JP2011200579A - Image apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image apparatus which can photograph more effectively than the conventional technique, constrain the irradiation of an unnecessary area, and interpret the photographed image more easily.SOLUTION: In case of the MLO photographing of the breast N of a subject W who has smaller breasts, the radiation source 30 is controlled so that the larger the inclination angle of the photographed surface 20 is, the upper of the inclined photography platform 22 the radiation area is. The image for display is extracted so that the larger the inclination angle against the radiological image created by the radiation detector 42 is, the nearer to the upper side of the photography platform 22 the extracted area for image is, and the extracted image is displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that performs MLO (internal and external oblique directions: Medical-Lateral-Oblique) imaging.

  Conventionally, a radiation imaging apparatus (imaging apparatus) that performs radiation imaging for medical diagnosis is known. An example of this type of radiographic apparatus is a mammography that images a subject's breast for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer.

  By the way, the size of the photographing stand suitable for photographing differs depending on the physique of the individual. Therefore, it is conceivable to prepare radiation imaging apparatuses having different imaging table sizes. However, it is difficult to prepare a plurality of relatively expensive FFDM (Full Field Digital Mammography) from the viewpoint of cost. Therefore, in general, a radiation imaging apparatus of either the small size (1824) or the large size (2430) is prepared.

  In Asia, where there are many small body subjects, a relatively small size is preferred, and in Europe and the United States, where there are many large subjects, a large size table is preferred in order to avoid split photography. In order to enable imaging for both a small subject and a large subject, it is considered that a radiation imaging apparatus having a large-sized imaging table may be prepared. However, the following problems arise when photographing a small subject having a single body with only one large-sized photographing stand. The first problem is that it is difficult to position the subject's breast in MLO (Medium-Lateral-Oblique) imaging in which the imaging platform is tilted from the horizontal direction. This is because a radiation imaging apparatus equipped with a large-sized imaging table also has a large compression plate for compressing the breast, the width of the imaging table in the horizontal direction (left and right direction with respect to the subject), and the breast placed in the center. This is because it becomes difficult. The second problem is that when photographing the breast of a small body subject (ie, a small breast subject) on a single large-sized imaging platform, it is compared to photographing the breast of a large breast subject. Thus, a relatively useless irradiation area becomes large, and radiation is irradiated to an unnecessary area. The third problem is that the image size is large with respect to the subject (in this case, the breast of the subject), and there are many useless areas at the time of interpretation, making it difficult to interpret. Here, for example, when the subject is positioned not at the center of the image displayed on the display device but at the edge of the image, it is difficult to interpret, and when the subject is positioned at the center of the image displayed on the display device. Is considered easy to interpret.

  Therefore, a technique is known in which an image is acquired by pressing a breast off-center using a small-size compression plate against a large-size imaging stand (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0063509

  However, this technique solves the first and second problems described above, but it is necessary to manually move (shift) the compression plate in accordance with the rotation direction when performing MLO imaging. Yes, there is room for efficiency from the viewpoint of workflow. Further, the third problem is not solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and can capture images more efficiently than conventional techniques, can suppress irradiation of a useless area with radiation, and can interpret captured images more. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy imaging device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 is directed to an imaging table in which a subject's breast comes into contact with an imaging surface, a radiation irradiation unit that irradiates radiation to the breast, and the subject A large breast compression plate whose length in the front-rear direction is a first predetermined value, and a small breast compression plate whose length in the front-rear direction is a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value A mounting unit capable of mounting either the large breast compression plate or the small breast compression plate so as to be positioned between the imaging table and the radiation irradiation unit in order to compress the breast; When the small breast compression plate is mounted on the mounting portion during MLO imaging in which imaging is performed by tilting a table and a support unit that supports the radiation irradiation unit, based on the tilt angle of the imaging surface The radiation irradiation area is inclined above the imaging table and And a control unit that controls the radiation irradiation unit, and a radiation image obtained by radiation transmitted through the breast whose irradiation region is controlled by the control unit, the image extraction region increases as the tilt angle increases. Extraction means for extracting an image for display so as to be on the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the small breast compression plate is mounted on the mounting portion during MLO imaging, the control unit is configured to irradiate the radiation based on the tilt angle of the imaging surface. The radiation irradiating unit is controlled to be on the upper side of the imaging table tilted, and the extraction unit extracts an image for display so that the extraction region is on the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table as the tilt angle increases. . Especially for small breast subjects, as the tilt angle increases, the breast position will be located above the tilted imaging platform. According to the present invention, the position of the compression plate is manually adjusted. Therefore, an image can be taken in accordance with the position of the small breast, and the radiation irradiation area can be limited to a more appropriate position, and the unnecessary area is not irradiated with radiation. In addition, a display image is extracted so that it can be easily interpreted.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to capture more efficiently than in the prior art, it is possible to suppress irradiation of a useless area with radiation, and it is easier to interpret the captured image.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the MLO imaging in which the control unit performs imaging while tilting the support unit that supports the imaging table and the radiation irradiation unit, the small breast compression is applied to the mounting unit. When the plate is mounted, based on the inclination angle of the imaging surface, the radiation irradiation unit is controlled so that the radiation irradiation area is located on the upper side of the inclined imaging table as the inclination angle increases. You may make it do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the width in the width direction of the large breast compression plate and the small breast compression plate is set to the length in the width direction of a predetermined imageable region of the imaging table. It is good also as above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means is configured to store the tilted imaging table based on the storage contents of the storage means in which the irradiation area and the extraction area are stored in association with each inclination angle in advance. The irradiation area corresponding to the inclination angle is acquired, the radiation irradiation unit is controlled so that the acquired irradiation area is irradiated with radiation, and the extraction means is inclined from the storage content of the storage means. An extraction area corresponding to the tilt angle of the imaging table may be acquired, and an image of the extraction area may be extracted from the radiation image as a display image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to capture an image more efficiently than in the prior art, to suppress the irradiation of radiation to a useless area, and to obtain an effect that a captured image is easier to interpret.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure at the time of CC imaging | photography of the imaging device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure at the time of the MLO imaging | photography of the imaging device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the compression board for small breasts and the compression board for large breasts which concern on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the inclination-angle of an imaging surface and the position of a breast in MLO imaging | photography. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the predetermined irradiation area | region and extraction area | region for every inclination | tilt angle memorize | stored in HDD which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the irradiation area | region which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the extraction area | region which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the small breast corresponding | compatible process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the predetermined irradiation area | region and extraction area | region for every inclination | tilt angle memorize | stored in HDD which concerns on this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a radiation imaging apparatus (imaging apparatus) capable of MLO imaging and CC imaging will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment captures a breast N of a subject W with radiation (for example, X-rays) in a standing state where the subject W stands. For example, it is called mammography. In the following, when the subject W faces the radiation imaging apparatus 10 at the time of imaging, the near side near the subject W is the front side of the radiation imaging apparatus 10, and the subject W faces the radiation imaging apparatus 10. The far side away from the subject W will be described as the rear side of the radiation imaging apparatus 10, and the left and right direction of the subject W when the subject W faces the radiation imaging apparatus 10 will be described as the apparatus left and right direction of the radiation imaging apparatus 10 (FIG. See arrow). The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of each compression plate described later.

  Further, the imaging target of the radiation imaging apparatus 10 is not limited to the breast N, and may be, for example, another part of the body or an object. Further, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 may be an apparatus that captures the breast N of the subject W in a sitting position where the subject W is sitting on a chair or the like, and at least the subject W is standing upright. Any device capable of photographing the breast N of W may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 includes a measurement unit 12 having a substantially C-shape (U-shape) in a side view provided on the front side of the apparatus and a base unit that supports the measurement unit 12 from the rear side of the apparatus. 14.

  The measurement unit 12 includes an imaging table 22 on which a planar imaging surface 20 that contacts the breast N of the subject W in a standing state is formed, a compression plate 26 that presses the breast N against the imaging surface 20, and an imaging table 22. And a holding portion 28 that holds the compression plate 26.

  The measurement unit 12 is provided with a radiation source 30 (see FIG. 4) such as a tube, and a radiation irradiation unit 24 that irradiates the imaging surface 20 with radiation for inspection from the radiation source 30 and a holding unit 28. And a support portion 29 that supports the radiation irradiation portion 24. The radiation source 30 is configured so that the irradiation area of the irradiated radiation can be controlled. The holding unit 28 and the support unit 29 may be integrated without the holding unit 28 and the support unit 29 being separated. Moreover, what integrated the holding | maintenance part 28 and the support part 29 may be called a support part.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the compression plate 26 shoots a small breast compression plate 26 a for photographing a small-sized subject W and a large-sized subject W. The large breast compression plate 26b is attached to either the small breast compression plate 26a or the large breast compression plate 26b according to the body shape of the subject W, and photographing is performed. Hereinafter, when the small breast compression plate 26a and the large breast compression plate 26b are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the compression plate 26.

  As shown in the figure, the length of the small breast compression plate 26a in the front-rear direction is smaller than the length of the large breast compression plate 26b in the front-rear direction. Each compression plate can cover the width direction (left-right direction) of a predetermined imageable region so that the length in the width direction of either the small breast compression plate 26a or the large breast compression plate 26b is The length in the width direction of a predetermined image-capable area on the imaging surface 20 of the imaging table 22 is greater than or equal to the length.

  Here, the holding portion 28 described above is detachable (mountable) with a small breast compression plate 26a and a large breast compression plate 26b. The holding portion 28 is an example of a mounting portion according to the present invention. The holding unit 28 is provided with a mounting detection switch 58 for detecting which of the small breast compression plate 26a and the large breast compression plate 26b is mounted. When the breast compression plate 26a is attached to the holding unit 28, a detection signal indicating that the small breast compression plate 26a is attached to the holding unit 28 is output, and the large breast compression plate 26b holds the detection signal. When mounted on the part 28, a detection signal indicating that the large breast compression plate 26b is mounted on the holding part 28 is output.

  The measuring unit 12 is provided with a rotating shaft 16 that is rotatably supported by the base unit 14. The rotation shaft 16 is fixed to the support portion 29 and the holding portion 28, and the rotation shaft 16 and the support portion 29 and the holding portion 28 are rotated together.

  Note that various mechanical elements can be used for switching between transmission and non-transmission of the rotational force of the rotating shaft 16.

  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 compression plate 26 and the imaging surface 20 is variable. The compression 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 42 for detecting radiation that is irradiated with radiation that has passed through the breast N and the imaging surface 20 is disposed inside the imaging table 22. The radiation detected by the radiation detector 42 is visualized and a radiation image is generated.

  The radiation imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that can perform at least both CC imaging (imaging in the head-to-tail direction) and MLO imaging (imaging in the internal and external oblique directions) of the breast N. FIG. 2 shows the attitude of the radiation imaging apparatus 10 at the time of CC imaging, and FIG. 3 shows the attitude of the radiation imaging apparatus 10 at the time of MLO imaging of the imaging apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, MLO imaging is performed by supporting the radiation irradiation unit 24 and inclining a support unit 29 that supports the imaging table 22 via the holding unit 28.

  As shown in FIG. 2, during CC imaging, the posture of the holding unit 28 is adjusted so that the imaging surface 20 faces upward, and the radiation irradiation unit 24 is positioned above the imaging surface 20. Thus, the posture of the support portion 29 is adjusted. 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 25 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 25 is flat.

  At the time of MLO shooting, as shown in FIG. 3, generally, the posture of the holding unit 28 is adjusted in a state where the shooting table 22 is rotated 45 ° or more and less than 90 ° compared to CC shooting, and the shooting table 22 is adjusted. The subject W is positioned so that the axilla of the subject W is applied to the side wall corner 22A on the front side of the apparatus. Thereby, the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit 24 toward the breast N from the axial center side of the body of the subject W to the outside, and MLO imaging (imaging in the internal and external oblique directions) is performed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in MLO imaging, as the angle of inclination (inclination angle) of the imaging surface 20 of the imaging table 22 increases, the position (position) of the breast N depends on the angle of inclination. It moves to one end side of 20. That is, as the tilt angle increases, the position of the breast N is positioned above the tilted imaging table 22. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the position of the breast N is positioned on the upper side of the tilted imaging table 22 as the tilt angle increases to 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 75 degrees. In particular, such a state appears remarkably when the subject W has a small breast. Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when MLO imaging is performed on the subject W with a small breast, the radiation irradiation region is located above the tilted imaging table 22 as the tilt angle increases. In addition to controlling the radiation source 30, the image for display is arranged such that, as the tilt angle becomes larger with respect to the radiation image generated by the radiation detector 42, the image extraction region becomes the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table 22. To extract.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the radiation image capturing system 5 according to the present embodiment.

  The radiographic image capturing system 5 includes the above-described radiographic apparatus 10 and a display device 80 that displays a captured radiographic image.

  The radiation imaging apparatus 10 includes a radiation detector 42, an operation panel 44 to which various operation information such as exposure conditions and posture information and various operation instructions are input, and an imaging apparatus control unit 46 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus. And a communication I / F unit 48 that transmits and receives various types of information to and from other devices connected to the network 56 such as a LAN, and a mounting detection switch 58.

  The imaging device control unit 46 is a non-volatile storage unit (memory) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, and the like. A radiation irradiation unit 24, a radiation detector 42, an operation panel 44, a mounting detection switch 58, and a communication I / F unit 48.

  In the HDD of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a radiation irradiation area 70 and an image extraction area (trimming area) 72 are associated in advance for each inclination angle of the imaging surface 20 in MLO imaging. Is remembered. The radiation irradiation region 70 and the image extraction region 72 for each inclination angle are experimentally obtained in advance, and the radiation irradiation region 70 is obtained when MLO imaging is performed on a subject W having a small breast. In addition, it is experimentally determined so that the area is limited so that the breast N can be imaged and radiation is not irradiated unnecessarily. Further, the image extraction region 72 is experimentally obtained so that the breast N is positioned at the center (or substantially the center) of the display when the radiation image is displayed on the display of the display device 80. is there. For example, the irradiation region 70 in each inclination angle of 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 75 degrees in FIG. 7 is as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. Further, for example, the extraction region 72 at 45 °, 60 °, and 75 ° inclination angles in FIG. 7 is as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C. Here, each coordinate of the irradiation region 70 indicates a two-dimensional coordinate on the imaging surface 20, and each coordinate of the extraction region 72 indicates a two-dimensional coordinate on the radiation image. That is, as described above, when MLO imaging is performed on the subject W having a small breast, the position of the small breast is positioned above the tilted imaging table 22 as the tilt angle increases. Is stored with an irradiation region 70 located on the upper side of the imaging table 22 that is inclined as the inclination angle increases, and the imaging table 22 that is inclined as the inclination angle increases. An extraction area 72 is stored that is located on the side corresponding to the upper side.

  The exposure conditions specified on the operation panel 44 include information such as tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time, and the posture information specified on the operation panel 44 includes CC imaging or MLO imaging. In addition, when MLO photographing is performed, the posture angle at the time of photographing (inclination angle of the photographing surface 20) is included. In addition, you may make it obtain various operation information, such as this exposure condition and attitude | position information, and various operation instructions from another control apparatus.

  If the imaging orientation specified by the orientation information is CC imaging, the imaging device control unit 46 adjusts the orientation of the holding unit 28 so that the imaging surface 20 faces upward, and the radiation irradiation unit 24 moves to the imaging surface 20. On the other hand, if the posture of the support unit 29 is adjusted to a position positioned above and the photographing posture specified by the posture information is MLO photographing, the photographing stand 22 is rotated by the designated posture angle. The posture of the support unit 29 is adjusted so that the posture of the holding unit 28 is adjusted and the radiation irradiation unit 24 is positioned above the imaging surface 20. And the imaging device control part 46 irradiates the imaging | photography surface 20 with the radiation X from the radiation source 30 provided in the radiation irradiation part 24 based on exposure conditions. Note that the imaging device control unit 46 of the present embodiment is configured so that the detection signal from the mounting detection switch 58 is mounted on the holding unit 28 when the imaging posture specified by the posture information is MLO imaging. If it is shown that, the small breast corresponding processing described in detail below is executed. The small breast corresponding processing program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM.

  The radiation detector 42 receives the irradiation of the radiation carrying the image information, records the image information, and outputs the recorded image information. For example, a radiation sensitive layer is disposed, and the radiation is converted into digital data. And output as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector). When the radiation is irradiated, the radiation detector 42 outputs image information indicating the irradiated radiation image to the imaging device control unit 46. In the present embodiment, the radiation detector 42 receives image radiation that has passed through the breast N to obtain image information indicating a radiation image.

  The imaging device control unit 46 is connected to the display device 80 via the communication I / F unit 48.

  Next, the operation of the radiographic image capturing system 5 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When radiographic imaging is performed, the radiographic apparatus 10 is designated by inputting exposure conditions and posture information to the operation panel 44.

  When the imaging posture specified by the posture information is CC imaging, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 adjusts the orientation of the holding unit 28 so that the imaging surface 20 faces upward as shown in FIG. When the posture of the support unit 29 is adjusted so that is positioned above the photographing surface 20, and the photographing posture designated by the posture information is MLO photographing, the photographing stand 22 is designated as shown in FIG. The posture of the holding unit 28 is adjusted to be rotated so as to have a posture angle, and the posture of the support unit 29 is adjusted so that the radiation irradiation unit 24 is positioned above the imaging surface 20.

  The subject W brings the breast N into contact with the imaging surface 20 of the radiation imaging apparatus 10. In the radiation imaging apparatus 10, when an operation instruction for starting compression is given to the operation panel 44 in this state, the pressing plate 26 moves toward the imaging surface 20. When the pressing plate 26 abuts against the breast N and further presses and the pressing force of the pressing plate 26 reaches the set pressing force, the movement of the pressing plate 26 is stopped by the control of the imaging device control unit 46.

  In this state, the radiation imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment irradiates the imaging surface 20 with radiation from the radiation source 30 of the radiation irradiation unit 24 when an operation start instruction is given to the operation panel 44. . The radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiator 24 reaches the radiation detector 42 after passing through the breast N.

  When radiation is irradiated, the radiation detector 42 outputs image information indicating the irradiated radiation image to the imaging device controller 46, respectively.

  The imaging device control unit 46 performs various processes such as shading correction on the image information indicating the captured radiation image, and the correction is performed on the display device 80 so that the radiation image indicated by the corrected image information is displayed. The later image information is output. As a result, a radiation image is displayed on the display device 80.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart showing the flow of the small breast corresponding processing of the small breast corresponding processing program executed by the CPU of the imaging device control unit 46 according to the present embodiment. As described above, in the small breast corresponding processing, when the photographing posture specified by the posture information is MLO photographing, the detection signal from the attachment detection switch 58 is attached to the holding portion 28 for the small breast compression plate 26a. It is executed when it is shown.

  First, in step 100, the posture of the holding unit 28 is adjusted so that the imaging table 22 is rotated so as to have a specified inclination angle (posture angle), and the radiation irradiation unit 24 is positioned above the imaging surface 20. The attitude of the support portion 29 is adjusted to the position.

  In the next step 102, the irradiation area 70 and the extraction area 72 corresponding to the designated tilt angle are acquired from the storage contents of the HDD.

  In the next step 104, the irradiation of the radiation by the radiation source 30 is controlled so that the irradiation region 70 acquired in step 102 is irradiated with the radiation. Thereby, the radiation is irradiated to a limited area so that the breast N can be imaged and the radiation is not used unnecessarily.

  In the next step 106, a display image for displaying the image of the extraction region 72 acquired in step 102 on the display device 80 with respect to the radiation image indicated by the image information output from the radiation detector 42. Extract as Thereby, a display image is extracted so that the breast N is displayed so as to be positioned at the center (or substantially the center) of the display of the display device 80.

  In the next step 108, the display image extracted in step 106 is output to the display device 80. Thereby, a radiographic image in which the breast N is located at the center is displayed on the display of the display device 80 so that it can be easily interpreted. Then, the small breast correspondence process is terminated.

  The imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. According to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, an appropriate irradiation area 70 and extraction area 72 corresponding to the inclination angle are stored in the HDD for each inclination angle, and the holding unit 28 is small in MLO imaging. When the breast compression plate 26a is attached, the radiation irradiation unit 24 is controlled so that the radiation irradiation area 70 is located above the tilted imaging table 22 as the imaging surface 20 has a larger inclination angle. The display image is extracted so that the extraction region 72 is on the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table 22 as the value of becomes larger. In particular, for the subject with small breasts, as the tilt angle increases, the position of the breast N is positioned above the tilted imaging table 22, so that according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. In addition, it is possible to take an image in accordance with the position of the small breast without manually adjusting the position of the compression plate, and it is possible to limit the irradiation region of the radiation to a more appropriate position so that the unnecessary region is not irradiated with the radiation. Further, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the display image is extracted so that the position of the breast N is positioned at the center of the image displayed on the display of the display device 80 so that the interpretation is easy. .

  Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to capture more efficiently than in the prior art, it is possible to suppress the irradiation of radiation to a useless area, and the captured image is easier to interpret. Become.

  In addition, although the case where it applied to the radiographic image image | photographed by mammography was demonstrated in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this, You may apply to another radiographic image imaging device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where digital image information indicating a radiation image is directly obtained by the radiation detector 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an imaging plate or an X-ray film For example, digital image information may be obtained by irradiating a cassette or the like with a built-in component, etc., and reading an imaging plate or an X-ray film incorporated in the cassette.

  In the above embodiment, the radiation irradiation area 70 and the image extraction area (trimming area) 72 as shown in FIG. 7 are associated in advance for each inclination angle of the imaging surface 20 in MLO imaging. Although the stored example has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a radiation irradiation area 70 and an image extraction area (trimming area) 72 as shown in FIG. 11 may be stored in advance in association with each inclination angle of the imaging surface 20 in MLO imaging. In the example of FIG. 11, the irradiation area 70 and the extraction area 72 from 45 degrees to 59 degrees are the same, and the irradiation area 70 and the extraction area 72 from 60 degrees to 74 degrees are the same.

  In addition, not only the above-described method but also MLO imaging of the breast of the subject W using various methods, the larger the tilt angle, the more the radiation irradiation area becomes the upper side of the tilted imaging table 22. The radiation source 30 is controlled so that the extraction area of the image is on the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table 22 as the tilt angle increases with respect to the radiation image generated by the radiation detector 42. The image may be extracted.

  In addition, the configurations of the radiographic imaging system 5, the radiographic imaging device 10, and the display device 80 described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be changed according to the situation without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, the processing flow of the small breast corresponding processing program described in the above embodiment is also an example, and it goes without saying that it can be changed according to the situation without departing from the gist of the present invention.

5 Radiation Imaging System 10 Imaging Device 24 Radiation Irradiation Unit 30 Radiation Source 42 Radiation Detector 46 Imaging Device Control Unit 58 Wear Detection Switch 80 Display Device N Breast W Subject

Claims (5)

An imaging table where the subject's breast comes into contact with the imaging surface;
A radiation irradiator for irradiating the breast with radiation;
A large breast compression plate whose length in the front-rear direction is a first predetermined value with respect to the subject, and a small breast compression whose second length is smaller than the first predetermined value in the front-rear direction. A mounting capable of mounting either the large breast compression plate or the small breast compression plate so that a plate is positioned between the imaging table and the radiation irradiation unit in order to compress the breast on the imaging table And
When the small breast compression plate is mounted on the mounting portion during MLO imaging in which imaging is performed by tilting the support section that supports the imaging table and the radiation irradiation section, the inclination angle of the imaging surface is set. Based on the control means for controlling the radiation irradiation unit so that the radiation irradiation region is on the upper side of the tilted imaging table,
With respect to a radiographic image obtained by radiation transmitted through the breast whose irradiation area is controlled by the control means, the image extraction area is on the side corresponding to the upper side of the imaging table based on the tilt angle. Extracting means for extracting an image for display;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   In the MLO imaging in which imaging is performed by inclining the support unit that supports the imaging table and the radiation irradiation unit, the control unit is configured to incline the inclination when the small breast compression plate is attached to the attachment unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation irradiation unit is controlled based on an angle such that a radiation irradiation region is located on an upper side of the tilted imaging table as the tilt angle increases.   The extraction unit is configured such that, with respect to a radiographic image obtained by radiation transmitted through the breast whose irradiation region is controlled by the control unit, the image extraction region corresponds to an upper side of the imaging table as the tilt angle increases. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image for display is extracted so that   The length in the width direction of the compression plate for the large breast and the compression plate for the small breast is not less than the length in the width direction of a predetermined imaging region of the imaging table. The imaging device described. The control means obtains the irradiation area corresponding to the tilted angle of the imaging table from the storage content of the storage means in which the irradiation area and the extraction area are stored in association with each tilt angle in advance. Controlling the radiation irradiating unit to irradiate the acquired irradiation region with radiation,
The extraction unit obtains an extraction region corresponding to the tilted angle of the imaging table from the storage content of the storage unit, and extracts an image of the extraction region as a display image from the radiation image. Item 5. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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