KR20100012612A - Mammographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mammographic device is provided to control the sensing area of X rays sensor to be various size by mounting a part of an X-ray senor in the X-ray mounting unit. CONSTITUTION: A mammography apparatus for an X-ray photography of breast comprises a main body(110), a rotating arm(120), an X rays optical source unit(130), and the X rays sensor unit. The rotating arm is connected to the main body. The rotating arm is rotated around the site connected to the main body. X rays optical source unit is installed in the upper end of the rotating arm in order to generate X rays. X rays sensor unit is installed in the bottom of the rotating arm. The X rays sensor unit detects X rays passing through the breast. The X rays sensor unit comprises the X rays sensor(150) detecting X rays and X rays sensor driving unit(152) varying the size of the sensing area.

Description

Mammographic device

The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus for X-ray imaging of a patient's breast for the diagnosis of breast cancer, and more particularly, by rotating the X-ray sensor or the X-ray sensor according to the patient's body type and imaging method The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus that can adjust the size to change the sensing area.

In general, mammography apparatuses, which are widely used in medical institutions, are X-ray imaging apparatuses used to diagnose breast carcinoma early, and a certain amount of X-rays are transmitted to the chest of a subject, and the amount of X-rays is transmitted to It is a device that acquires video in analog format by using.

Recently, in mammography apparatuses, a sensor is used instead of an X-ray photosensitive film, so that the development process of the X-ray photosensitive film is omitted, thereby improving convenience, such as checking an image in real time, and improving data storage and ease of handling. Research on good mammography devices is also actively underway.

The mammography apparatus has a structure in which a breast pressing member is positioned between an X-ray light source unit and an X-ray sensor unit. In the mammography method, the breast pressing member flattens the breast as much as possible after placing the breast on the X-ray sensor unit. I press it hard and shoot.

In this case, in most mammography equipment, the X-ray sensor unit basically uses a size of 24 cm × 29 cm to fit a western body shape.

As a method of photographing a breast using such a mammography apparatus, there are, for example, a Cranial Caudal (CC) method of photographing in the vertical direction and a MedioLateral-Obilique (MLO) method of photographing in a diagonal direction.

However, when the entire X-ray imaging of the breast is rarely used, the X-rays are distributed and irradiated due to unnecessary space of the X-ray sensor unit, thereby making it difficult to accurately detect data.

In addition, when one side of the X-ray sensor part inclined diagonally penetrates the patient's armpit during MLO imaging, it is difficult to position the patient and the X-ray sensor part is biased to one part so that it does not receive uniform X-ray irradiation. There is this.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above and the technical problems that have been requested from the past.

Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a mammography apparatus that can solve the discomfort of a patient occurring in a structure in which the size of the X-ray sensor unit is not appropriate, and can perform more accurate X-ray imaging.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a mammography apparatus that can rotate the X-ray sensor or adjust the sensing area of the X-ray sensor according to the patient's body shape and imaging method.

Mammography apparatus according to the present invention for achieving this object, a mammography apparatus for X-ray imaging of the breast, the body; A rotary arm connected to the main body and rotating about a portion connected to the main body; An X-ray light source unit provided at an upper end of the rotary arm to generate X-rays; And an X-ray sensor unit provided at a lower end of the rotary arm to detect X-rays generated by the X-ray light source and transmitted through the breast. The X-ray sensor unit includes an X-ray sensor for detecting X-rays and X-ray sensor driving means for varying the size of the sensing area by rotating the X-ray sensor about a rotation axis.

That is, the mammography apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray sensor rotatable in the lateral direction, and rotates according to the body shape and the imaging method of the patient to minimize the inconvenience of the patient by adjusting the size of the X-ray sensor. It can improve the convenience of shooting.

In one preferred example, the horizontal length of the X-ray sensor is made of 20 to 30 cm, the length of the length is 25 to 35 cm. When the X-ray sensor rotates 90 degrees in the lateral direction, the horizontal length is changed to 25 to 35 cm and the vertical length is 20 to 30 cm.

Between the X-ray light source unit and the X-ray sensor unit is located on the upper end of the rotary arm breast compression member having a lifting member installed to be lifted up and down in the vertical direction. Therefore, during X-ray imaging of the breast, the breast is placed between the X-ray sensor unit and the breast compressing member, and the breast compressing member is moved downward to compress the breast, and then X-ray imaging is performed.

The X-ray sensor unit may further include an X-ray sensor mounting unit in which a groove into which one end of the X-ray sensor is inserted is formed.

That is, the X-ray sensor is formed in a rectangular plate-like structure, the size of the groove portion of the X-ray sensor mounting portion is formed in such a size that one end is inserted when the X-ray sensor portion is rotated 90 degrees in the transverse direction.

Therefore, when the X-ray sensor is rotated and then inserted into the groove of the X-ray sensor mounting portion, the size of the sensing area of the X-ray sensor is reduced by the size inserted into the groove.

As described above, since the mammography apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray sensor that can be rotated vertically, the patient's discomfort can be achieved by rotating the X-ray sensor according to the patient's body shape and imaging method to adjust the direction. Can minimize and improve the convenience of shooting.

In addition, after the X-ray sensor is rotated, a part of the X-ray sensor is inserted into the X-ray sensor mounting portion, so that the sensing area of the X-ray sensor can be adjusted to various sizes, thereby more accurately by X-ray imaging. It provides the effect of performing data detection.

Hereinafter, although described with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, this is for easier understanding of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 schematically shows a mammography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mammography apparatus 100 includes a main body 110, a rotating arm 120, an X-ray light source unit 130, an X-ray sensor 150, an X-ray sensor driving means 152, and a breast compressing member. It is configured to include 160.

Specifically, the mammography apparatus 100 is connected to the rotary arm 120 on one side of the main body 110, the rotary arm connecting portion 122 of the structure capable of rotating the rotary arm 120 is located, the rotary arm ( An X-ray light source unit 130 for generating X-rays, an X-ray sensor 150 for detecting X-rays generated by the X-ray light source unit 130 and positioned under the X-ray light source unit 130 at the upper end of the X-ray light source unit 130 and a rotating arm X-ray sensor driving means 152 connecting the 120 and the X-ray sensor 150 and changing the direction of the X-ray sensor 150 by rotating the X-ray sensor 150 in the transverse direction about the rotation axis. It is configured to include.

An X-ray light source unit 130 for generating X-rays is positioned at the top of the front of the rotary arm 120, and the X-ray light source unit 130 is generated at the bottom of the front of the rotary arm 120 to pass through the patient's breast as an object. Since the X-ray sensor 150 for detecting the X-ray is located, the X-ray light source unit 130 and the X-ray sensor 150 has a structure arranged to face each other.

2A and 2B are enlarged schematic views of a process of rotating the X-ray sensor unit in the mammography apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to these drawings, the lower end of the rotary arm 120, the X-ray sensor driving means 152 for connecting the rotary arm 120 and the X-ray sensor unit 150 is connected.

The X-ray sensor driving means 152 rotates the X-ray sensor 150 vertically about the rotation axis to change the direction of the X-ray sensor 150 as shown in FIG. 2B.

Therefore, when the X-ray sensor 150 has a length of 24 cm and 29 cm, respectively, the X-ray sensor 150 rotates in the horizontal direction by the X-ray sensor driving means 152 and the length of the width and length is respectively. It will change to 29cm and 24cm.

On the other hand, when using the CC method for imaging the breast in the vertical direction is used as it is without rotating the X-ray sensor 150. However, when using the X-ray sensor 150 as it is in the case of MLO photographing in the diagonal direction, since the vertical length of the X-ray sensor 150 is long, one side of the X-ray sensor 150 to dig the armpit of the patient This makes it difficult to position the patient.

Therefore, when the patient's body shape is small or the MLO method of photographing in a diagonal direction is used, when the X-ray sensor 150 is rotated by the X-ray sensor driving means 152, the length of the X-ray sensor 150 is shortened. By forming the structure is made of a structure that can minimize the discomfort of the patient.

Referring back to FIG. 1, when the breast of the patient is photographed using the mammography apparatus 100 in an MLO manner, the rotation arm 120 is tilted in a 45 degree direction with respect to the rotation arm connecting portion 122 and X-rays. The light source 130, the X-ray sensor 150, and the breast compressing member 160 are simultaneously tilted in parallel in the same direction to form a structure of photographing in a diagonal direction.

Between the X-ray light source 130 and the X-ray sensor 150, the breast pressing member 160 having the elevating member 162 is positioned, and the patient stands on the mammography apparatus 100 during X-ray imaging for diagnosing breast cancer. When the hydraulic member 160 according to the height of the patient by the elevating member 162 is moved.

After that, when the patient places the breast on the X-ray sensor 150, the hydraulic pressing member 160 compresses the breast as flat as possible and takes the picture.

In general, X-ray imaging to diagnose breast cancer requires significant pressure to spread breast tissue so that the lesions of the breast are distinguished from normal structures. At this time, if the pressure is not properly applied, the amount of X-rays transmitted to the patient increases, and the mammogram is blurred, and accurate data detection is difficult.

Therefore, the breast pressing member 160 moving up and down by the elevating member 162 performs X-ray imaging while pressing the breast on the X-ray sensor 150 as much as possible.

3 schematically shows a mammography apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The mammography apparatus 101 of FIG. 3 further includes an X-ray sensor mounting portion 142, except that the structure of the X-ray sensor driving means 154 is different from that of the mammography apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. The rest of the components are the same as those of the mammography apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the same functions as those of the components of FIG. 1 have the same reference numerals, and accordingly, the X-ray imaging method for diagnosing breast cancer mentioned in the description of FIG. 1 is also the same in the mammography apparatus 101 of FIG. 3. Is performed.

4A, 4B, and 4C are enlarged schematic views of a process in which the X-ray sensor 150 is rotated and fixed to the X-ray sensor mounting unit 142 in the mammography apparatus 101 of FIG. 3.

Referring to these drawings, the X-ray sensor mounting unit 142 having a groove 144 is located at the lower front of the rotary arm 120, and the X-ray sensor connecting the X-ray sensor 150 to the X-ray sensor mounting unit 142. The drive means 154 is connected.

The X-ray sensor driving means 154 rotates the X-ray sensor 150 vertically about the rotation axis to change the direction of the X-ray sensor 150 as shown in FIG. 4B. In addition, the X-ray sensor driving means 154 has a structure 156 that can adjust the length, so that the X-ray sensor 150 can be inserted into the groove 144 of the X-ray sensor mounting portion 142.

The size of the groove 144 of the X-ray sensor mounting unit 142 is formed in such a size that one side portion of the X-ray sensor 150 can be inserted in response to the longitudinal length of the X-ray sensor 150 rotated in the lateral direction. .

When the horizontal and vertical lengths of the X-ray sensor 150 are 24 cm and 29 cm, respectively, when the X-ray sensor 150 rotates in the horizontal direction by the X-ray sensor driving means 154, the lengths of the horizontal and vertical lengths are 29 cm and It will change to 24cm.

In addition, when the X-ray sensor 150 is rotated and then inserted into the groove 144 provided in the X-ray sensor mounting unit 142, the length of the X-ray sensor 150 is reduced to 29 cm or less.

Therefore, the X-ray sensor 150 is the X-ray sensor mounting portion after the X-ray sensor 150 is rotated by the X-ray sensor driving means 154 when the body shape of the patient is small or MLO photographing in a diagonal direction After the insertion is inserted into the groove 144 formed at 142, the photographing is performed, and when the patient's body is large or the CC method photographing in the vertical direction, the photographing is performed without rotating the X-ray sensor unit 150.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

1 is a schematic diagram of a mammography apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

2A and 2B are enlarged schematics illustrating a process of rotating an X-ray sensor in the mammography apparatus of FIG. 1;

3 is a schematic diagram of a mammography apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

4A, 4B, and 4C are enlarged schematic diagrams illustrating a process in which the X-ray sensor is rotated and fixed to the X-ray sensor mounting unit in the mammography apparatus of FIG. 3.

Claims (6)

Mammography device for X-ray imaging of the breast, main body; A rotary arm connected to the main body and rotating about a portion connected to the main body; An X-ray light source unit provided at an upper end of the rotary arm to generate X-rays; And An X-ray sensor unit provided at a lower end of the rotary arm to detect X-rays generated by the X-ray light source and transmitted through the breast; Including; The X-ray sensor unit has a structure comprising an X-ray sensor for detecting the X-ray, and X-ray sensor driving means for varying the size of the sensing area by rotating the X-ray sensor around the rotation axis Device. The method of claim 1, The length of the horizontal of the X-ray sensor is 20 to 30 cm, the length of the vertical mammography apparatus, characterized in that 25 to 35 cm. The method of claim 1, And a breast compressing member positioned between the X-ray light source unit and the X-ray sensor unit, the breast compressing member having an elevating member disposed on the upper surface of the rotary arm so as to be displaced upward and downward. The method of claim 1, The X-ray sensor unit further comprises an X-ray sensor mounting unit having a groove into which one end of the X-ray sensor is inserted. The method of claim 4, wherein The X-ray sensor has a rectangular plate-like structure, the groove of the X-ray sensor mounting portion is a mammography apparatus, characterized in that a part of the X-ray sensor is inserted when the X-ray sensor is rotated in the lateral direction. The method of claim 5, Mammography apparatus, characterized in that the size of the sensing area of the X-ray sensor unit is reduced when the X-ray sensor unit is rotated and inserted into the groove provided in the rotary arm.

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