KR20130003271A - Multi function mammographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multifunctional mammographic apparatus is provided to take a picture of a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image. CONSTITUTION: A gantry(120) is connected to a main body(110). An X-ray generation part(130) is mounted on one end of the gantry. An X-ray detector(150) is prepared in a locating facing the X-ray generation part. An input part inputs a photographing mode. The control unit controls the gantry and X-ray detector according to the photographing mode. The first rotating part rotates the gantry and moves the gantry up and down. The pressurization part comprises a support panel(140b) and a pressurization panel(140a). The pressurization panel pressurizes breast on the support panel.

Description

Multi Function Mammographic Apparatus

The present invention relates to a multifunctional mammography apparatus, and more particularly, to a mammography apparatus capable of capturing not only two-dimensional images but also three-dimensional images by selecting an FFDM, DBT, and BCT photographing mode using one mammography apparatus.

In general, the mammography apparatus is an X-ray imaging apparatus used to diagnose breast cancer early. The mammography apparatus transmits a certain amount of X-rays to the chest of a subject and detects the amount of X-rays transmitted by using an X-ray photosensitive film, thereby diagnosing breast cancer. Acquire a two-dimensional image.

Recently, a mammography apparatus uses a method of acquiring a 2D image digitally using an image sensor instead of an X-ray photosensitive film. The mammography apparatus has a structure in which a breast pressing member is positioned between an X-ray generating unit and a digital X-ray detector. The mammography apparatus is provided so that the breast pressing member can press the breast and photograph the breast while the breast is positioned above the digital X-ray detector.

In general, a mammography apparatus includes a main body, a gantry, an X-ray generator, a pressure panel, and an X-ray detector.

The main body is composed of a rectangular box, and is provided with an input device for operating the mammography device and a display device for checking an image. The body also supports the gantry.

The gantry is provided to adjust the height according to the height of the subject on one side of the main body.

The X-ray generator is configured to generate X-rays having an X-ray source, and is positioned on the front upper side of the gantry so that the X-rays are irradiated vertically toward the X-ray detector where the patient's breast is located.

The press panel is provided between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, and is installed to be moved upward and downward through a guide groove formed along the longitudinal direction on the front surface of the gantry. The pressing panel provides a function of pressing the patient's breast to be in close contact with the upper surface of the X-ray detector provided at the lower front side of the gantry.

The X-ray detector converts X-rays generated by the X-ray generator and transmitted through the breast into an electrical signal to image the same.

In general, breast imaging for early diagnosis of breast cancer includes FFDM (Full Field Digital Mammography) mode, DBB (Digital Brest Tomosynthesis) mode, and BCT (Breast Computed Tomography) mode.

The FFDM mode is a method of early detection of breast cancer by acquiring 2D images, the DBT mode is a mode in which the X-ray generator is moved at an angle to increase the detection rate of mass that is difficult to identify in the FFDM mode, and the BCT mode is a DBT mode. In order to increase the three-dimensional information power by rotating the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detector more than a predetermined angle to form a three-dimensional shape, it is a mode to know the position information of the lesion in detail.

However, conventionally, one mammography apparatus does not implement each of the modes, but uses an individual mammography apparatus that operates for each mode to perform imaging for early breast cancer screening. Accordingly, since it is necessary to build a separate equipment for each operation mode, it is very uneconomical, and there was an inconvenience that the patient has to move for shooting in each mode.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, a mammography apparatus capable of capturing not only two-dimensional images but also three-dimensional images by selecting FFDM, DBT, and BCT photographing modes using one mammography apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the main body, a gantry connected to the main body so as to be movable up and down, an X-ray generator mounted on one end of the gantry and the X-ray detector provided at a position opposite to the X-ray generator A mammography apparatus comprising: input means for inputting a shooting mode; Control means for controlling the gantry and the X-ray detector according to the photographing mode; First rotating means provided in the main body and controlled by the control means to rotate the gantry and move the gantry up and down; And a press panel for pressing the breast of the patient at the center of the rotation radius of the gantry, the support panel positioned on the rotation axis line of the first rotation means, and the breast on the support panel to be movable up and down on the rotation axis. And pressurizing means including a pressurizing panel connected to the main body in a pressurized state and physically separated from the gantry.

Preferably, the photographing mode includes a first mode, a full field digital mammography (FFDM) mode, a second mode, a digital brace tomosynthesis (DBT) mode, and a third mode, a burst computed tomography (BCT) mode.

Preferably, the control means controls to irradiate X-rays while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are fixed when the first mode is selected, and when the second mode is selected, the X-ray detector is fixed. Controls to irradiate X-rays while rotating the X-ray generator by a first angle, and controls the X-rays while rotating the X-ray detector and the X-ray generator by a second angle when the third mode is selected.

Preferably, in the second mode, the X-ray detector is seated and fixed in the mounting groove of the support panel.

Preferably, the control means controls the CT sensor to be selected by the X-ray detector when the third mode is selected.

Preferably, when the second mode is selected, the control means controls the X-ray generator to move left and right by 14 degrees with respect to the central axis of the X-ray generator and the patient's breast.

Preferably, when the third mode is selected, the control means controls the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to rotate at least 185 degrees using the breast of the patient as the rotation axis.

Preferably, the X-ray detector, the mammography sensor provided on the first surface; The CT sensor provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface; And a lead-out board provided between the mammography sensor and the CT sensor.

Preferably, the X-ray detector further includes an X-ray shielding member for shielding the lead-out board in order to prevent damage and interference of the lead-out board by X-rays generated by the X-ray generator.

The present invention as described above, the gantry provided with the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector can be moved up and down while rotating the patient's breast as a rotation axis, by controlling the gantry according to each shooting mode, one mammoth By selecting FFDM, DBT, and BCT imaging modes using the imaging device, it is possible to acquire not only two-dimensional images but also three-dimensional images, and to establish medical examination equipment economically, and to provide a diagnostic effect without moving the patient. .

1 is a schematic view showing a multifunctional mammography apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a detailed block diagram of an X-ray detector unit according to the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a shooting state in the first mode (FFDM) according to the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining a photographing state in a second mode (DBT) according to the present invention.
5 is a view for explaining a photographing state in a third mode (BCT) according to the present invention;

The above objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar elements.

1 is a schematic view showing a multifunctional mammography apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an X-ray detector according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mammography apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a main body 110, a gantry 120, an X-ray generator 130, a pressing panel 140a, and a support panel ( 140b) and the X-ray detector 150.

The main body 110 is composed of a rectangular enclosure, an input device for manipulating the mammography device on a predetermined portion, a display device for checking a captured image, and controlling the driving of the gantry according to a selection mode. It includes a control module for controlling the X-ray detector. The main body 110 may be configured in various shapes. If the input device, the display device, and the control module are also connected to the main body, the main body 110 may be installed at a position separated from the main body. The main body 110 supports the gantry 120 so that the gantry 120 can be moved up and down as well as rotatable.

The gantry 120 is fixed to one side of the main body 110, is rotatably connected by a rotation axis mounted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main body 110, and is movable up and down by a sliding member. Connected. Accordingly, the gantry 120 is rotatable by a certain angle by the rotation axis, the rotation axis is connected to the sliding member is installed so as to be lifted and displaced in the longitudinal direction to the main body 110, the gantry 120 is the Lifting and displacement in the vertical direction along the longitudinal direction of the main body 110 can adjust the height appropriately according to the position of the subject.

The X-ray generator 130 includes an X-ray source and provides a function of generating X-rays. The X-ray generator 130 is provided on the front surface of the gantry 120. An X-ray blocking film (not shown) may be provided at a lower end of the X-ray generating unit 130 to slide upward and downward. Accordingly, the X-ray blocking film is appropriately adjusted according to the eye height of the patient, so that the eye of the patient is It can be protected from X-rays by the X-ray barrier. In addition, the X-ray generating unit 130 is provided with a collimator or the like provides a function to limit the X-rays to be emitted in a substantially vertical direction so that the X-rays are irradiated toward the X-ray detector 150.

The pressure panel 140a is positioned between the X-ray generator 130 and the X-ray detector 150 and is connected to a main body located at the rear of the gantry 120 to move upward and downward. It is provided at the bottom of the front of the gantry 120 to press the breast of the patient in close contact with the upper surface of the support panel 140b connected to the same line as the rotation axis.

The support panel 140b is positioned at the lower front side of the gantry 120 and provides a support for raising the patient's breast. The pressing panel 140a moves downward to pressurize the breast placed on the support panel 140b.

At this time, the pressing panel 140a and the supporting panel 140b are pressurized to the breast of the patient, and are located on the same line as the rotation axis, and should be configured not to rotate when the gantry 120 rotates. In other words, the support panel 140b is connected to the rotating shaft so that the gantry 120 does not rotate even while the gantry 120 rotates. The support panel 140b is preferably positioned on the same line as the rotation axis. In addition, the pressure panel 140a is physically separated from the gantry 120 and is configured not to rotate while the gantry 120 rotates. That is, when the gantry 120 rotates in a state where the pressing panel 140a presses the breast, the gantry corresponds so that the connecting shaft supporting the pressing panel 140a does not interfere with the rotation of the gantry 120. A portion having a sufficient size is provided, and the pressure panel 140a is connected to a support member connected to the main body so as to be movable up and down. Meanwhile, the pressing panel 140a and the supporting panel 140b are made of a material capable of transmitting X-rays.

The X-ray detector 150 provides a function of detecting and imaging X-rays generated by the X-ray generator 130 and transmitted through the breast of the patient. The X-ray detector 150 is mounted on an upper portion of the cradle which is integrally connected to the gantry 120, and rotates together at a position corresponding to the X-ray generating unit 130 when the gantry 120 rotates.

The X-ray detector 150 may optionally include a mammography sensor and a CT sensor formed on a surface opposite to the mammography sensor. The CT sensor is a surface sensor, and consists of a sensor two-dimensionally arranged unit pixels constituting the sensor. That is, the unit pixels form a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The CT sensor rotates around a fixed axis of rotation, is irradiated from the X-ray generator, and receives X-rays passing through the patient's breast to obtain an X-ray image of the ROI in the breast. The CT sensor is an area sensor having an image acquisition surface of a constant size that can acquire a two-dimensional X-ray image of the ROI at a time.

2 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an X-ray detector according to the present invention.

The X-ray detector 200 according to the present invention includes a first sensor 211 for first and second modes largely provided on a first surface, and a second sensor for a third mode provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface. 213 and between the first sensor 211 and the second sensor 213 to read image signals formed by the first and second sensors 211 and 213 or to read the first and second sensors. And a readout board 212 for controlling the sensor.

The first sensor 211 may be a mammography sensor, and the second sensor 213 may be a CT sensor. The lead-out board 212 is communicatively connected to the first and second sensors 211 and 213 to control the first and second sensors 211 and 213 and to control the first and second sensors 211 and 213. 213 reads the image signal generated by the 213 and transfers the image signal to a computer for processing the image.

Meanwhile, the lead-out board may be shielded by the X-ray shield member to prevent the lead-out board from being damaged by the X-ray radiated from the X-ray generator or to interfere with the circuit in the lead-out board.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second sensors 211 and 213 share one readout board 212. However, the first and second sensors 211 and 213 may include corresponding readout boards, respectively.

Here, the first mode is a full field digital mammography (FFDM) mode, the second mode is a digital brest tomosynthesis (DBT) mode, and the third mode refers to a burst computed tomography (BCT) mode.

The first mode (FFDM) is a mode in which the breast of the patient is pressed and photographed without moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector. In the second mode (DBT), only the X-ray generator is moved at an angle while the X-ray detector is not moved. This is a mode for photographing the patient's breast.

Therefore, the mammography apparatus according to the present invention for the second mode is configured such that the X-ray generator can be rotated at an angle in the gantry. As another method, a mounting groove for mounting the X-ray detector may be provided in the support panel 140b for the second mode, and after the X-ray detector is seated in the mounting groove, the gantry may be rotated by an angle. have. Preferably, the latter may be configured as the latter.

In the third mode BCT, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector simultaneously rotate a predetermined angle to obtain a 2D image in a predetermined direction, and then implement the 3D image using the 2D image. Thus, for the third mode, the mammography apparatus is configured to prevent the patient's breast from being rotated while being in the same line as the axis of rotation, and to rotate the gantry provided with the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector at an angle.

As such, for the third mode, first, the operation mode of the mammography apparatus is set to the third mode. Accordingly, the CT sensor of the X-ray detector 150 is positioned above the X-ray generator to receive X-rays radiated from the X-ray generator. Automatic and manual methods can be used to direct the CT sensor upwards. The manual method may be performed by an operator of the mammography apparatus by manipulating the X-ray detector 150 so that the CT sensor is positioned above. The automatic operation may include a sensing circuit for sensing the position of the sensor and a driving circuit for rotating the X-ray detector, such that the CT sensor is directed upward by automatically rotating the X-ray detector according to a set mode. As described above, a technique for automatically setting the X-ray detector may be easily implemented by those skilled in the art using conventional techniques, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

As described above, after the CT sensor of the X-ray detector is manipulated to be positioned above, the gantry 120 is moved up and down so that the patient's breast is positioned on the support panel 140b. In this state, the pressing panel 140a is moved to press the breast located above the supporting panel 140b. X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray generator while rotating the gantry 120 at least a certain angle. Accordingly, the X-ray generator 130 and the X-ray detector 150 rotate in a corresponding position, and the X-ray detector 150 acquires images of breasts in various directions. As described above, the 3D image may be realized by using the 2D image obtained by rotating the lens at an angle.

In the description of the present invention, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are rotated by using a C-arm gantry as in the related art, but using a circular gantry and a pressure panel and a support connected to the main body at the center of the circular gantry It is also possible to configure the panel to be located. Such modification of the gantry will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The driving unit for rotating the gantry, the driving unit for moving the gantry in the vertical direction, and the driving unit for rotating the X-ray detector may be configured separately.

The control module (not shown) controls the driving unit (not shown) as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 according to the operation mode (first mode to third mode) selected by the operator, and senses the X-ray detector. Control the kind.

3 is a view for explaining a recording operation in the first mode (FFDM) according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a view for explaining a shooting operation in the second mode (DBT) according to the present invention, Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a photographing operation in a third mode BCT according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the first mode is selected, the control module captures the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector in a fixed state. At this time, the patient's breast may be pressed by the pressure panel.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second mode is selected, the control module (not shown) may control the X-ray generating unit within a first angle range with respect to the breast of the patient (preferably the center of the X-ray generating unit and the breast of the patient). X-rays are irradiated while rotating at 14 degrees (left and right about the axis). At this time, the X-ray detector is fixed. To this end, the X-ray detector may be mounted on the support panel of FIG. 2, and the distance between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector may be adjusted by moving the gantry up and down.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the third mode is selected, the control module (not shown) uses the gantry provided with the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to have a second angle or more (preferably 185 degrees) around the breast of the patient. Irradiate X-ray while rotating.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second mode DBT indicates that the distance between the X-ray generator and the breast of the patient is farther than that of the third mode BCT.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by.

Claims (9)

A mammography apparatus comprising a main body, a gantry connected to the main body so as to be movable up and down, an X-ray generator mounted at one end of the gantry, and an X-ray detector provided at a position opposite to the X-ray generator.
Input means for inputting a shooting mode;
Control means for controlling the gantry and the X-ray detector according to the photographing mode;
First rotating means provided in the main body and controlled by the control means to rotate the gantry and move the gantry up and down; And
Pressing the breast on the support panel to press the breast of the patient in the center of the rotation radius of the gantry, the support panel located on the axis of rotation of the first rotation means, and to move up and down on the axis of rotation And pressing means including a pressing panel connected to the main body in a physically separated state from the gantry.
The method of claim 1,
The shooting mode,
A multifunction mammography apparatus comprising a first mode, a full field digital mammography (FFDM) mode, a second mode, a digital brest tomosynthesis (DBT) mode, and a third mode, a burst computed tomography (BCT) mode.
The method of claim 2,
Wherein,
When the first mode is selected, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are fixed to control X-ray irradiation.
When the second mode is selected, the X-ray detector is controlled to be irradiated with X-rays while the X-ray generator is rotated by a first angle while the X-ray detector is fixed.
And the third mode is selected to control X-ray irradiation while rotating the X-ray detector and the X-ray generator by a second angle.
The method of claim 3, wherein
In the second mode, the X-ray detector is mounted in the mounting groove of the support panel is fixed multifunctional mammography apparatus.
The method of claim 3, wherein
Wherein,
And a CT sensor selected by the X-ray detector when the third mode is selected.
The method of claim 3, wherein
Wherein,
When the second mode is selected, the multi-function mammography apparatus for controlling the X-ray generator to move 14 degrees to the left and right relative to the central axis of the X-ray generator and the patient's breast.
The method of claim 3, wherein
Wherein,
And the third mode is selected, wherein the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector control the rotation of the patient's breast to be 185 degrees or more.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The X-ray detector,
A mammography sensor provided on the first surface;
The CT sensor provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface; And
Mammography apparatus comprising a lead-out board provided between the mammography sensor and the CT sensor.
The method of claim 8,
The X-ray detector,
Mammography apparatus further comprises an X-ray shielding member for shielding the lead-out board in order to prevent damage and interference of the lead-out board by the X-ray generated by the X-ray generator.

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