JP2010035622A - Mammography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mammography apparatus capable of alleviating pains of a subject. <P>SOLUTION: The mammography apparatus includes a photography platform 11 to support a region P1 to be photographed, which is a breast of the subject P, a compression plate 12 to compress the region P1 supported by the photography platform 11, a heating part 50 to heat the photography platform 11 and the compression plate 12, an X-ray generation part 20 to X-ray radiate the region P1, and an X-ray detection part 30 to detect X rays that have penetrated through the region P1. The heating part 50 heats the photography platform 11 and the compression plate 12 suspended near the photography platform 11 based on information of an examination start time from a terminal device 102 for examination reservation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus that performs X-ray imaging of a breast of a subject.

2. Description of the Related Art A mammography apparatus that obtains image data by X-ray imaging of a breast with the subject's breast as the object of examination is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This mammography apparatus includes an imaging table and a compression plate for compressing the breast so that image data with high contrast and resolution can be obtained with less geometric blur and blur due to body movement. Then, the breast supported on the imaging table is compressed with a compression plate, the X-ray is irradiated to the breast maintained at a uniform thickness, and the X-ray transmitted through the breast is detected to generate image data.
JP 2004-33790 A

  However, in an examination room where a mammography device is installed, the temperature of the room air is often not adjusted to an appropriate temperature from the start of the examination. Especially in the winter, the breast is supported by an imaging table that is lower than the body temperature. Since the compression is performed with a lower compression plate, there is a problem that the cold feeling of the imaging table and the compression plate causes pain to the subject.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mammography apparatus that can reduce pain of a subject.

  In order to solve the above problems, a mammography apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging table that supports a breast of a subject, a compression plate that compresses the breast supported by the imaging table, and the imaging table and the compression plate. Heating means for heating, X-ray generation means for irradiating the breast pressed by the compression plate heated by the heating means, and X-rays irradiated by the X-ray generation means and transmitted through the breast X-ray detection means for detecting image data and image processing means for generating image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detection means.

  According to the present invention, the pain of the subject can be reduced by warming the imaging table that supports the breast of the subject and the compression plate that compresses the breast supported by the imaging table.

  Examples of the present invention will be described.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a mammography apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mammography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mammography apparatus 100 includes an imaging unit main body 1 that generates X-ray projection data by X-ray imaging of an imaging region P1 that is a breast of a subject P, and a high voltage necessary for X-ray imaging. A high voltage generation unit 2 to be supplied and an image processing unit 3 that processes X-ray projection data generated by X-ray imaging in the imaging unit main body 1 to generate image data are provided.

  The mammography apparatus 100 also includes a display unit 4 for displaying the image data generated by the image processing unit 3, setting of imaging conditions such as X-ray irradiation conditions, setting of various conditions related to display, input of various commands, etc. An operation unit 5 that performs an operation, an interface 6 that receives examination information regarding the examination of the subject P from the terminal device 102 via the network 101, and a system control unit 7 that controls these units in an integrated manner. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit body 1 includes an imaging unit 8 that generates X-ray projection data by X-ray imaging of the imaging region P1, and moves the imaging unit 8 in the vertical direction and in the direction of the arrow R1. A main body support portion 9 that supports the rotation is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the photographing unit 8. The imaging unit 8 includes a compression unit 10 that compresses the imaging region P1, an X-ray generation unit 20 that irradiates the imaging region P1 compressed by the compression unit 10, and an X-ray from the X-ray generation unit 20. The X-ray detection unit 30 that detects X-rays transmitted through the imaging region P1 by irradiation and generates X-ray projection data, the compression plate moving mechanism 40 that moves a part of the compression unit 10, and the compression unit 10 are heated. A heating unit 50, an X-ray generation unit 20, an X-ray detection unit 30, a compression plate moving mechanism 40, and a cover 60 that covers the heating unit 50 are provided.

  The compression unit 10 is disposed between the X-ray generation unit 20 and the X-ray detection unit 30, and includes an imaging table 11 that supports the imaging region P1, and a compression plate 12 that compresses the imaging region P1 supported by the imaging table 11. It has.

  The imaging table 11 is made of, for example, a plate-like carbon composite material having excellent X-ray transparency, and a support surface 11a that supports the imaging region P1 is a flat surface. Further, the compression plate 12 disposed to face the imaging table 11 is made of, for example, an acrylic material excellent in X-ray transmission, and the compression surface 12a that compresses the imaging region P1 forms a flat surface to support the imaging table 11. It arrange | positions in parallel with respect to the surface 11a.

  Then, before performing X-ray imaging, an imaging region P1 obtained by moving a tissue that can move freely on the outer lower part of the chest of the subject P to a fixed tissue fixed to the greater pectoralis muscle on the inner upper part is taken on the imaging table 11. Support with. Next, the imaging part P1 is held at a uniform thickness by moving the compression plate 12 in the direction of the arrow L1, which is a direction approaching the imaging table 11, and pressing the imaging part P1 supported by the imaging table 11. Further, after the X-ray imaging is completed, the imaging region P1 is released from the compressed state by moving in the arrow L2 direction opposite to the L1 direction.

  In this way, by maintaining the imaging region P1 with a uniform thickness, scattered X-rays can be reduced, and contrast and resolution can be increased over the entire mammary gland to provide an appropriate image density. Moreover, since the overlap of mammary glands can be separated and dispersed, the contrast between tissues can be increased. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the exposure dose, reduce the geometric blur due to the decrease in the distance between the imaging region P1 and the X-ray detection unit 30, prevent blur due to body movement, and the like.

  The X-ray generator 20 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned between an X-ray tube 21 that generates X-rays, and the compression plate 12 of the X-ray tube 21 and the compression unit 10. An X-ray restrictor 22 that controls the irradiation range of X-rays irradiated to P1 within a range that can be detected by the X-ray detection unit 30 is provided. Then, X-rays are irradiated to the imaging region P1 compressed by the compression unit 10. Note that low energy X-rays are irradiated because it is necessary to extract a normal tissue in the imaging region P1 and a lesion tissue having a small X-ray absorption difference with high contrast.

  The X-ray detector 30 is disposed opposite to the X-ray generator 20, detects an X-ray and converts it into an electric signal, and an electric signal converted by the X-ray detector 31. And a signal processing unit 32 for generating X-ray projection data from. Then, X-ray projection data generated by detecting X-rays transmitted through the imaging region P1 compressed by the compression unit 10 is output to the image processing unit 3.

  The compression plate moving mechanism 40 supports the compression plate 12 so as to be movable in the L1 direction and the L2 direction by an input operation from the operation unit 5. In addition, a position detection sensor such as a potentiometer that detects the position of the compression plate 12 of the compression unit 10 is provided, and the compression plate 12 is moved in the L1 direction in response to an operation to end the inspection from the operation unit 5 to obtain an imaging table 11. It stops at the heating position which is near.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the heating unit 50. The heating unit 50 is disposed in a cover 60 outside the X-ray irradiation range of the X-ray generation unit 20, and is heated by a heat source 51 that generates heat, a fan 52 that generates wind, and a heat source 51 from the fan 52. A temperature sensor 53 that detects the temperature of the hot air, and a heating control circuit 54 that controls the amount of heat generated by the heat source 51 and the air volume of the fan 52 based on the temperature detected from the temperature sensor 53. In addition, a blowout opening 60 a is provided in a part of the cover 60, and the blowout opening 60 a is disposed in the vicinity of the support surface 11 a of the imaging table 11 in the compression unit 10.

  In addition, since X-rays of low energy are used in the X-ray imaging of the imaging region P1, mounting of a heat source that absorbs X-rays on the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 and mounting of a surface treatment material that reduces a cold feeling are required. It is necessary to avoid it. For this reason, the heating part 50 is arrange | positioned in the position remove | deviated from the X-ray irradiation range of the X-ray generation part 20, and heats the imaging stand 11 and the compression board 12 using warm air.

  Then, for example, warm air near the body temperature heated by the heat source 51 from the fan 52 is blown out from the blowout opening 60a, and the compression surface 12a of the compression plate 12 stopped at the support surface 11a of the photographing stand 11 and the heating position. The imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 are heated by being applied to.

  In this way, warm air is blown out from the blowout opening 60a provided in the vicinity of the support surface 11a of the imaging table 11, and the support surface 11a of the imaging table 11 and the compression surface 12a of the compression plate 12 stopped at the heating position. By applying, the imaging stand 11 and the compression plate 12 can be efficiently heated.

  The cover 60 shown in FIG. 3 is the compression plate 12 of the compression plate moving mechanism 40 other than the portion that irradiates the imaging region P1 of the X-ray generation unit 20 with X-rays and the portion other than the portion that detects X-rays of the X-ray detection unit 30. The heating part 60 is covered except for the moving range of the part supporting the heating element.

  The high voltage generator 2 shown in FIG. 1 is based on the tube voltage, tube current, X-ray irradiation time, etc., which are X-ray irradiation conditions included in the imaging conditions supplied from the system control unit 7. A high voltage for generating X-rays is supplied to the X-ray tube 21 of the X-ray generation unit 20 in the imaging unit 8.

  The image processing unit 3 generates image data from the X-ray projection data output from the signal processing unit 32 of the X-ray detection unit 30 in the imaging unit 8 of the imaging unit body 1, and outputs the generated image data to the display unit 4. To do. The generated image data is stored.

  The display unit 4 includes a monitor such as a liquid crystal panel or a CRT, and displays the image data output from the image processing unit 3.

  The operation unit 5 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and various switches. An input operation for setting shooting conditions, an input operation for moving the imaging unit 8 up and down, and a movement of the compression plate 12 in the L1 and L2 directions. An input operation, an input operation for starting inspection, an input operation for ending inspection, and the like are performed.

  The interface 6 receives the examination information including the examination start time information and the subject information of the subject P from the terminal device 102 that accepts the examination reservation of the subject P via the network 101. Then, the received inspection information is output to the system control unit 7.

  The system control unit 7 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, temporarily stores input information such as a command signal and imaging conditions supplied from the operation unit 5, and then controls the entire system based on the input information. Further, based on the information of the examination start time output from the interface 6, the heating unit 50 of the imaging unit 8 in the imaging unit body 1 is operated.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the mammography apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mammography apparatus 100. The compression plate 12 of the compression unit 10 in the imaging unit 8 of the imaging unit main body 1 is stopped at the heating position by the input operation for completion of the inspection from the operation unit 5. And the mammography apparatus 100 starts the operation | movement which performs a test | inspection by receiving the information of the test | inspection start time from the terminal device 102 which receives the reservation of a test | inspection (step S1).

  The interface 6 outputs the inspection information received from the terminal device 102 via the network 101 to the system control unit 7. Based on the examination start time information included in the examination information output from the interface 6, the system control unit 7 determines that the support surface 11 a of the imaging table 11 and the compression surface 12 a of the compression plate 12 are subject to the subject P from the examination start time. For example, the heating unit 50 is operated from a time that goes back to the time required to rise to a temperature in the vicinity of the body temperature (preheating time).

  The heating unit 50 heats the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 according to an instruction from the system control unit 7. Then, for example, warm air near the body temperature heated by the heat source 51 from the fan 52 is blown out from the blowout opening 60a, and the compression surface 12a of the compression plate 12 stopped at the support surface 11a of the photographing stand 11 and the heating position. The imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 are heated by being applied to. (Step S2).

  As described above, based on the information on the inspection start time received from the terminal device 102, the warm air is applied to the support surface 11a of the imaging table 11 and the compression surface 12a of the compression plate 12 from the time that is preheated from the inspection start time. By spraying, the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 can be heated to a temperature near the body temperature.

  When an operation for inputting examination start is performed from the operation unit 5 to select the subject information of the subject P to be examined among the subject information received by the interface 6 around the examination start time received from the terminal device 102. The system control unit 7 instructs the imaging unit main body 1 and the image processing unit 3 to inspect the subject P. Next, when an input operation for moving the compression plate 12 in the L2 direction is performed from the operation unit 5 in order to place the imaging region P1 of the subject P to be examined on the support surface 11a of the imaging table 11, the system control unit 7 instructs the heating unit 50 to stop heating. The heating unit 50 stops heating the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 according to an instruction from the system control unit 7 (step S3).

  After the heating unit 50 stops, the compression plate 12 moves in the L2 direction and stops. Then, CC (Cranio-Caudal) head-to-tail shooting, which is shooting positioning in which the shooting table 11 is arranged substantially horizontally, and MLO, which is shooting positioning in which the shooting table 11 is tilted by the rotation of the shooting unit 8 in the R1 direction. (Medio-Lateral-Obliqué) When an imaging operation P5 is supported by the imaging table 11 and an input operation for moving the compression plate 12 in the L1 direction is performed after the imaging site P1 is supported by the imaging table 11, The compression plate 12 moves and stops at a position where the imaging region P1 supported by the imaging table 11 is compressed and held to a uniform thickness.

  As described above, the heating of the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 can be stopped in accordance with the input operation for moving the compression plate 12 in the L2 direction after the input operation for starting the inspection from the operation unit 5. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the hot air from being applied to the imaging region P1 supported by the imaging table 11.

  Next, when an X-ray imaging operation is performed from the operation unit 5, the high voltage generation unit 2 supplies a high voltage to the X-ray generation unit 20. The X-ray generation unit 20 irradiates the imaging region P1 compressed by the compression unit 10 with X-rays. The X-ray detection unit 30 generates X-ray projection data by detecting X-rays that have passed through the imaging region P1, and outputs the generated X-ray projection data to the image processing unit 3. The image processing unit 3 generates image data based on the X-ray projection data output from the X-ray detection unit 30, displays the image data on the display unit 4, and stores the generated image data.

  After the desired image data is stored, when an input operation for ending the examination of the subject P is performed from the operation unit 5, the system control unit 7 instructs the imaging unit body 1 and the image processing unit 3 to end the examination. . The compression plate moving mechanism 40 moves the compression plate 12 in the L1 direction in response to an inspection end instruction from the system control unit 7 and is a heating position where it is impossible to place the imaging region P1 on the imaging table 11. Stop (step S4).

  As described above, the compression plate 12 is moved and stopped at the heating position in accordance with the input operation for the end of the inspection from the operation unit 5, so that the compression plate 12 is input after the next operation for starting the inspection from the operation unit 5. Can be moved in the L2 direction.

  When the compression plate 12 stops in the vicinity of the imaging table 11, the mammography apparatus 100 ends the inspection operation (step S5).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the heating unit 50 that heats the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 is provided, and the cover 60 is provided with the air outlet 60 a that blows warm air from the heating unit 50. Provided in the vicinity of the support surface 11a.

  Then, based on the information of the inspection start time received from the terminal device 102, the pressure surface of the compression plate 12 stopped at the support surface 11a of the imaging table 11 and the heating position from the time that goes back the preheating time from the inspection start time. The shoot table 11 and the compression plate 12 can be heated by blowing warm air on 12a. As a result, the subject P can be released from the pain caused by the cold feel given to the imaging region P1.

  Further, the heating of the imaging table 11 and the compression plate 12 can be stopped according to the input operation for moving the compression plate 12 in the L2 direction after the input operation for starting the inspection from the operation unit 5. Thereby, the discomfort caused by the hot air hitting the imaging part P1 supported by the imaging table 11 can be prevented.

  Further, the compression plate 12 is moved to the heating position and stopped in accordance with the input operation for the end of the inspection from the operation unit 5, so that the compression plate 12 is moved to L2 after the input operation for the next inspection start from the operation unit 5. An operation of moving in the direction can be performed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the mammography apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the external appearance of the imaging | photography part main body which concerns on the Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the imaging | photography part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the heating part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mammography apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Image | photographing part 9 Main body support part 10 Compression part 11 Imaging stand 11a Support surface 12 Compression plate 12a Compression surface 20 X-ray generation part 30 X-ray detection part 40 Compression plate moving mechanism 50 Heating part 60 Cover 60a Outlet

Claims (6)

An imaging table that supports the breast of the subject,
A compression plate that compresses the breast supported by the imaging table;
Heating means for heating the imaging table and the compression plate;
X-ray generation means for irradiating X-rays to the breast pressed by the compression plate heated by the heating means;
X-ray detection means for detecting X-rays irradiated by the X-ray generation means and transmitted through the breast;
A mammography apparatus comprising: image processing means for generating image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detection means. Moving means capable of moving the compression plate and compressing the breast;
The heating means is disposed at a position outside the X-ray irradiation range by the X-ray generation means, and heats the compression plate stopped in the vicinity of the imaging table by the imaging table and the moving means. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A cover provided with a blowout opening in a part of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means;
The heating means blows warm air out of the cover from the blowout port arranged in the vicinity of the support surface supporting the breast of the imaging table, and the support surface and the compression plate arranged outside the cover. The mammography apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the breast is applied to a compression surface that compresses the breast.   The mammography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating unit includes a heat source that generates heat and a fan that applies air to the heat source that generated the heat.   The heating means heats the imaging table and the compression plate from a time that is a preheating time backward from the test start time based on information on the test start time from a terminal device that accepts a test reservation for the subject. The mammography apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is a mammography apparatus. An operation means capable of performing an input operation for starting and ending the examination of the subject and an input operation for moving the compression plate,
The moving means moves the compression plate in response to an input operation at the end of the inspection from the operating means and stops it in the vicinity of the imaging table,
The heating unit heats the imaging plate and the compression plate stopped in the vicinity of the imaging table in response to an input operation for moving the compression plate after an input operation for starting an inspection from the operation unit. The mammography apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mammography apparatus is stopped.

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