JP2009285345A - Mammography apparatus and photographing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mammography apparatus for easily and highly precisely obtaining a mamma positioning state including a compression pressure distribution, and to provide a photographing system using the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a pressing plate 38 is displaced so as to pressurize the mamma 88 against a photographing table 36, the compression pressure is detected by a pressure sensor 90 arranged on the photographing table 36, and the compression pressure distribution is displayed by a display part 40. A technician positions the mamma 88 so as to allow the displayed compression pressure distribution to be the desired distribution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus that acquires radiation image information by detecting radiation transmitted through a breast, and an imaging system using the same.

  A mammography device is a device for irradiating a breast with radiation to acquire radiographic image information and detecting the presence or absence of a breast mass or calcification, and is particularly effective as a device for detecting breast cancer.

  The mammography apparatus includes an imaging table in which a radiation detector that detects radiation that has passed through the breast is housed, and a compression plate that is disposed opposite the imaging table and presses the breast against the imaging table. Radiation image information of the breast is acquired by irradiating the breast with the output radiation through the compression plate and detecting the radiation transmitted through the breast with the radiation detector.

  In this case, compressing the breast with a compression plate makes the breast thickness uniform so that the amount of transmitted radiation is substantially constant regardless of the position, and also disperses the tissue in the vicinity of the mammary gland where a tumor or the like is likely to occur. This is because an image suitable for interpretation is acquired.

  By the way, in mammography, so-called mirror interpretation is performed in which radiographic image information of both the right and left breasts in the same subject is acquired and compared. In this case, it is desirable that the acquired image is symmetrical in order to improve the accuracy of interpretation diagnosis. In addition, when comparing a past image of the same breast of the same subject with the current image, the positioning of the past image and the positioning of the image to be taken from now on need to be the same. In order to realize such positioning, skilled advanced technology is required.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Literature 1 reads a past image, projects it on a transparent compression plate, and positions the current breast visually recognized through the compression plate with reference to the past image. Is disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique in which a contact area of a breast with respect to an imaging table is detected by a sensor, and the contact area and a past image are displayed on a monitor in an overlapping manner.

  However, in this prior art, it is only possible to perform positioning after confirming the shape, and it is not possible to perform positioning considering the compression pressure. For this reason, the compressed state may differ between the past image and the current image, which may cause a situation in which the images cannot be matched with high accuracy.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a conventional technique in which the compression plate is configured to be freely tiltable in accordance with the outer shape of the breast in order to make the compression pressure applied to the breast by the compression plate substantially uniform.

  However, even in the case of this conventional technique, there is no compensation that the compression pressure is the same between the past image and the current image, and there is a possibility that high-precision interpretation diagnosis cannot be performed by comparing the images.

JP 2007-236805 A US Pat. No. 5,506,877

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a mammography apparatus capable of easily and accurately grasping a breast positioning state including a compression pressure distribution and an imaging system using the same. Objective.

  Further, the present invention provides a mammography apparatus capable of acquiring a breast image taken in the past and a breast image to be taken in a state in which the positioning state including the compression pressure distribution coincides with high accuracy, and the same An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing system using the camera.

The present invention provides a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through a breast and obtains radiation image information of the breast;
An imaging table that houses the radiation detector and holds the breast;
It is configured to be displaceable toward the imaging table, and a compression plate that compresses the breast;
A radiation source for outputting the radiation applied to the breast via the compression plate;
A compression pressure distribution detecting means for detecting a compression pressure distribution of the breast against the imaging table by the compression plate;
And determining the positioning state of the breast based on the detected compression pressure distribution.

The present invention also provides a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the breast and acquires radiation image information of the breast, an imaging table that houses the radiation detector and holds the breast, and the imaging table A pressure plate that compresses the breast, a radiation source that outputs the radiation applied to the breast through the compression plate, and the imaging table of the breast by the compression plate A mammography apparatus having compression pressure distribution detection means for detecting a compression pressure distribution against
A display device for displaying the detected pressure distribution, and
It is characterized by providing.

  In the mammography apparatus of the present invention and the imaging system using the same, the positioning state of the breast positioned between the imaging table and the compression plate can be easily and accurately grasped. Thereby, it is possible to improve the reliability of interpretation diagnosis of the acquired radiation image information.

  In addition, breast images taken in the past and breast images to be taken in the future can be acquired in a state where the positioning state including the compression pressure distribution matches with high accuracy. Improves the reliability of interpretation diagnosis.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an imaging system 10 of the present embodiment. The imaging system 10 includes a medical information system 12 (HIS: Hospital Information System) that manages medical office processing in a hospital, and a radiology information system 14 that manages imaging processing of radiographic images in the radiology department under the management of the HIS 12. (RIS: Radiology Information System), a viewer 16 for performing diagnostic interpretation by a doctor, a console 18 that is installed in a processing room adjacent to a radiology room, and that is controlled by the console 18 A mammography device 20 and a storage device 22 for storing radiographic image information taken by the mammography device 20, which are connected to each other by a hospital network 24. To the hospital network 24, other consoles, imaging devices, and the like can be connected as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the mammography apparatus 20. The mammography apparatus 20 is an apparatus that captures radiation image information of the breast (described later) of the subject 25, and includes a base 26 that is installed in a standing state and a pivot 28 that is disposed at a substantially central portion of the base 26. An arm member 30 fixed to the radiation source, a radiation source (described later) for irradiating the breast of the subject 25 with radiation, a radiation source storage unit 34 fixed to one end of the arm member 30, and a radiation transmitted through the breast. A radiation detector (described later) that detects and acquires radiation image information is housed, and an imaging table 36 fixed to the other end of the arm member 30 and a displacement toward the imaging table 36 are used to compress the breast. And a compression plate 38.

  The arm member 30 to which the radiation source storage unit 34 and the imaging stand 36 are fixed is configured to be adjustable in the imaging direction with respect to the breast of the subject 25 by rotating in the direction of arrow A about the rotation axis 28. The compression plate 38 is disposed between the radiation source storage unit 34 and the imaging stand 36 in a state of being connected to the arm member 30 and is configured to be displaceable in the arrow B direction.

  Further, on the base 26, the imaging part of the subject 25 detected by the mammography device 20, imaging information such as the imaging direction, ID information of the subject 25, and the like are displayed, and the positioning state of the breast with respect to the mammography device 20 is grasped. A display unit 40 for displaying information for the purpose is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the radiation detector 50 housed in the imaging stand 36 of the mammography apparatus 20.

  In the radiation detector 50, a photoelectric conversion layer 52 made of a substance such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) that senses radiation and generates a charge is arranged on an array of thin film transistors (TFTs) 54 in a matrix form. After the generated charge is stored in the storage capacitor 56, the TFTs 54 are sequentially turned on for each row, and the charge is read out as an image signal. In FIG. 3, only the connection relationship between one pixel 58 including the photoelectric conversion layer 52 and the storage capacitor 56 and one TFT 54 is shown, and the configuration of the other pixels 58 is omitted. Amorphous selenium must be used within a predetermined temperature range because its structure changes and its function decreases at high temperatures. Therefore, it is preferable to provide means for cooling the radiation detector 50 in the imaging table 36.

  A gate line 60 extending in parallel with the row direction and a signal line 62 extending in parallel with the column direction are connected to the TFT 54 connected to each pixel 58. Each gate line 60 is connected to a line scanning drive unit 64, and each signal line 62 is connected to a multiplexer 66 constituting a reading circuit.

  Control signals Von and Voff for controlling on / off of the TFTs 54 arranged in the row direction are supplied from the line scanning drive unit 64 to the gate line 60. In this case, the line scan driving unit 64 includes a plurality of switches SW1 for switching the gate lines 60 and an address decoder 68 for outputting a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW1. An address signal is supplied from the detector control unit 80 to the address decoder 68.

  In addition, the charge held in the storage capacitor 56 of each pixel 58 flows out to the signal line 62 through the TFTs 54 arranged in the column direction. This charge is amplified by the amplifier 72. A multiplexer 66 is connected to the amplifier 72 via a sample and hold circuit 74. The multiplexer 66 includes a plurality of switches SW2 for switching the signal line 62 and an address decoder 76 for outputting a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW2. An address signal is supplied from the detector control unit 80 to the address decoder 76. An A / D converter 78 is connected to the multiplexer 66, and radiation image information converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 78 is supplied to the detector control unit 80. The detector control unit 80 supplies the acquired radiation image information to the console 18 via the in-hospital network 24.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the console 18 and the mammography apparatus 20.

  The mammography apparatus 20 includes a radiation source 82 stored in the radiation source storage unit 34, a radiation source control unit 84 that controls the radiation source 82, a compression plate drive control unit 86 that displaces the compression plate 38 in the arrow B direction, A number of pressure sensors 90 that detect compression pressure by a breast 88 that is two-dimensionally arranged along the imaging surface of the imaging table 36 (FIG. 5) and that is pressed against the imaging table 36 by the compression plate 38, and the pressure sensor 90. While controlling, the pressure sensor control part 92 which processes the compression pressure detected by the pressure sensor 90, and transmits to the console 18 and the display part 40, the radiation detector 50, and the radiation detector 50, it controls radiation. And a detector control unit 80 that transmits the radiation image information detected by the detector 50 to the console 18 and the display unit 40.

  The pressure sensor 90 is preferably formed of a material that completely transmits radiation. However, when the pressure sensor 90 is formed of a material that absorbs a part of the radiation, the pressure sensor 90 is acquired by the console 18 as described below. The obtained radiation image information is corrected according to the radiation transmittance of the pressure sensor 90.

  The console 18 is set by a doctor using the operation unit 94 for performing necessary operations by the engineer, the control unit 96 for controlling the console 18 and the mammography apparatus 20, and the RIS 14, or set by the engineer as necessary. An imaging condition memory 98 for storing the acquired imaging conditions, an image memory 100 for storing radiation image information acquired from the mammography apparatus 20 and the storage apparatus 22, and a compression pressure distribution information acquired from the mammography apparatus 20 and the storage apparatus 22 are stored. The compression pressure memory 102, the correction data memory 104 for storing correction data corresponding to the radiation transmittance of the pressure sensor 90 of the mammography apparatus 20, the compression pressure distribution information is processed, and radiation image information is used using the correction data. Information processing unit 106 that processes and the processed compression And a display unit 108 for displaying the force distribution information and the radiographic image information.

  The imaging conditions are conditions such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time that define the dose of radiation irradiated to the breast 88. These imaging conditions are set in the radiation source control unit 84 of the mammography apparatus 20. .

  The photographing system 10 and the mammography apparatus 20 of the present embodiment are basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  First, the doctor uses the RIS 14 to set ID information of the subject 25, an imaging method for the breast 88, and imaging conditions. The ID information is information for specifying the subject 25 such as the name and age of the subject 25. The imaging method includes head-to-tail (CC) imaging in which radiation is applied from the top of the breast 88, lateral direction (ML) imaging in which radiation is applied from the side, and radiation is applied from an oblique direction. There are inner and outer oblique (MLO) imaging in which imaging is performed, and a doctor designates these imaging methods. The imaging conditions are a tube voltage, a tube current, a radiation irradiation time set for the radiation source 82, and the radiation exposure dose to the breast 88 is determined by the imaging conditions.

  The set ID information, imaging method, and imaging conditions are transmitted to the console 18 via the hospital network 24. The control unit 96 of the console 18 displays the transmitted information on the display unit 108 and temporarily stores the shooting conditions in the shooting condition memory 98. An engineer who operates the mammography apparatus 20 can confirm information displayed on the display unit 108 and can add or change information using the operation unit 94 as necessary. The determined imaging conditions are transmitted from the console 18 to the mammography apparatus 20 via the in-hospital network 24 and set in the radiation source control unit 84.

  After the shooting conditions are set, shooting using the mammography apparatus 20 is started. Therefore, the engineer turns the arm member 30 of the mammography apparatus 20 around the turning shaft 28 in accordance with the designated photographing method to set a desired photographing state. FIG. 1 shows a case where head-to-tail (CC) imaging is performed. In addition, by transmitting the information regarding the imaging method from the console 18 to the display unit 40 of the mammography apparatus 20 and displaying it, the mammography apparatus 20 can be adjusted while confirming the display contents.

  Next, the breast 88 of the subject 25 is positioned with respect to the mammography apparatus 20. That is, after the breast 88 is placed on the imaging table 36, the compression plate 38 is gradually approached toward the imaging table 36, thereby positioning the breast 88 at a predetermined position between the imaging table 36 and the compression plate 38. .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of pressure sensors 90 are two-dimensionally arranged on the imaging surface of the imaging table 36, and the breast 88 is compressed by the compression plate 38 and pressed against the imaging table 36. Each pressure sensor 90 detects the compression pressure. The pressure sensor control unit 92 processes the data of the detected compression pressure, and displays the compression pressure distribution on the imaging table 36 on the display unit 40 of the mammography apparatus 20, for example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. Let

  As shown in FIG. 6, the current compression pressure distribution can be displayed as an isobaric line 110 in which the same pressure is connected by a line, and the pressure values can be displayed as P1, P2, and P3. Further, the range of distribution may be displayed according to color shading, saturation, and hue according to the pressure value.

  The engineer positions the breast 88 between the imaging table 36 and the compression plate 38 while confirming the compression pressure distribution by the isobar 110 displayed on the display unit 40. Data relating to the compression pressure distribution at the time of proper positioning is transmitted to the console 18 via the in-hospital network 24 and stored in the compression pressure memory 102 via the information processing unit 106. The compression pressure distribution may be displayed on the display unit 108 of the console 18 for confirmation.

  Further, by reading out the compression pressure distribution acquired at the time of past positioning from the compression pressure memory 102 and displaying it over the current compression pressure distribution, even the unskilled engineer can easily realize the same positioning state. it can.

  The isobaric line 112 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed based on the data related to the past compression pressure distribution stored in the compression pressure memory 102, and the engineer makes the breast 88 so that these isobaric lines 110 and 112 coincide with each other. By adjusting the position of the left and right breasts, for example, when photographing the left and right breasts 88, positioning of the breasts 88 having the same compression pressure distribution on the right and left sides can be easily realized. It should be noted that the compression pressure distributions displayed in an overlapping manner may be past and present compression pressure distributions for the same breast 88.

  Further, in the image of the display unit 40 or 108 shown in FIG. 6, the radiation image information of the breast 88 acquired in the past imaging is acquired from the image memory 100, and its outer shape 114 is displayed together with the isobaric lines 110 and 112. The positioning state can be grasped more easily.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressure sensor 90 may be two-dimensionally arranged on the compression surface of the compression plate 38 to obtain the compression pressure distribution. In the mammography apparatus 20 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the projector 118 controlled by the projector controller 116 is disposed in the radiation source storage unit 34 that stores the radiation source 82. As shown in FIG. 9, an image of the isobaric line 110 representing the compression pressure distribution detected in the current positioning is projected on the compression plate 38, and the isobaric line 112 representing the compression pressure distribution of the breast 88 acquired in the past positioning. In addition, the image of the outer shape 114 of the breast 88 can be projected on the compression plate 38 to grasp the positioning state of the breast 88. If the compression plate 38 is a translucent body, the current outer shape 120 of the breast 88 can be simultaneously confirmed via the compression plate 38.

  As described above, after the breast 88 is positioned in a desired state, radiographic image capturing is started.

  Therefore, the radiation source control unit 84 controls the radiation source 82 according to the tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time, which are imaging conditions supplied from the console 18, and irradiates the breast 88 with the radiation via the compression plate 38. The radiation that has passed through the breast 88 is applied to the radiation detector 50, and radiation image information is detected.

  The photoelectric conversion layer 52 of each pixel 58 constituting the radiation detector 50 (FIG. 3) converts the incident radiation into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is held in the storage capacitor 56 as an electric charge. Next, the charge information, which is radiographic image information of the breast 88 held in each storage capacitor 56, is read according to the address signal supplied from the detector control unit 80 to the line scan driving unit 64 and the multiplexer 66.

  That is, the address decoder 68 of the line scan driving unit 64 outputs a selection signal according to the address signal supplied from the detector control unit 80 to select one of the switches SW1, and the TFT 54 connected to the corresponding gate line 60. A control signal Von is supplied to the gates of the two. On the other hand, the address decoder 76 of the multiplexer 66 outputs a selection signal in accordance with the address signal supplied from the control unit 80 to sequentially switch the switch SW2, and each pixel connected to the gate line 60 selected by the line scan driving unit 64. Radiation image information which is charge information held in the storage capacitor 56 of 58 is sequentially read out via the signal line 62.

  The radiographic image information read out from the storage capacitor 56 of each pixel 58 connected to the selected gate line 60 is amplified by each amplifier 72, sampled by each sample hold circuit 74, and passed through the multiplexer 66. Is supplied to the A / D converter 78 and converted into a digital signal. The radiation image information converted into the digital signal is transmitted to the console 18 by the detector control unit 80 via the in-hospital network 24.

  Similarly, the address decoder 68 of the line scan driving unit 64 sequentially switches the switch SW1 in accordance with the address signal supplied from the detector control unit 80, and the storage capacitor 56 of each pixel 58 connected to each gate line 60. The stored radiographic image information, which is charge information, is read via the signal line 62 and transmitted to the console 18 via the multiplexer 66, the A / D converter 78 and the detector control unit 80.

  The information processing unit 106 of the console 18 performs correction processing on the received radiation image information based on the correction data stored in the correction data memory 104. That is, the correction data memory 104 stores correction data corresponding to the radiation transmittance of the pressure sensor 90 disposed on the imaging table 36 or the compression plate 38, and the correction data is used to correct the radiation image information. Thus, the radiation image information from which the shadow of the pressure sensor 90 is removed can be obtained. The corrected radiation image information is displayed on the display unit 108. The engineer confirms the displayed image, and if it is determined that appropriate imaging has been performed, the radiographic image information relating to the image is transmitted to the viewer 16 via the in-hospital network 24. The doctor performs necessary interpretation diagnosis based on the radiation image information transmitted to the viewer 16.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another arrangement of the pressure sensor that detects the compression pressure. Both sides of the compression plate 38 are supported by the arm member 30 via brackets 122a and 122b, and a plurality of pressure sensors 124a and 124b are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the brackets 122a and 122b.

  In this case, the amount of radiation transmittance of the pressure sensors 124a and 124b is corrected from the acquired radiation image information by interpolating the compression pressure detected by the pressure sensor 124a and the compression pressure detected by the pressure sensor 124b. Without this, the two-dimensional distribution of the compression pressure along the compression surface of the compression plate 38 can be obtained.

  11 shows that the arm member 30 of the mammography apparatus 20 is supported so as to be tiltable in the direction of arrow C via the first tilting motor 126 and the bracket 128, and the arrow D is supported via the bracket 128 by the second tilting motor 130. The compression plate 38 is configured to be supported so as to be tiltable in the direction. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a drive circuit for the compression plate 38 in a configuration in which the pressure sensor is disposed as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8, or FIG.

  In this case, the position of the breast 88 is adjusted, and the pressure sensor 90 is detected by driving the first tilting motor 126 and the second tilting motor 130 to tilt the compression plate 38 in the direction of arrow C or D. The distribution of the compression pressure can be adjusted to approach the distribution of the compression pressure detected in the past.

  In the mammography apparatus 20 described above, a case has been described in which the radiation detector 50 that acquires and converts irradiated radiation directly into radiation image information as an electrical signal is used. However, the radiation detector 140 configured as shown in FIG. Can also be used.

  The radiation detector 140 is a solid-state detector of a direct conversion method and an optical readout method, accumulates radiation image information based on radiation transmitted through the breast 88 as an electrostatic latent image, and is subjected to on / off control from the reading light source unit 142. By scanning with the read light L, charge information corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is generated as a current.

  The radiation detector 140 includes, in order from the side irradiated with radiation, a first electrode layer 144 that is transparent to the radiation that has passed through the breast 88, and a recording photoconductivity that exhibits conductivity when irradiated with the radiation. The layer 146 acts as a substantially insulator for the latent image charge, while acting as a substantially conductive material for the transport charge of the opposite polarity to the latent image charge, and the reading light from the reading light source unit 142 A reading photoconductive layer 150 that exhibits conductivity when irradiated with L and a second electrode layer 152 that is transmissive to the reading light L are provided.

  At the interface between the recording photoconductive layer 146 and the charge transport layer 148, a power storage unit 154 that accumulates charges generated in the recording photoconductive layer 146 as latent image charges is formed. The second electrode layer 152 includes a large number of linear electrodes 156 extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the reading light source unit 142 extends.

  In the radiation detector 140 configured as described above, when the radiation transmitted through the breast 88 is irradiated to the recording photoconductive layer 146 through the first electrode layer 144, the recording photoconductive layer 146 exhibits conductivity. Thus, a charge pair is generated. Of the generated charge pair, the positive charge is combined with the negative charge supplied to the first electrode layer 144 and disappears. On the other hand, the negative charge generated in the recording photoconductive layer 146 moves toward the charge transport layer 148. Since the charge transport layer 148 acts as a substantially insulator against negative charges, negative charges are accumulated as an electrostatic latent image in the power storage unit 154 that is an interface between the recording photoconductive layer 146 and the charge transport layer 148. .

  After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the radiation detector 140 as described above, the radiation image information is read out. Therefore, while the reading light source unit 142 is moved in the direction of the arrow E, the reading photoconductive layer 150 is irradiated with the reading light L that is controlled to be turned on and off, and radiation image information that is charge information related to the electrostatic latent image is read. .

  The reading photoconductive layer 150 exhibits conductivity when irradiated with the reading light L, and a charge pair is generated. Among the generated charge pairs, the positive charge reaches the power storage unit 154 via the charge transport layer 148 that acts as a conductor for the positive charge, and the electrostatic latent image accumulated in the power storage unit 154 Combined with the negative charge that composes, it disappears. On the other hand, the negative charge of the reading photoconductive layer 150 is recombined with the positive charge of the linear electrode 156 constituting the second electrode layer 152 and disappears. At this time, a current is generated in the linear electrode 156 with the disappearance of the charge, and this current is read out as charge information related to the radiation image information. The radiation image information accumulated and recorded in the radiation detector 140 is read two-dimensionally by repeating the above operation while moving the reading light source unit 142 in the direction of arrow E.

  FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an imaging system 162 including a mammography apparatus 160 using a stimulable phosphor panel. The same components as those of the console 18 and the mammography apparatus 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The mammography apparatus 160 has a slot 168 in which a cassette 166 containing a stimulable phosphor panel P is loaded in a photographing table 164 facing the compression plate 38. The pressure plate 38 or the imaging table 164 is provided with a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure applied to the breast 88 as a pressure distribution. The stimulable phosphor panel P is formed by forming a stimulable phosphor layer on the support for accumulating the energy of the irradiated radiation. The stimulable phosphor panel P emits light according to the energy accumulated by irradiating the excitation light. While outputting the emitted light, the remaining energy can be removed and reused by irradiating a predetermined amount of erasing light.

  The cassette 166 accommodates the stimulable phosphor panel P so as to be detachable via the lid member 170, and the outer surface portion thereof individually identifies the stimulable phosphor panel P accommodated therein. A barcode 172 in which identification information such as a unique number, a size, and sensitivity is recorded is attached. The barcode 172 is read by a barcode reader 174 connected to the console 18.

  The radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel P is read by a reading device 176 configured as shown in FIG. Note that the reading device 176 is controlled by the console 18.

  The reading device 176 includes a cassette loading unit 180 in an upper part of the casing 178, and the storage phosphor panel P in which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded is stored in the loading port 182 formed in the cassette loading unit 180. A cassette 166 is loaded. A barcode reader 184 that reads the identification information of the barcode 172 disposed in the cassette 166, a lock release mechanism 186 that unlocks the lid member 170 of the cassette 166, and a lid member 170 in the vicinity of the loading port 182. An adsorbing plate 188 that adsorbs and takes out the stimulable phosphor panel P from the opened cassette 166, and a nip roller 190 that sandwiches and conveys the stimulable phosphor panel P taken out by the adsorbing plate 188 are disposed.

  A plurality of conveyance rollers 192a to 192g and a plurality of guide plates 194a to 194f are arranged in series with the nip roller 190, and a curved conveyance path 196 is configured by these. The curved conveyance path 196 extends downward from the cassette loading unit 180, then becomes substantially horizontal at the bottom, and then extends substantially vertically upward. Thereby, size reduction of the reading device 176 is achieved.

  Between the nip roller 190 and the conveying roller 192a, an erasing unit 198 for erasing radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor panel P that has been read is disposed. The erasing unit 198 includes an erasing light source 200 such as a cold cathode tube that outputs erasing light.

  A platen roller 202 is disposed between the conveyance rollers 192d and 192e disposed at the lowermost portion of the curved conveyance path 196. A scanning unit 204 that reads radiation image information stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel P is disposed on the platen roller 202.

  The scanning unit 204 derives a laser beam that is excitation light and scans the stimulable phosphor panel P, and reading that reads stimulated emission light related to radiation image information that is excited and output by the laser beam. Part 208.

  The reading unit 208 is connected at one end to the light-storing phosphor panel P on the platen roller 202 and close to the light-storing phosphor panel P, and the other end of the light-collecting guide 210. And a photomultiplier 212 that converts the stimulated emission light obtained from the above into an electrical signal.

  In the imaging system 162 configured as described above, the barcode 172 of the cassette 166 is read by the barcode reader 174 connected to the console 18, whereby the cassette 166 containing the stimulable phosphor panel P is identified. A cassette 166 is loaded into the slot 168 of the imaging table 164 of the mammography apparatus 160.

  Next, the radiation source 82 housed in the radiation source housing 34 is driven to irradiate the breast 88 with radiation, and the radiation phosphor information relating to the radiation transmitted through the breast 88 is housed in the cassette 166. P is accumulated and recorded.

  The cassette 166 in which the radiation image information is recorded is extracted from the imaging table 164 and then loaded into the loading port 182 of the reading device 176. When the cassette 166 is loaded, the barcode reader 184 disposed in the cassette loading unit 180 reads the barcode 172 mounted on the cassette 166, and the unique number, size, sensitivity, etc. of the stimulable phosphor panel P are read. Get identification information. The acquired identification information is collated with the identification information acquired by the barcode reader 174 connected to the console 18 to confirm the correspondence between the subject 25 and the radiation image information.

  When the identification information is read, the lock release mechanism 186 is driven, the locked state of the lid member 170 is released, and the lid is opened. Next, the suction plate 188 sucks the stimulable phosphor panel P, takes out the stimulable phosphor panel P from the cassette 166, and supplies it between the nip rollers 190. The stimulable phosphor panel P sandwiched by the nip rollers 190 is transported to the lower part of the scanning unit 204 via a curved transport path 196 composed of transport rollers 192a to 192g and guide plates 194a to 194f.

  The stimulable phosphor panel P is sub-scanned and conveyed in the substantially horizontal direction by the conveying rollers 192d and 192e. On the other hand, the laser beam output from the excitation unit 206 is guided to the stimulable phosphor panel P supported by the platen roller 202, and mainly scans the stimulable phosphor panel P.

  The stimulable phosphor panel P is excited by being irradiated with a laser beam, and outputs stimulated emission light corresponding to the stored and recorded radiation image information. This stimulated emission light is incident on the lower end portion of the condensing guide 210 disposed close to the stimulable phosphor panel P along the main scanning direction. The stimulated emission light incident on the condensing guide 210 is repeatedly reflected inside and guided to the photomultiplier 212 at the upper end. The photomultiplier 212 converts the incident stimulated emission light into an electrical signal, whereby the radiation image information stored and recorded in the stimulable phosphor panel P is read. The read radiation image information is transmitted to the console 18 via the in-hospital network 24.

  Here, when the cassette 166 is loaded into the mammography apparatus 160, if the correspondence between the cassette 166 and the subject 25 does not match, there is a possibility that desired radiographic image information cannot be obtained. Therefore, a barcode reader for reading the barcode 172 of the cassette 166 is provided on the imaging table 164 of the mammography apparatus 160, and the ID information of the subject 25 corresponding to the unique number of the stimulable phosphor panel P read by this barcode reader. Based on the above, appropriate radiographic image information can be acquired by confirming the subject 25 and setting the imaging condition for the subject 25 in the mammography apparatus 160 to perform imaging.

  Incidentally, the cassette 166 loaded in the mammography apparatus 160 generally has various sizes, and the position of the barcode 172 may differ depending on the size. Further, the position of the barcode 172 disposed on the cassette 166 may differ depending on the manufacturer that provides the cassette 166.

  In order to deal with such a situation, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the barcode readers 214 a to 214 d are arranged at a plurality of different parts inside the imaging table 164, so that the size and the position of the barcode 172 can be adjusted. Even when a different cassette 166 or 166a is loaded, the barcode 172 can be reliably read.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, one barcode reader 216 is arranged on the photographing stand 164, and the barcode reader 216 is moved in the direction of the arrow according to the size of the cassette 166 to be loaded and the position of the barcode 172. You may comprise.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the barcode 172 can be read on the entire surface of the imaging table 164, the range 218 corresponding to the position of the barcode 172 of the cassette 166 to be loaded is specified, and the barcode 172 is read. You may comprise as follows.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19, a line sensor 220 that can move in the direction of the arrow may be provided on the imaging table 164 so that the bar code 172 is read by the line sensor 220.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a photographing system according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of a mammography apparatus. It is a circuit block diagram of a radiation detector. It is a control block diagram of a console and a mammography apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of embodiment which has arrange | positioned the pressure sensor which consists of a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence to the imaging stand. It is explanatory drawing of a compression pressure distribution display. It is a block diagram of a configuration of an embodiment for projecting an image of a compression pressure distribution on a compression plate. It is explanatory drawing of embodiment which arrange | positions the pressure sensor which consists of a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence to a compression board, and projects the image of compression pressure distribution on a compression board using a projector. It is explanatory drawing of the compression pressure distribution display projected on the compression board. It is explanatory drawing of embodiment which has arrange | positioned the pressure sensor which consists of a one-dimensional arrangement | sequence to the bracket which supports a compression board. It is explanatory drawing of the compression board comprised so that tilting was possible. FIG. 12 is a configuration block diagram for driving and controlling a compression plate having the configuration shown in FIG. 11. It is a block diagram explanatory drawing of the radiation detector which consists of another structure. It is a block diagram of the imaging | photography system using a stimulable fluorescent substance panel. It is a block diagram of the reader which comprises the imaging | photography system shown in FIG. It is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the barcode reader arrange | positioned inside an imaging stand. It is explanatory drawing of the other structure of the barcode reader arrange | positioned inside an imaging stand. It is explanatory drawing of the other structure of the barcode reader arrange | positioned inside an imaging stand. It is explanatory drawing of the further another structure of the barcode reader arrange | positioned inside an imaging stand.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,162 ... Imaging system 18 ... Console 20, 160 ... Mammography apparatus 36 ... Imaging stand 38 ... Compression plate 40, 108 ... Display part 50, 140 ... Radiation detector 90, 124a, 124b ... Pressure sensor 100 ... Image memory 102 ... Compression pressure memory 104 ... Correction data memory 110, 112 ... Isobar 114, 120 ... Outer shape 118 ... Projector 126 ... First tilt motor 130 ... Second tilt motor 166, 166a ... Cassette 176 ... Reading device

Claims (11)

A radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the breast and obtains radiation image information of the breast;
An imaging table that houses the radiation detector and holds the breast;
It is configured to be displaceable toward the imaging table, and a compression plate that compresses the breast;
A radiation source for outputting the radiation applied to the breast via the compression plate;
A compression pressure distribution detecting means for detecting a compression pressure distribution of the breast against the imaging table by the compression plate;
A mammography apparatus comprising: grasping a positioning state of the breast based on the detected pressure distribution. The apparatus of claim 1.
The mammography apparatus, wherein the compression pressure distribution detecting means includes a plurality of pressure sensors arranged two-dimensionally along the compression surface of the compression plate. The apparatus of claim 1.
The mammography apparatus, wherein the compression pressure distribution detecting means includes a plurality of pressure sensors arranged two-dimensionally along the imaging surface of the imaging table. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The mammography apparatus, wherein the pressure sensor is made of a material that transmits the radiation. The apparatus of claim 1.
The compression pressure distribution detection means includes a plurality of pressure sensors arranged one-dimensionally on a pair of support members that respectively support the compression plate or the imaging stand from both sides, and the compression pressure detected by the pressure sensors. The mammography apparatus is characterized in that the compression pressure distribution is obtained by performing interpolation processing. The apparatus of claim 1.
The mammography apparatus, wherein the compression plate is configured to be tiltable in a desired direction with respect to the imaging table so as to adjust the compression pressure distribution. The apparatus of claim 6.
A mammography apparatus comprising: a compression plate tilting unit that tilts the compression plate so as to adjust the compression pressure distribution detected by the compression pressure distribution detection unit to a desired compression pressure distribution. A radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the breast and obtains radiation image information of the breast, an imaging table that houses the radiation detector and holds the breast, and can be displaced toward the imaging table A compression plate configured to compress the breast, a radiation source that outputs the radiation applied to the breast via the compression plate, and a compression pressure distribution of the breast to the imaging table detected by the compression plate A mammography apparatus having compression pressure distribution detecting means for
A display device for displaying the detected pressure distribution, and
An imaging system comprising: The system of claim 8, wherein
A storage device for storing the detected compression pressure distribution;
The display system displays the compression pressure distribution acquired in the past stored in the storage device and the compression pressure distribution acquired at the time of the current imaging. The system of claim 8, wherein
A storage device for storing the detected pressure distribution and the acquired radiation image information;
The display system displays the compression pressure distribution and the radiation image information acquired in the past and stored in the storage device, and the compression pressure distribution acquired at the time of the current imaging. The system of claim 8, wherein
The compression pressure distribution detecting means is composed of a plurality of pressure sensors arranged two-dimensionally along the compression surface of the compression plate or the imaging surface of the imaging table,
Correction data storage means for storing correction data generated based on the radiation transmitted through the compression pressure distribution detection means;
Correction means for correcting the radiation image information according to the correction data;
An imaging system comprising:

Images