JP6127928B2 - Breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for obtaining nuclear medicine data of a breast of a subject based on radiation generated from the subject to which a radiopharmaceutical is administered.

  As the above-described nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus, that is, an ECT (Emission Computed Tomography) apparatus, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus will be described as an example. The PET apparatus is configured to reconstruct a tomographic image of a subject only when a plurality of photons generated by annihilation of positrons, that is, positrons, are detected and the photons are detected simultaneously by a plurality of detectors.

  Specifically, a radiopharmaceutical containing a positron emitting nuclide is administered into a subject, and a 511 KeV pair annihilation photon released from the administered subject is detected by a group of detection elements (for example, scintillators). Detect with instrument. And if two detectors detect photons within a certain period of time, they are detected at the same time, and are counted as a pair of annihilation photons. Further, the point of occurrence of annihilation is identified as a straight line of the detected detector pair. To do. By accumulating such coincidence information and performing reconstruction processing, a positron emitting nuclide distribution image (ie, a tomographic image) is obtained.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a whole body PET apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the subject M is inserted into the opening 101 a of the gantry 101, and a tomographic image (PET image) of the subject M can be acquired by the detector 102 embedded in the gantry 101. By administering a radiopharmaceutical that easily accumulates in a specific lesion to the subject M, when the subject M has the lesion, the lesion appears as a high pixel value on the PET image and can be identified. . Therefore, when the imaging target is a breast, breast cancer can be identified by acquiring a tomographic image (PET image) of the breast of the subject M.

  However, if a breast is to be imaged using a whole-body PET apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, the detector cannot be brought close to the breast and a detailed image cannot be obtained. Therefore, a breast-only PET apparatus (also referred to as “mammo PET apparatus”) has been devised in which the imaging object is dedicated to the breast. Insert the breast of the subject in the prone position (prone) into the opening of the bed, and press the breast of the subject in the sitting position with a flat plate from above and below for imaging. “Prone-type, breast-only PET device” for imaging, or “sitting-type, for breast-extruded subject breasts inserted into a ring-shaped or box-type detector unit” A breast dedicated PET apparatus "is known. In the flat plate compression type breast dedicated PET apparatus, the breast can be brought close to the detector by compression, and a detailed image can be obtained.

  However, in the case of a flat plate compression type breast dedicated PET apparatus, the breast is compressed, so there is a disadvantage of feeling pain. On the other hand, in the case of a prone-type / dedicated breast PET apparatus or a sitting-type / dedicated PET apparatus, the breast can be brought close to the detector by gravity, and the breast is not compressed, so that the patient feels pain in the breast. Imaging can be performed without any problem.

  Usually, in order to obtain a tomographic image, a PET apparatus has a plurality of detectors arranged in an annular shape (more precisely, an n-gon). This is because information about all angles with respect to the tomographic direction is collected (projection data obtained thereby is called “complete projection data”), and an image is reconstructed. However, when a plurality of detectors are arranged side by side in a ring (ring shape) and a breast is inserted into the ring, the chest, shoulder, and abdomen usually come into physical contact with the ring-shaped detector unit. As a result, breast cancer recurrent sites around the breast (for example, the base of the breast on the body side, chest wall, axillary lymph nodes, etc.) do not fall within the imaging field, or even if they enter, the imaging field is barely visible.

  In view of this, the present applicant has proposed a detector unit in which a frequently-occurring portion of breast cancer in the periphery of the breast is placed in the imaging field of view by providing a missing portion without intentionally arranging the detector in a ring shape. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Usually, PET inspection takes about 10 minutes. Therefore, not only a change in the posture due to the breathing of the subject but also a shift in the image may occur due to the subject's posture being changed unexpectedly by a long-time examination. Therefore, body motion correction (for example, body motion correction) for correcting the body motion of the subject has been developed.

  Also, apart from the field of nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment, a technique for fixing a whole body device related to image diagnosis using X-rays with a holder so that the infant does not move around when the imaging target is an infant is known ( For example, see Patent Document 2).

International Publication No. WO2008-081525 JP 2006-197966 A

  In many breast-only PET devices, in order to prevent respiratory movement from becoming a problem, it is easy to compress the breast like the flat plate type mentioned above or use gravity etc. like the above-mentioned prone type or sitting type. The subject is pressed against the device so that the breast does not move during the examination. However, each method has a problem that it is difficult to return to the original state once the subject has moved. In addition, in order to improve the reproducibility with the previous examination, it is necessary for the engineer to instruct and assist the setting of the subject in the vicinity of the subject, and there is a problem that the exposure of the engineer is not a little.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus that can be set by the subject himself and can prevent the breast from moving. And

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for obtaining nuclear medicine data of a subject's breast based on radiation generated from a subject to which a radiopharmaceutical is administered, An arm for supporting the arm in a state in which an arm closer to the breast is inserted into the detector unit in order to image the breast in order to include a detector unit configured by arranging a plurality of detectors for detecting the radiation Characterized in that it comprises a mounting base, has a structure in which a finger of the arm is hung on a part of the arm mounting base, and has a pressure applying mechanism for an arm that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm or elbow of the arm supporting base. To do.

  [Operation / Effect] According to the diagnostic nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for breasts according to the present invention, since the arm closer to the breast (to be imaged) is inserted into the detector unit, other parts (eg, feet) of the subject are moved. Even if the part moves, the breast itself is difficult to move. In addition, the above-described detector unit includes an arm mount that supports the arm in a state where the arm closer to the breast (to be imaged) is inserted, and a structure in which a finger of the arm is hung on a part of the arm mount. The hand can be fixed by placing the finger on the subject himself / herself. As a result, the subject himself / herself can set and the breast can be prevented from moving.

Further, the forearm of the person that supports the arm base described above, comprising an arm for pressure applying mechanism applying pressure to the inside of the upper arm or elbow, that the subject by its arms for pressure application mechanism is inserted deeply into the breast to the detector unit Assists and makes it easier to fix the forearm, upper arm or elbow.

  In the above-described nuclear breast medical diagnosis apparatus according to these inventions, it is preferable to include a back pressure applying mechanism that applies pressure to the back of the subject. The posture in which the back muscle of the subject is extended by the pressure application mechanism for the back helps the subject to deeply insert the breast into the detector unit while maintaining the posture for a long time.

  The above-described breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes an imaging auxiliary control mechanism that performs control for assisting imaging of the breast based on data obtained from the monitoring mechanism that monitors the subject. By providing an imaging assistance control mechanism, the technician can assist imaging of the breast by remote control based on data obtained from the monitoring mechanism without instructing and assisting the subject setting near the subject. it can. Therefore, the exposure of engineers is reduced. It should be noted that the monitoring mechanism is not an arrangement provided in the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus but an external apparatus.

  An example of the imaging assistance control mechanism is to perform control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the above-described arm rest. When the imaging auxiliary control mechanism automatically operates the arm rest, setting by the subject regarding the arm rest is reduced.

  Another example of the imaging assistance control mechanism is to perform control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the above-described arm pressure applying mechanism. The imaging auxiliary control mechanism automatically operates the arm pressure applying mechanism, thereby reducing the setting by the subject regarding the arm pressure applying mechanism.

  Still another example of the imaging assistance control mechanism is to perform control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the above-described back pressure applying mechanism. The imaging auxiliary control mechanism automatically operates the back pressure applying mechanism, thereby reducing the setting by the subject regarding the back pressure applying mechanism.

  An example of each imaging auxiliary control mechanism may be combined with each other. For example, the imaging auxiliary control mechanism may automatically operate all of the arm rest, the arm pressure applying mechanism, and the back pressure applying mechanism. Further, the imaging auxiliary control mechanism may automatically operate the arm mount and the arm pressure applying mechanism, may automatically operate the arm mount and the back pressure applying mechanism, or may apply the arm pressure applying. The mechanism and the pressure application mechanism for the back may be automatically operated.

  The above-described imaging assistance control mechanism automatically assists in imaging of the breast. However, in the above-described breast-dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to these inventions, even when configured to manually assist in imaging of the breast. Good. For example, an output mechanism that outputs data obtained from a monitoring mechanism that monitors the subject may be provided. By viewing the output result of the data, the technician can image the breast by remote control without having to instruct and assist the subject setting near the subject. Can assist. Therefore, the exposure of engineers is reduced. It should be noted that the monitoring mechanism is an external device, not a configuration provided in the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, as described in the imaging auxiliary control mechanism. Further, both of the imaging assistance control mechanism and the output mechanism may be provided to automatically assist breast imaging and to manually assist breast imaging.

According to the breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, the above-described detector unit is provided with the arm mount that supports the arm in a state where the arm closer to the breast (to be imaged) is inserted, and part of the arm mount With the structure in which the finger of the arm is hung on the subject, the hand can be fixed by placing the finger on the subject himself / herself. As a result, the subject himself / herself can set and the breast can be prevented from moving.
In addition, an arm pressure applying mechanism that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow that is supported by the arm mount described above is used to allow the subject to insert the breast deeply into the detector unit. Assists and makes it easier to fix the forearm, upper arm or elbow.

1 is a schematic view of a breast dedicated PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a breast dedicated PET apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a whole body PET apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a breast dedicated PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the breast dedicated PET apparatus according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, a PET apparatus will be described as an example of a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a breast-only PET apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an annular (ring-shaped) detector unit 2 that images a breast of a subject M in a sitting position, and a ring-shaped detector unit 2. And an arm rest 3 for supporting the arm with the arm closer to the breast inserted. The breast-only PET apparatus 1 corresponds to the breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus in the present invention, the detector unit 2 corresponds to the detector unit in the present invention, and the arm table 3 corresponds to the arm table in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the detector unit 2 is configured by arranging a plurality of detectors (not shown) for detecting photons generated from the subject M in a ring shape. Further, in order to take an image of the breast, the detector unit 2 is provided with a hole having an inner diameter extending from the shoulder on the arm side to which the arm closer to the breast can be inserted to the base of the breast on the body side.

  Therefore, when the right breast is imaged, the arm closer to the right breast is the right arm. Therefore, by inserting the right arm into the detector unit 2, the shoulder (right shoulder) portion on the right arm side is changed to the body side. Each detector surrounds the base of the breast. With this configuration, the tissue around the right breast, represented by the base of the breast on the right body side, near the right shoulder, the right chest wall, and the right axillary lymph node, is set at the center of the visual field. Similarly, when imaging the left breast, the arm closer to the left breast is the left arm, and therefore, by inserting the left arm into the detector unit 2, the shoulder (left shoulder) portion on the left arm side is changed to the body side. Each detector surrounds the base of the breast. With this configuration, the tissue around the left breast represented by the base of the breast on the left body side, near the left shoulder, the left chest wall, the left axillary lymph node, and the like is set at the center of the visual field.

  In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the detector unit 2 is in the range of 300 mm to 400 mm so that the arm can be inserted, but is not limited to this range. What is necessary is just to design the internal diameter of the detector unit 2 suitably in order to respond | correspond to an extremely thick arm and an extremely thin arm.

  In this embodiment, the detector unit 2 is thus installed in a ring shape and vertically (with respect to the arm to be inserted), but the configuration of the detector unit 2 is the same as that of this embodiment. It is not limited to. Any structure can be used as long as the arm can be inserted.

  As shown in the top view of FIG. 1 (b), the arm rest 3 has a structure for hanging the finger of the inserted arm. In the case of FIG.1 (b), the arm stand 3 consists of the elbow mounting part 31 which puts the elbow of the inserted arm, and the grating | lattice part 32 which puts the palm of the inserted arm. The elbow rest portion 31 and the lattice portion 32 are integrally configured (illustration of the integrated configuration is omitted).

  The lattice portion 32 is configured by arranging a plurality of cylindrical lattices so that fingers are not caught. In this embodiment, two or more cylindrical lattices are arranged on the left and right sides (three in each case on the left and right in FIG. 1B). Thereby, the gap between the elbow rest portion 31 and the lattice portion 32 and the gap between adjacent lattices of the lattice portion 32 are total, and the same number as the number of lattices on the left and right sides (three on the left and right in FIG. 1B), respectively. Become. By arranging a plurality of grids in this way, the depth of the finger and the position of the grid can be set so that the subject M fits itself even if there are individual differences in the length of the forearm.

  Further, since the lattice is cylindrical, it is easy to put a finger on it and it is difficult to apply pressure to the finger to be put on. Of course, the lattice itself is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Moreover, it is not necessary to penetrate between lattices, and the lattice itself may have a groove, and a finger may be hung on the groove.

  When imaging the right breast, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the right arm is inserted into the detector unit 2, and the inserted right arm finger (that is, the right finger) is placed on the opposing left lattice portion 32. Hang on. Similarly, when imaging the left breast, as shown in the top view of FIG. 1 (c), the left arm is inserted into the detector unit 2, and the inserted left arm finger (that is, the left finger) faces each other. It hangs on the right lattice part 32.

  In addition, the breast-only PET apparatus 1 uses the elbow of the arm opposite to the inserted arm (the left arm when imaging the right breast and the right arm when imaging the left breast) on the back of the subject M. An arm mount 4 placed on the side, an arm airbag 5 (see FIG. 1 (b) or FIG. 1 (c)) that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm or elbow to be supported by the arm mount 3, and a subject And a back airbag 6 that applies pressure to the back of M. The arm airbag 5 corresponds to the arm pressure applying mechanism in the present invention, and the back airbag 6 corresponds to the back pressure applying mechanism in the present invention.

  The arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6 are inflated at least during setting and imaging, whereby the arm airbag 5 applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm or elbow, and the back airbag 6 Pressure is applied to the back of the subject M. The arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6 may always be inflated. Further, the pressure (air amount) in the arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6 based on a fluoroscopic image of the subject M by a camera C (see a side view of FIG. 1A and FIG. 2) described later. May be automatically variably controlled, or the subject M may manually adjust the pressure (air amount) in the arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a camera C is installed outside the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1, and the subject M is monitored by monitoring a fluoroscopic image of the subject M in real time. As described in the section “Means for Solving the Problems”, it should be noted that the monitoring mechanism represented by the camera C or the like is not an arrangement provided in the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1 but an external apparatus. The camera C corresponds to the monitoring mechanism in the present invention.

  In addition, the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1 includes a controller 7, an input unit 8, an output unit 9, a memory unit 10, a coincidence circuit 11 and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 12. The controller 7 corresponds to the imaging auxiliary control mechanism in the present invention, and the output unit 9 corresponds to the output mechanism in the present invention.

  The controller 7 comprehensively controls each part constituting the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The controller 7 includes a central processing unit (CPU). In the present embodiment, the controller 7 performs control for assisting imaging of the breast based on the data (perspective image) obtained from the camera C. Then, the controller 7 operates the arm rest 3, the arm airbag 5, and the back airbag 6 based on the data (perspective image) obtained from the camera C.

  The input unit 8 sends data and commands input by the engineer to the controller 7. The input unit 8 includes a pointing device represented by a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a trackball, a touch panel, and the like.

  The output unit 9 includes a display unit represented by a monitor, a printer, and the like. In this embodiment, the data (perspective image) obtained from the camera C is output and displayed on the monitor of the output unit 9 so that the engineer can confirm the setting of the subject M through the monitor.

  The memory unit 10 includes a storage medium represented by a ROM (Read-only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and the like. In the present embodiment, data relating to coincidence such as a count value (count) simultaneously counted by the coincidence circuit 11 and a detector pair composed of two detectors simultaneously counted, or the breast of the subject M that has been subjected to arithmetic processing by the GPU 12 The nuclear medical data (PET image) is written and stored in the RAM, and is read from the RAM as necessary. The ROM stores in advance a program for performing various control processes (for example, imaging assistance control) and image processes (for example, tomographic image processing), and the program is executed by the controller 7 and the GPU 12. Control processing and image processing corresponding to each are performed.

  Next, imaging settings will be described. In order to take an image of the breast, the arm closer to the breast is inserted into the detector unit 2 to perform an examination. The arm opposite to the inserted arm is extended to the elbow rest 4 on the back side of the subject M. On the other hand, the inserted arm is extended to the arm rest 3 and the elbow of the inserted arm is placed on the elbow rest 31 of the arm rest 3. The elbow is bent at about 90 degrees with the elbow rest 31. Since the length of the upper arm varies from person to person, the angle of the elbow to be bent according to the length is an acute angle or an obtuse angle. At this time, if the elbow rest 31 is processed so that the upper arm is horizontal to the ground, the length of the upper arm hardly changes with age and body shape after adulthood, so the reproducibility of the setting becomes high. .

  Then, the palm of the inserted arm can be placed on the lattice portion 32 of the arm rest 3 and a finger can be placed on any of the cylindrical lattices. As described above, the length of the forearm can be set so that the subject M itself fits the depth of the finger and the position of the lattice even if there are individual differences.

  In the case of automatically assisting imaging of the breast, the data (fluoroscopic image) obtained from the camera C is sent to the controller 7, and the controller 7 performs control for assisting imaging of the breast based on the data (fluoroscopic image). . Specifically, when the controller 7 automatically operates the arm rest 3 based on the fluoroscopic image, for example, the height and the horizontal position of the arm rest 3 are automatically variably controlled. Further, the controller 7 automatically operates the arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6 based on the fluoroscopic image, so that, for example, the pressure (air amount) in the arm airbag 5 and the back airbag 6 is reduced. Automatic variable control. As described above, when the setting is automatically performed, the exposure of the engineer due to the setting does not occur.

  Further, when manually assisting imaging of the breast, data (fluoroscopic image) obtained from the camera C is sent to the output unit 9 via the controller 7, and the data (fluoroscopic image) is sent to the monitor of the output unit 9. By displaying the output, the engineer confirms the setting of the subject M through the monitor and assists in imaging of the breast. For example, after the engineer confirms the setting of the subject M through the monitor, the engineer gives a voice instruction to the subject M. In this way, when the subject M can set the subject M only by voice instruction from the engineer, the exposure of the engineer due to the setting does not occur. In addition, the fluoroscopic image at a certain point is output and printed on the printer of the output unit 9 (imaging by the camera C), so that the technician confirms the setting of the subject M based on the result of the output printing and images the breast. You may help.

  By inflating the arm airbag 5 and applying pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow, the subject M can be set in a state of being held by the arm airbag 5. Therefore, since the subject M himself can adjust the degree of adhesion to the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1, pain or the like hardly occurs. Furthermore, by inflating the back airbag 6 and applying pressure to the back of the subject M, the back muscles are easily stretched and the posture can be easily maintained for a long time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixation can be easily released by releasing the hand holding the lattice portion 32, so that the subject M can also release the fixation by himself / herself from the breast dedicated PET apparatus 1 even in the case of an emergency detachment. You can leave safely.

  When the imaging setting is completed, photons generated from the subject to which the radiopharmaceutical has been administered are converted into light by the scintillator block (not shown) of the detector (not shown) of the detector unit 2, and the photoelectrons of the detector are increased. A double tube (not shown) performs photoelectric conversion and outputs an electrical signal. The electric signal is sent to the coincidence circuit 11 as an event. Only when photons are incident on the scintillator blocks of two detectors on opposite sides at the same time (within a fixed time), the sent event is determined as appropriate data. When a photon is incident only on one scintillator block, the coincidence circuit 11 rejects it. That is, the coincidence circuit 11 detects that photons are simultaneously observed (that is, coincidence) in the two detectors based on the above-described electrical signal.

  The GPU 12 obtains a tomographic image (PET image) of the breast of the subject M by performing reconstruction processing such as a successive approximation method using the simultaneously counted data. In this manner, nuclear medicine data (PET image) of the breast of the subject M is obtained based on the photons generated from the subject M to which the radiopharmaceutical has been administered.

  According to the breast-only PET apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the arm closer to the breast (to be imaged) is inserted into the detector unit 2, the other part (for example, the foot) of the subject M is moved or the Even if the part moves, the breast itself is difficult to move. In addition, the above-described detector unit 2 is provided with an arm mount 3 that supports the arm in a state where the arm closer to the breast (to be imaged) is inserted, and a structure in which a finger of the arm is hung on a part of the arm mount 3 ( Here, by providing the lattice portion 32), the subject M himself / herself can hold his / her finger to fix the hand. As a result, the subject M can set it and the breast can be prevented from moving.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable to provide an arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5 in the present embodiment) that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow that is supported by the arm mount 3 described above. The arm pressure application mechanism (arm airbag 5) assists the subject M in deeply inserting the breast into the detector unit 2 and facilitates fixing of the forearm, upper arm or elbow.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable to include a back pressure applying mechanism (in this embodiment, the back airbag 6) that applies pressure to the back of the subject M. The subject M inserts the breast deeply into the detector unit 2 while maintaining the posture for a long time with the posture in which the back muscle of the subject M is extended by the pressure application mechanism for the back (back airbag 6). To help.

  In this embodiment, an imaging assistance control mechanism that performs control for assisting imaging of the breast based on data (a fluoroscopic image in this embodiment) obtained from a monitoring mechanism (camera C in this embodiment) that monitors the subject M. (Controller 7) is preferably provided. By providing the imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7), the engineer himself / herself does not instruct and assist the setting of the subject M in the vicinity of the subject M, and the data (transparent image) obtained from the monitoring mechanism (camera C). Based on this, breast imaging can be assisted by remote control. Therefore, the exposure of engineers is reduced.

  The imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) performs control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the above-described arm table 3 (for example, variable control of the height and horizontal position of the arm table 3). The imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) automatically operates the arm rest 3 so that the setting by the subject M regarding the arm rest 3 is reduced.

  Further, the imaging assist control mechanism (controller 7) controls the imaging of the breast by operating the above-described arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5) (for example, variable pressure in the arm airbag 5). Control). The imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) automatically operates the arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5), thereby reducing the setting by the subject M regarding the arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5). To do.

  The imaging assistance control mechanism (controller 7) controls the imaging of the breast by operating the above-described back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6) (for example, variable pressure in the back airbag 6). Control). The imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) automatically operates the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6), thereby reducing the setting by the subject M regarding the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6). To do.

  The imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) may automatically operate all of the arm rest 3, the arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5), and the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6). Further, the imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) may automatically operate the arm rest 3 and the arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5), or the arm rest 3 and the back pressure applying mechanism (back). The airbag 6) may be automatically operated, or the arm pressure applying mechanism (arm airbag 5) and the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6) may be automatically operated. .

  In this embodiment, an output mechanism (in this embodiment, an output unit 9) that outputs data (perspective image) obtained from a monitoring mechanism (camera C) that monitors the subject M is provided. The engineer sees the output result of the data (fluoroscopic image), and the engineer himself / herself near the subject M in the same manner as when the imaging assistance control mechanism (controller 7) automatically assists in imaging of the breast. The imaging of the breast can be assisted by remote operation without instructing / assisting the setting. Therefore, the exposure of engineers is reduced. In the case of the present embodiment, the imaging auxiliary control mechanism (controller 7) automatically assists in imaging of the breast, and the output mechanism (output unit 9) manually assists in imaging of the breast, thereby imaging the breast. It combines both automatic assistance and manual assistance in breast imaging.

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

  (1) In the above-described embodiments, a PET apparatus is taken as an example of a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus. However, the present invention detects a single photon and regenerates a tomographic image of a subject (here, a breast). The present invention can also be applied to a SPECT (Single Photon Emission CT) apparatus.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made by taking the annular (ring-shaped) detector unit as an example. However, as long as the arm can be inserted, the detector unit does not necessarily have the ring shape. For example, in the case of the above-described breast-specific SPECT apparatus, the present invention can also be applied to a detector unit configured by arranging detectors facing each other across an arm.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the arm pressure applying mechanism (the arm airbag 5 in the embodiment) that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow supported by the arm mount is provided. It is not necessary to provide the providing mechanism (arm airbag 5). Further, the arm pressure applying mechanism is not limited to the airbag as long as it is a mechanism that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow that is supported by the arm rest. The arm pressure application mechanism is composed of a mechanically driven cushion, a ball or a pole formed of an elastic body typified by polyurethane or rubber, and the subject M is held by the cushion, the ball or the pole. Good. Further, as a pressure application mechanism for the arm, a structure surrounding the forearm or the upper arm at 360 degrees like a blood pressure monitor may be adopted, and the forearm or the upper arm may be fixed by inflating from 360 degrees. However, when a structure for fixing the forearm or upper arm, such as a sphygmomanometer, is adopted as the pressure application mechanism for the arm, it can be fixed stably, but the subject at the time of emergency withdrawal is from the breast nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. Since it is impossible to leave safely, an emergency release button is required.

  (4) Although the above-described embodiment includes the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6 in the embodiment) that applies pressure to the back of the subject, the back pressure applying mechanism (back airbag 6) is not necessarily provided. It is not necessary to have. Further, as long as it is a mechanism that applies pressure to the back of the subject, as described in the arm pressure applying mechanism, the back pressure applying mechanism is not limited to the airbag. A mechanically driven cushion and a ball or pole made of an elastic material typified by polyurethane or rubber constitute the back pressure application mechanism, and the subject leans against the cushion, ball or pole while stretching his back. You may do it.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, imaging assistance control that performs control to assist imaging of the breast based on data (a fluoroscopic image in the embodiment) obtained from a monitoring mechanism (camera C in the embodiment) that monitors the subject. A mechanism (a controller 7 in the embodiment) and an output mechanism (an output unit 9 in the embodiment) for outputting the data (fluoroscopic image) are provided, but the engineer himself / herself near the subject without monitoring the subject. You may instruct and assist the setting of the specimen. Further, the controller (CPU) has been described as an example of the imaging auxiliary control mechanism. However, a programmable device (for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate) that can change a hardware circuit (for example, a logic circuit) to be used internally according to program data has been described. The imaging auxiliary control mechanism may be configured by Array)).

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the camera C is taken as an example of the monitoring mechanism for monitoring the subject. However, the monitoring mechanism is not limited to the camera C as long as the mechanism monitors the subject. For example, the monitoring mechanism may be configured by a contact sensor or a pressure sensor, and the subject may be monitored by grasping the contact sensor or the pressure sensor during the examination. Further, the monitoring mechanism may be provided in the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus.

  (7) Although the above-described embodiment includes the elbow rest on which the elbow of the arm opposite to the inserted arm is placed on the back side of the subject, the elbow rest is not necessarily required. In addition, a structure (ball or pole formed of an elastic body typified by polyurethane or rubber as described above) that can be held or grasped by an arm opposite to the inserted arm may be provided. .

  As described above, the present invention is suitable not only for a breast dedicated PET apparatus but also for a breast dedicated SPECT apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PET apparatus only for breasts 2 ... Detector unit 3 ... Arm mounting stand 32 ... Lattice part 5 ... Arm airbag 6 ... Back airbag 7 ... Controller 9 ... Output part C ... Camera M ... Subject

Claims (7)

A breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for obtaining nuclear medicine data of a subject's breast based on radiation generated from a subject administered with a radiopharmaceutical,
While comprising a detector unit configured by arranging a plurality of detectors for detecting the radiation,
In order to take an image of the breast, the detector unit includes an arm stand that supports the arm in a state where the arm closer to the breast is inserted,
It has a structure to hang a finger of the arm on a part of the arm stand ,
A dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for breasts, comprising an arm pressure applying mechanism that applies pressure to the inner side of the forearm, upper arm, or elbow supported by the arm table . The breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus for breasts, comprising a back pressure applying mechanism for applying pressure to the back of the subject. The breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
A breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus comprising an imaging auxiliary control mechanism that performs control for assisting imaging of the breast based on data obtained from a monitoring mechanism that monitors the subject. In the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3 ,
The breast-only nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus, wherein the imaging auxiliary control mechanism performs control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the armrest. In the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 ,
The breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, wherein the imaging assistance control mechanism performs control to assist imaging of the breast by operating the arm pressure applying mechanism. In the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 ,
A back pressure applying mechanism for applying pressure to the back of the subject;
The breast-only nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus, wherein the imaging auxiliary control mechanism performs control for assisting imaging of the breast by operating the back pressure applying mechanism. In the breast dedicated nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A breast-only nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus comprising an output mechanism that outputs data obtained from a monitoring mechanism that monitors the subject.

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