JP5630391B2 - Radiography system for breast examination - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic apparatus for breast screening that detects a pair of annihilation radiations emitted from a subject and images a radiopharmaceutical distribution in the subject, and in particular, radiography for breast screening for cancer screening. Relates to the device.

  In medical institutions, radiation tomography apparatuses that image the distribution of radiopharmaceuticals are deployed. A specific configuration of such a radiation tomography apparatus will be described. A conventional radiation tomography apparatus includes a detector ring in which radiation detectors that detect radiation are arranged in an annular shape. This detector ring detects a pair of radiations (annihilation radiation pairs) in opposite directions that are irradiated from the radiopharmaceutical in the subject.

  One type of such a radiation tomography apparatus is a radiation tomography apparatus for breast examination. This radiographic apparatus for breast examination will be specifically described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conventional radiographic apparatus for breast examination. In the conventional radiation imaging apparatus 51 for breast examination, one side of the breast B of the subject M is inserted into the detector ring 62 during the examination. In this state, the detector ring 62 detects the annihilation radiation pair irradiated from the subject M.

  The detector ring 62 identifies the source of the annihilation radiation pair emitted from the breast B, and a radiopharmaceutical distribution is generated based on this position information. Since radiopharmaceuticals have the property of accumulating more in cancer tissues than in normal tissues, breast cancer screening can be performed by diagnosing the distribution map of radiopharmaceuticals (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-183448 A JP 2009-254787 A

However, the conventional configuration has the following problems.
That is, according to the conventional configuration, there is a problem that it is impossible to obtain a guarantee that the breast is properly inserted into the detector ring.

  The breast B is flexible and does not have a fixed shape. When the breast B is inserted into the detector ring 62, the breast B hits the gantry 61 and is deformed. Then, there is a possibility that tomographic imaging starts in a state where the breast B does not fit well in the detector ring 62.

  The surgeon cannot confirm the appearance of the breast B when inserting the breast B into the detector ring 62. This is because the gantry 61 surrounding the breast B becomes an obstacle to confirmation. Therefore, the surgeon cannot confirm whether the breast B is reliably inserted in the stage before the start of imaging.

  Then, it may happen that imaging is started without the breast B being inserted into the detector ring 62 successfully. In this case, the operator notices that the breast B has not been inserted until the tomographic image obtained after the imaging is finished. In this case, the only way to obtain an image that can be used for diagnosis is to re-read the tomographic image.

  When the tomographic image is taken again, imaging is started again after the breast B is inserted deep in the detector ring 62. However, even in this process, there is no guarantee that the breast B is securely inserted into the detector ring 62.

  That is, according to the conventional configuration, imaging is repeated until a tomographic image suitable for diagnosis can be acquired. Such a phenomenon that the breast B does not fit into the detector ring 62 is particularly likely to occur particularly when the breast B to be examined is large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic apparatus for breast examination that can reliably acquire a tomographic image by inserting a breast into a detector ring. It is to provide.

The present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems.
That is, the radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination according to the present invention inserts a holder for holding the breast of the subject, a fixing means for fixing the holder to the subject, and a holder fixed to the subject by the fixing means. The gantry is provided with a gantry having an opening portion, and the gantry is provided with a stopper for positioning the gantry and the holder by abutting against the holder to be inserted.

  [Operation / Effect] According to the configuration of the present invention, the holder for holding the breast is provided. Since the holder is fixed to the subject by the fixing means, it is not displaced from the subject during the examination. When the holder is inserted into the opening of the gantry, the holder abuts against a stopper of the gantry and further insertion is prohibited. Since the stopper positions the gantry and the holder, the positions of the subject's breast and gantry are determined through the holder. In addition, since the breast of the subject does not hit the gantry by being held by the holder, the breast is prevented from being deformed when the breast is introduced into the gantry. According to the present invention, since the breast can be reliably accommodated in the opening of the gantry, it is possible to provide a radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination that can reliably acquire a tomographic image.

  Further, in the above-described radiographic apparatus for breast examination, it is more preferable that the holder has a cup shape having an insertion port for inserting a breast.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. If the cup is configured so that the bottom position of the holder is within the range of the detector ring, the following two effects can be obtained. That is, (1) the tip of the breast does not protrude beyond the range of the detector ring, and the breast can be surely placed within the range of the detector ring. (2) The breast can be shaped so that the breast is at the most convenient (eg, highest resolution) position in the detector ring (eg, the center of the detector ring). Therefore, if configured as described above, the breast can be more suitably inserted into the opening of the gantry.

  Moreover, in the above-described radiographic apparatus for breast examination, it is more preferable that the holder has two members that sandwich the breast.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. If the holder is configured to sandwich the breast, the breast can be held in a flat shape. Thereby, since it can image | photograph with less radiation, the radiography apparatus for breast examination excellent in safety can be provided.

  Moreover, in the above-described radiographic apparatus for breast examination, it is more desirable that the holder is transparent.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. If the holder is transparent, the state of the breast held by the holder can be observed when the holder is attached to the subject. In this way, the breast can be securely held by the holder.

  In the above-described radiographic apparatus for breast examination, it is more preferable that the stopper is provided so as to close one end of the opening of the gantry opposite to the side where the holder is inserted.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. If the stopper is provided so as to block one end of the opening of the gantry, the stopper is provided at a position that prevents the holder from being inserted. Therefore, if comprised in this way, a holder will contact | abut to a stopper reliably.

  In the above radiographic apparatus for breast examination, it is more preferable that the radiation detector for detecting radiation is provided in the gantry with a detector ring arranged in an arc shape to image a radiopharmaceutical distributed in the breast.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. The positron emission tomography apparatus requires time for imaging. Therefore, re-imaging in such an apparatus places a heavy burden on the subject, so it is necessary to insert the breast securely before imaging. If the present invention is applied to a positron emission tomography apparatus, the breast can be reliably introduced into the detector ring, so that the imaging is reliable.

  Further, the above-described radiographic apparatus for breast examination includes a radiation source that irradiates radiation inside the gantry and a radiation detector that detects radiation, and performs imaging by transmitting radiation emitted from the radiation source to the breast. For example, it is more desirable.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration shows a more specific configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. In the apparatus as described above, the amount of radiation emitted to the subject must be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, in such an apparatus, it is not desirable to perform the imaging again in consideration of the safety of the subject. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably insert the breast at the time of imaging. If the present invention is applied to the above-described configuration, the breast can be surely introduced into the gantry, so that photographing is safe.

  According to the structure of this invention, the holding tool holding a breast is provided. When the holder is inserted into the opening of the gantry, the holder comes into contact with a stopper of the gantry and is positioned with the gantry. According to the present invention, since the breast of the subject does not hit the gantry by being held by the holder, the breast can be reliably accommodated in the opening of the gantry without deforming the breast. Therefore, it is possible to provide a radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination that can reliably acquire a tomographic image.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a radiation tomography apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the holder which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the stopper which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed a mode that the holder which concerns on Example 1 was inserted in a gantry. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a radiation detector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the operation of the radiation tomography apparatus according to Embodiment 1. It is a functional block diagram explaining the whole structure of the X-ray tomography apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray tomography apparatus according to Embodiment 2. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of one modification of this invention. The configuration of one modification of the present invention will be described. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the radiography apparatus of a conventional structure.

  Embodiments of a radiation tomography apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The gamma rays in Example 1 are an example of the radiation of the present invention. The configuration of the first embodiment is a mammography apparatus for breast examination. That is, the radiation tomography apparatus according to the first embodiment performs imaging of a radiopharmaceutical distributed in the breast B to generate a tomographic image.

<Overall configuration of radiation tomography apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the radiation tomography apparatus according to the first embodiment. The radiation tomography apparatus 9 according to the first embodiment includes a gantry 11 having an opening for inserting the breast B of the subject M from the z direction, and the breast B of the subject M provided inside the gantry 11 in the z direction. And a ring-shaped detector ring 12 to be inserted. The opening provided in the detector ring 12 has a cylindrical shape (exactly, a regular octagonal prism) extending in the z direction. Therefore, the detector ring 12 itself extends in the z direction. Note that the area of the opening of the detector ring 12 is an imaging field in which a tomographic image P of the radiation tomography apparatus 9 can be generated. The z direction is along the direction in which the central axis of the detector ring 12 extends.

  The top plate 10 is provided for the purpose of placing the subject M in a stomach-like state. The top plate 10 is provided with a hole through which the breast B of the subject M is inserted in the z direction. The breast B is inserted into the detector ring 12 through the hole. The opening of the gantry 11 is provided vertically upward, and the breast B is inserted into this opening from the vertically downward direction.

  The breast B inserted into the opening of the gantry 11 is included in the holder 5 that holds the breast B. The configuration of the holder 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the holder 5 according to the first embodiment. The left side of FIG. 2 represents the shape of the holder 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 5 has a cup shape having an insertion port into which the breast B is inserted. The outer shape of the holder 5 is a cylindrical shape extending in the z direction following the shape of the opening of the gantry 11 into which the holder 5 is inserted. The bottom surface of the cylindrical holder 5 is circular. This surface is an abutting surface that abuts against a stopper 11a described later. Further, the shape of the holder 5 is a bowl shape that is recessed in the z direction following the shape of the breast B of the subject M.

  The right side of FIG. 2 shows a state in which the holder 5 is attached to the subject M. As shown on the right side of FIG. 2, the holder 5 is attached to the subject M so that the breast B is covered with the insertion port of the holder 5. Since the holder 5 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, the state of the breast B inside the holder 5 can be confirmed when the holder 5 is attached to the subject M. Since the breast B is flexible, the breast B may be deformed when the holder 5 is attached to the subject M. Therefore, the breast B may not fit well inside the holder 5. According to the configuration of the first embodiment, since the holder 5 is transparent, it can be confirmed whether the breast B is accommodated in the holder 5 when the holder 5 is attached to the subject M. If the breast B does not fit in the holder 5 properly, the surgeon will re-mount the holder 5. However, since the holder 5 is transparent, this work does not require labor.

  The holder 5 has a belt 5a that fixes the cup-shaped holder body to the subject M (see the right side of FIG. 2). The holder 5 is securely fixed to the subject M by the belt 5a. When the belt 5a is fixed, the positional relationship between the holder 5 and the breast B of the subject M does not change any more. The belt 5a corresponds to the fixing means of the present invention.

  The holder 5 is provided with a marker 5m indicating the position of the detector ring 12 (see the left side of FIG. 2). This marker 5m represents the limit position of the visual field range of the radiation tomography apparatus. When the holder 5 is inserted into the gantry 11, the part below the marker 5 m of the holder 5 is positioned inside the detector ring 12. The marker 5m serves as an index for knowing whether the breast B is suitably accommodated in the holder 5. Furthermore, since the position of the bottom of the cup inside the holder 5 is the visual field range of the radiation tomography apparatus and the limit position on the side opposite to the marker 5m, the breast B protrudes beyond the visual field range. There is nothing. Further, since the cup has a substantially conical shape toward the center, the breast is positioned at the center of the detector ring 12 when the breast B is inserted into the gantry 11. Since the detector ring 12 has a characteristic that an image with higher resolution can be obtained as the subject is closer to the center, a more suitable image can be obtained.

  The gantry 11 is provided with a stopper 11 a that contacts the holder 5 and positions the gantry 11 and the holder 5. The stopper 11a will be described. The left side of FIG. 3 represents the outer shape of the stopper 11a. The stopper 11a has a dish-like shape having a cylindrical recess, and the outer surface of the stopper 11a has a cylindrical shape following the shape of the opening of the gantry 11, and the inner recess has the holder 5 It is a cylindrical shape following the shape of the outer shape. As shown in the right side of FIG. 3, the stopper 11 a is fixedly provided so as to close one end of the opening of the gantry 11. At this time, the stopper 11 a is provided in a direction in which the recess faces the inside of the opening of the gantry 11. At the opening of the gantry 11, the other end opposite to the one provided with the stopper 11a is open, and from here the holder 5 is inserted into the opening (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 4 shows the case where the breast B with the holder 5 is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11. In the configuration of the first embodiment, when the breast B is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11, the cylindrical holder 5 covering the breast B is inserted into the gantry 11. At this time, the circular contact surface of the holder 5 contacts the stopper 11a. More specifically, the contact surface of the holder 5 is inserted into the recess of the stopper 11a having a dish shape and contacts the bottom surface of the recess. At this time, the holder 5 is inhibited from moving by the cylindrical bank-shaped side wall that forms the recess of the stopper 11a, and the positional relationship between the stopper 11a and the holder 5 is uniquely determined.

  When the holder 5 is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11, the breast B does not contact the inner wall of the gantry 11. Therefore, when the breast B is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11, it does not deform by hitting the gantry 11. In other words, the breast B is inserted into the gantry 11 in a state where the shape is maintained by the mounting of the holder 5. Thereby, the breast B can be reliably accommodated in the visual field range of the detector ring 12.

  The shielding plate 13 is made of tungsten, lead, or the like (see FIG. 1). Since the radiopharmaceutical is also present in a portion other than the breast B of the subject M, an annihilation γ-ray pair is also generated therefrom. When an annihilation gamma ray pair generated from a part other than such a region of interest enters the detector ring 12, it interferes with tomographic imaging. Therefore, a ring-shaped shielding plate 13 is provided so as to cover one end of the detector ring 12 on the side close to the subject M in the z direction.

  The clock 19 sends time information as a serial number to the detector ring 12. The detection data output from the detector ring 12 is given time information indicating when the γ-ray is detected, and is input to the filter unit 20 described later.

  The configuration of the detector ring 12 will be described. The detector ring 12 is formed by arranging eight radiation detectors 1 in a virtual circle on a plane perpendicular to the z direction (center axis direction) to form one unit ring. Three unit rings are arranged in the z direction to form a detector ring 12.

  The configuration of the radiation detector 1 will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the radiation detector according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the radiation detector 1 includes a scintillator 2 that converts radiation into light, and a photodetector 3 that includes a photomultiplier tube that detects light. A light guide 4 for transmitting and receiving light is provided at a position where the scintillator 2 and the photodetector 3 are interposed.

The scintillator 2 is configured by scintillator crystals arranged three-dimensionally. The scintillator crystal is composed of Lu _{2 (1-X)} Y _2X SiO ₅ (hereinafter referred to as LYSO ₎ in which Ce is diffused. The light detector 3 can specify the light generation position of which scintillator crystal emits light, and also specifies the light intensity and the time when the light is generated. Can do. The scintillator 2 having the configuration of the first embodiment is merely an example of an aspect that can be adopted. Therefore, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this.

  Detection data output from the detector ring 12 is sent to the coincidence counting unit 21 (see FIG. 1) via a filter unit 20 described later. The two gamma rays simultaneously incident on the detector ring 12 are annihilation gamma ray pairs caused by the radiopharmaceutical in the subject. The coincidence counting unit 21 counts the number of times that an annihilation γ-ray pair is detected for every two combinations of scintillator crystals constituting the detector ring 12, and sends the result to the tomographic image generation unit 22. The coincidence of the detected data by the coincidence counting unit 21 uses time information given to the detected data by the clock 19.

  The filter unit 20 is provided for the purpose of preventing unnecessary data in the detector ring 12 from being sent to the coincidence unit 21. The filter unit 20 can thin out the detection data so as to reduce the load on the coincidence counting unit 21.

  The tomographic image generation unit 22 generates a tomographic image P when the opening of the detector ring 12 is cut along a certain plane based on the coincidence counting data output from the coincidence counting unit 21.

  The display unit 36 displays the tomographic image P generated by the tomographic image generation unit 22, and the console 35 allows the operator to input various operations performed on the radiation tomography apparatus 9. The storage unit 37 stores detection data output from the detector ring 12, coincidence counting data generated by the coincidence counting unit 21, data generated by the operation of each unit, such as the tomographic image P, and all parameters referred to in the operation of each unit. It is something to remember.

  The radiation tomography apparatus 9 includes a main control unit 41 that comprehensively controls each unit. The main control unit 41 is constituted by a CPU, and realizes the respective units 19, 20, 21, and 22 by executing various programs. In addition, each above-mentioned part may be divided | segmented and implement | achieved by the control apparatus which takes charge of them.

<Operation of radiation tomography system>
Next, the operation of the radiation tomography apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In order to perform examination of breast B with the radiation tomography apparatus of Example 1, first, holder 5 is attached to breast B of subject M to which a radiopharmaceutical has been administered (holder attachment step S1). At this time, the holder 5 is fixed to the subject M by the belt 5a, and the positional relationship between the holder 5 and the breast B is determined (see the right side of FIG. 2).

  Subsequently, the subject M is placed on the top 10 and the holder 5 is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11 through the hole in the top 10 (subject placement step S2). At this time, the shape of the breast B is maintained by the holder 5. The holder 5 also prevents the breast B from being deformed by hitting the inner wall of the gantry 11. And the holder 5 will be settled in the predetermined position in the gantry 11 by contact | abutting to the stopper 11a (refer FIG. 4).

  When the surgeon instructs to start tomographic imaging through the console 35, the detector ring 12 starts detecting the disappeared γ-ray pair (imaging start step S3). The tomographic image generation unit 22 generates a tomographic image P by imaging the detected annihilation gamma ray pair. The tomographic image P is displayed on the display unit 36, and the operation of the radiation tomography apparatus in Embodiment 1 is completed.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the holder 5 that holds the breast B is provided. Since the holder 5 is fixed to the subject M by the belt 5a, it does not deviate from the subject M during the examination. When the holder 5 is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11, the holder 5 comes into contact with the stopper 11a of the gantry 11 and further insertion is prohibited. Since the stopper 11 a positions the gantry 11 and the holder 5, the positions of the breast B of the subject M and the gantry 11 are determined through the holder 5. Further, since the breast B of the subject M does not hit the gantry 11 by being held by the holder 5, it is possible to prevent the breast B from being deformed when the breast B is introduced into the gantry 11. According to the present invention, since the breast B can be reliably accommodated in the opening of the gantry 11, it is possible to provide a radiographic apparatus for breast examination that can reliably acquire a tomographic image.

  Moreover, if the holder 5 is cup-shaped, the following two effects can be obtained. That is, (1) the tip of the breast does not protrude beyond the range of the detector ring 12, and the breast can be surely contained within the range of the detector ring 12. (2) The breast can be shaped so that the breast is in the most convenient (eg, highest resolution) position within the detector ring 12 (eg, the center of the detector ring 12). Therefore, when configured as described above, the breast B can be more preferably inserted into the opening of the gantry 11.

  If the holder 5 is transparent, the state of the breast B held by the holder 5 can be observed when the holder 5 is mounted on the subject M. By doing in this way, the breast B can be reliably held by the holder 5.

  If the stopper 11a is provided so as to block one end of the opening of the gantry 11 as described above, the stopper 11a is provided at a position that prevents the holder 5 from being inserted. Therefore, if comprised in this way, the holder 5 will contact | abut to the stopper 11a reliably.

  The positron emission tomography apparatus requires time for imaging. Therefore, re-imaging with such an apparatus places a heavy burden on the subject M, and therefore it is necessary to insert the breast B surely before imaging. If the present invention is applied to a positron emission tomography apparatus, the breast B can be reliably introduced into the detector ring 12, so that imaging is assured.

  Subsequently, another aspect of the present invention will be described. X-rays in the examples correspond to the radiation of the present invention. FPD is an abbreviation for flat panel detector. The X-ray tomography apparatus of the present invention is for breast examination. The X-ray tomography apparatus according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which X-rays emitted from an X-ray tube are transmitted through the breast B and imaged, and images a subject in a sitting position.

<Overall configuration of X-ray tomography apparatus>
First, the overall configuration of the X-ray tomography apparatus 29 according to the second embodiment will be described. The radiation tomography apparatus according to Embodiment 2 includes a gantry 11 having an opening for inserting the breast B of the subject M from the z direction as shown in FIG. The manner in which the breast B inserted into the opening of the gantry 11 is included in the holder 5 and the manner in which the holder 5 abuts against the stopper 11a are the same as in the configuration of the first embodiment (FIGS. 2, 3 and 3). 4).

  Inside the gantry 11, an X-ray tube 33 for irradiating X-rays and an FPD 34 for detecting X-rays are provided. X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 33 pass through the opening of the gantry 11 and reach the FPD 34. The X-ray tube 33 corresponds to the radiation source of the present invention, and the FPD 34 corresponds to the radiation detector of the present invention.

  The X-ray tube control unit 6 is provided for the purpose of controlling the X-ray tube 33 with a predetermined tube current, tube voltage, and pulse width. The FPD 34 detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 33 and transmitted through the subject M, and generates a detection signal. This detection signal is sent to the image generation unit 31, where a perspective image P0 in which a projection image of the subject M is reflected is generated. The tomographic image generation unit 32 generates a tomographic image P1 when the subject M is cut along an arbitrary tomographic plane based on the fluoroscopic image P0 generated by the image generation unit 31.

  The rotation of the X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34 will be described. The X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34 are integrally rotated around the central axis extending in the direction in which the opening of the gantry 11 into which the breast B is inserted is extended by the rotation mechanism 7. More specifically, the X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34 are rotationally moved while maintaining a relative positional relationship with each other as shown in FIG. At this time, the X-ray tube 33 rotates while drawing the locus of the virtual circle VC centered on the center point on the line segment connecting the X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34 by the rotation mechanism 7. A direction orthogonal to the virtual circle VC (paper surface penetration direction in FIG. 8: z direction) coincides with the extending direction of the opening of the gantry 11. The rotation control unit 8 is provided for the purpose of controlling the rotation mechanism 7.

  The display unit 36 is provided for the purpose of displaying a tomographic image P1 acquired by X-ray imaging. The console 35 is provided for the purpose of inputting an instruction such as an X-ray irradiation start by an experimenter. The main control unit 41 is provided for the purpose of comprehensively controlling each control unit. The main control unit 41 is constituted by a CPU, and realizes the control units 6 and 8 and the units 31 and 32 by executing various programs. Further, each of the above-described units may be divided and executed by an arithmetic device that takes charge of them. The storage unit 37 stores all parameters relating to control of the X-ray tomography apparatus 29 such as parameters used for imaging and intermediate images generated in accordance with image processing.

  Next, the operation of the X-ray tomography apparatus 29 will be described with reference to FIG. In order to perform an examination of the breast B with the X-ray tomography apparatus 29 according to the second embodiment, first, the holder 5 is mounted on the breast B of the subject M (holder mounting step S1). At this time, the holder 5 is fixed to the subject M by the belt 5a, and the positional relationship between the holder 5 and the breast B is determined.

  Subsequently, the subject M is placed on the X-ray tomography apparatus 29, and the holder 5 is inserted into the opening of the gantry 11 (subject placement step S2). At this time, the shape of the breast B is maintained by the holder 5. The holder 5 also prevents the breast B from being deformed by hitting the inner wall of the gantry 11. And the holder 5 will be settled in the predetermined position in the gantry 11 by contact | abutting to the stopper 11a.

  When the operator instructs the start of tomographic imaging through the console 35, the X-ray tube control unit 6 intermittently irradiates X-rays according to the irradiation time, tube current, and tube voltage stored in the storage unit 37. (Shooting start step S3). Meanwhile, the rotation mechanism 7 rotates the X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34. The FPD 34 detects X-rays that have passed through the subject M among X-rays irradiated by the X-ray tube 33, and sends detection data at this time to the image generation unit 31.

  The image generation unit 31 converts the detection data sent from the FPD 34 into an image, and generates a fluoroscopic image P0 in which the X-ray intensity is mapped. Since the FPD 34 sends detection data to the image generation unit 31 every time the X-ray tube 33 irradiates X-rays, the image generation unit 31 generates a plurality of fluoroscopic images P0. Each of the fluoroscopic images P0 includes an image of the breast B of the subject M having a different imaging direction.

  The fluoroscopic image P0 is sent to the tomographic image generation unit 32. The tomographic image generation unit 32 reconstructs a series of fluoroscopic images P0 having information related to the three-dimensional structure of the subject M by being photographed while changing the direction, and the subject having the body axis in the z direction. A tomographic image P1 in which the breast B of M is cut in a circle is generated. The tomographic image P1 is displayed on the display unit 36, and the operation of the X-ray tomography apparatus 29 in the first embodiment is completed.

  In the apparatus as described above, the amount of radiation emitted to the subject M must be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, in such an apparatus, it is not desirable to perform the imaging again in view of the safety of the subject M. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably insert the breast B at the time of imaging. If the present invention is applied to the above-described configuration, the breast B can be surely introduced into the gantry 11, so that photographing is safe.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be modified as follows.

  (1) According to the above-described configuration, the holder 5 is cup-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the holder 5 may be configured to have two plate members 5b that sandwich the breast B as shown in FIG. The plate member 5b is made of a transparent material, and is fixed so that the positional relationship is not changed when the breast B is sandwiched. By adopting such a configuration, the breast B sandwiched between the two plate members 5b has a flat shape, so that imaging can be performed even with little X-ray irradiation. Such a configuration is optimal for an X-ray imaging apparatus of a type that acquires a single fluoroscopic image. Since this type of apparatus does not generate a tomographic image, a mechanism for rotating the X-ray tube 33 and the FPD 34 is not necessarily required.

  (2) Although the first embodiment described above is a radiation tomography apparatus that causes the subject M to become a stomach on the top board 10, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a configuration may be adopted in which the sitting subject M is imaged.

  (3) In the above configuration, the present invention is applied to the positron emission tomography apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Instead of the positron emission tomography apparatus, a single photon ECT apparatus may be used. Further, the present invention may be applied to a positron emission tomography apparatus / single photon ECT apparatus having a flat panel detector, or to a nuclear magnetic resonance CT apparatus.

  (4) In the above-described configuration, the internal shape of the holder 5 can be changed according to the size of the breast B. Further, the outer shape of the holder 5 can be changed in accordance with the shape of the opening of the gantry 11.

  (5) In the first embodiment described above, the detector ring 12 is an O-shaped ring, but may instead be a C-shaped arc.

5 Holder 5a Belt (fixing means)
11 Gantry 11a Stopper 12 Detector ring 33 X-ray tube (radiation source)
34 FPD (radiation detector)

Claims (7)

A holder for holding the breast of the subject;
Fixing means for fixing the holder to the subject;
A gantry having an opening for inserting a retainer which is fixed to the subject by the fixing means,
A radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination, wherein the gantry is provided with a stopper for positioning the gantry and the holder by abutting against the holder to be inserted. The radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination according to claim 1,
The radiographic apparatus for breast examination, wherein the holder has a cup shape having an insertion port for inserting a breast. The radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination according to claim 1,
The said holder has two members which pinch | interpose a breast, The radiography apparatus for breast examination characterized by the above-mentioned. The radiographic apparatus for breast examination according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination, wherein the holder is transparent. In the radiography apparatus for breast examination according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination, wherein the stopper is provided so as to block one end of the opening of the gantry opposite to the side where the holder is inserted. The radiographic apparatus for breast examination according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A radiation detector for detecting radiation inside the gantry comprises a detector ring arranged in an arc,
A radiographic apparatus for breast examination, characterized by imaging a radiopharmaceutical distributed in the breast. The radiographic apparatus for breast examination according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A radiation source for irradiating the inside of the gantry and a radiation detector for detecting the radiation;
A radiation imaging apparatus for breast examination, which performs imaging by transmitting radiation emitted from the radiation source to a breast.

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