substantially the same plane;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The said armrest is formed in the side surface of the said imaging stand in the area | region of at least 200 mm from the chest wall surface to the orthogonal | vertical direction of the chest wall surface of the said imaging table which the said test subject faces. Imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the armrest is formed of a soft member that is softer than the imaging surface.   The mounting surface on which the arm of the armrest is mounted is a moving direction when the arm is put out on the front side of the subject's torso and lowered to the side of the torso from the state of being placed on the armrest during MLO imaging. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is curved along the line.

Images