JP2009207562A - X-ray photography equipment and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

Translated fromJapanese

【課題】撮影時に被験者が乳房に感じる痛みを低減させたＸ線撮像装置及びＸ線撮像方法を提供することを課題とする。
【解決手段】本発明に係るＸ線撮像装置は、被験者Ｗの乳房Ｎが撮影面に当接する撮影台２２と、乳房Ｎに当接し撮影面２０に向けて乳房Ｎを押圧する正面側圧迫板部５０及び奥側圧迫板部５１と、を備えている。正面側圧迫板部５０は乳房Ｎの付根側部分を押圧し、奥側圧迫板部５１は乳房Ｎの先端側部分を押圧する。正面側圧迫板部５０及び奥側圧迫板部５１に加えられる各力はそれぞれ制御されている。
【選択図】図４An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method in which pain felt by a subject during imaging is reduced.
An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging table 22 on which a breast N of a subject W abuts on the imaging surface, and a front side compression plate that abuts on the breast N and presses the breast N toward the imaging surface 20. Part 50 and the back side compression board part 51 are provided. The front side compression plate portion 50 presses the root side portion of the breast N, and the back side compression plate portion 51 presses the tip side portion of the breast N. Each force applied to the front-side compression plate portion 50 and the back-side compression plate portion 51 is controlled.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

Translated fromJapanese

本発明は、医療用のＸ線撮像装置及びＸ線撮像方法に関する。  The present invention relates to a medical X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method.

現在の医療機器業界は、様々な社会背景により、競合の参入が激しく様々な機器が開発されている。こういった医療機器業界の競合の増加や成熟に伴い、従来よりも被験者にとって快適な装置の開発が求められている。  In the current medical device industry, various devices have been developed due to intense competition due to various social backgrounds. As the competition in the medical device industry increases and matures, there is a demand for the development of a device that is more comfortable for the subject than before.

このような装置の一つとして、乳がんの早期発見などを目的として被験者の乳房を撮像するＸ線撮像装置（マンモグラフィ）が挙げられる（例えば特許文献１〜４参照）。近年、ＣＲによるカセッテを利用したＸ線受像装置から、ＦＰＤを利用した直接デジタル画像を取得するＸ線受像装置が開発され、医療現場の更なる電子化、ネットワーク化だけでなく装置自体の開発自由度が促進されている。このようにＦＰＤでカセッテレスが実現されたことにより、Ｘ線撮像装置では、撮影台の厚みが従来よりも薄くなるなどの技術進歩が見られている。
特開２００２−２１９１２４号公報ＵＳ５７０６３２７ＵＳ２００５／００６３５０９ＵＳ６５７７７０３One example of such an apparatus is an X-ray imaging apparatus (mammography) that images a subject's breast for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer (see, for example,Patent Documents 1 to 4). In recent years, X-ray receivers that directly acquire digital images using FPD have been developed from X-ray receivers that use cassettes by CR, and the development of the device itself is free as well as further digitization and networking in the medical field. The degree is promoted. As described above, since the cassette telescope is realized by the FPD, in the X-ray imaging apparatus, technical progress has been seen such that the thickness of the imaging stand becomes thinner than before.
JP 2002-219124 A US5706327 US2005 / 0063509 US6577703

ところで、Ｘ線撮像装置では、乳房が圧迫されて痛みを伴うことにより検診率が伸び悩んでいる。このため、被験者の痛みを低減して快適に受診できるようにすることが求められていた。特に乳がんの手術後の被験者は、健常者よりもセンシティブに痛みを感じるので、この要望が強く出されている。  By the way, in the X-ray imaging apparatus, the screening rate is sluggish because the breast is compressed and painful. For this reason, it has been required to reduce the pain of the subject so that the patient can be comfortably consulted. In particular, since the subject after the operation for breast cancer feels pain more sensitively than a healthy person, this demand is strongly expressed.

本発明は、上記事実を考慮して、撮影時に被験者が乳房に感じる痛みを低減させたＸ線撮像装置及びＸ線撮像方法を提供することを課題とする。  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method in which pain felt by a subject at the time of imaging is reduced.

請求項１に記載の発明は、被験者の乳房が撮影面に当接する撮影台と、乳房に当接し前記撮影面に向けて乳房を押圧する圧迫板と、を備え、前記圧迫板が２つ以上に分割されて複数の圧迫板部で構成され、前記圧迫板部に加えられる各力がそれぞれ制御されていることを特徴とする。  The invention described inclaim 1 includes an imaging table on which a subject's breast abuts on the imaging surface, and a compression plate that abuts on the breast and presses the breast toward the imaging surface, wherein two or more compression plates are provided. It is divided into a plurality of compression plate portions, and each force applied to the compression plate portions is controlled.

請求項１に記載の発明では、被験者が乳房を撮影台の撮影面に当接させる。この状態で、圧迫板を撮影面に向けて移動させることにより圧迫板が乳房を撮影面に押圧する。  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the subject brings the breast into contact with the imaging surface of the imaging table. In this state, the compression plate presses the breast against the imaging surface by moving the compression plate toward the imaging surface.

ここで、圧迫板が２つ以上に分割されて複数の圧迫板部で構成されており、撮影時では各圧迫板部に加えられる各力がそれぞれ制御されている。従って、大きな力で押圧する必要がある乳房部分に当接する圧迫板部には大きな力を加え、小さな力で押圧してもよい乳房部分に当接する圧迫板部には小さな力を加えることができる。これにより、不要な力で押圧される乳房部分が生じることを回避でき、被験者が感じる痛みが大幅に低減する。なお、通常、大きな力で押圧する必要がある乳房部分は付根側部分であり、小さな力で押圧してもよい乳房部分は先端側部分（乳首側部分）である。  Here, the compression plate is divided into two or more and is composed of a plurality of compression plates, and each force applied to each compression plate is controlled at the time of photographing. Therefore, a large force can be applied to the compression plate portion that contacts the breast portion that needs to be pressed with a large force, and a small force can be applied to the compression plate portion that contacts the breast portion that may be pressed with a small force. . Thereby, it can avoid that the breast part pressed with unnecessary force arises, and the pain which a test subject feels reduces significantly. Normally, the breast part that needs to be pressed with a large force is the root side part, and the breast part that may be pressed with a small force is the tip side part (nipple side part).

請求項２に記載の発明は、ＭＬＯ撮影が可能な装置であって、ＭＬＯ撮影時では、乳房付根側上部、乳房付根側下部、乳房先端側上部、及び、乳房先端側下部の４箇所をそれぞれ押圧するように、前記圧迫板が４つに分割されて４つの前記圧迫板部が設けられていることを特徴とする。  The invention according to claim 2 is an apparatus capable of MLO imaging, and at the time of MLO imaging, each of the four locations of the breast root side upper part, the breast root side lower part, the breast tip side upper part, and the breast tip side lower part, respectively. The pressing plate is divided into four so as to be pressed, and four pressing plate portions are provided.

これにより、ＭＬＯ撮影時で最も痛みを感じ易い乳房部分での痛みを効率的に低減させることができる。  Thereby, it is possible to efficiently reduce pain at the breast portion where pain is most easily felt during MLO imaging.

請求項３に記載の発明は、被験者の乳房を撮影台の撮影面に押圧し、Ｘ線を照射して撮影するＸ線撮像方法であって、乳房を所定の押圧力分布で押圧した状態にして撮影することを特徴とする。  The invention described in claim 3 is an X-ray imaging method in which a subject's breast is pressed against the imaging surface of the imaging table and X-rays are irradiated to perform imaging, wherein the breast is pressed with a predetermined pressure distribution. It is characterized by shooting.

請求項３に記載の発明では、大きな力で押圧する必要がある乳房部分には大きな力で押圧し、小さな力で押圧してもよい乳房部分には小さな力で押圧することが可能になる。これにより、被験者が感じる痛みが大幅に低減する。  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to press the breast portion that needs to be pressed with a large force with a large force and press the breast portion that may be pressed with a small force with a small force. This greatly reduces the pain felt by the subject.

請求項４に記載の発明は、乳房の付根側を大きな力で、乳房の先端側を小さな力で、それぞれ押圧することを特徴とする。  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the base side of the breast is pressed with a large force and the distal end side of the breast is pressed with a small force.

Ｘ線撮像装置で撮影する際、通常、大きな力で押圧する必要がある乳房部分は付根側部分であり、小さな力で押圧してもよい乳房部分は先端側部分である。従って、請求項４に記載の発明により、簡易な押圧力分布で痛み低減に関して大きな効果を奏することができる。  When imaging with an X-ray imaging apparatus, the breast portion that normally needs to be pressed with a large force is the root portion, and the breast portion that may be pressed with a small force is the tip side portion. Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to achieve a great effect on pain reduction with a simple pressure distribution.

本発明によれば、撮影時に被験者が乳房に感じる痛みを低減させたＸ線撮像装置及びＸ線撮像方法が実現される。  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the X-ray imaging device and X-ray imaging method which reduced the pain which a test subject feels in a breast at the time of imaging | photography are implement | achieved.

以下、実施形態を挙げ、本発明の実施の形態について説明する。なお、第２実施形態以下では、既に説明した構成要素と同様のものには同じ符号を付して、その説明を省略する。  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

［第１実施形態］
まず、第１実施形態について説明する。図１は、本実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置（マンモグラフィ）１０の斜視図である。Ｘ線撮像装置１０は、立位状態の被験者Ｗ（図４参照）の乳房をＸ線で撮影する装置であり、ＣＣ（頭尾方向。（Ｃｒａｎｉｏ＆＃８７２２；Ｃａｕｄａｌ））撮影とＭＬＯ（内外斜位方向。Ｍｅｄｉａｌ−Ｌａｔｅｒａｌ−Ｏｂｌｉｑｕｅ）撮影との両者を行うことができる装置である。[First Embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging apparatus (mammography) 10 according to the present embodiment. TheX-ray imaging apparatus 10 is an apparatus that images the breast of a standing subject W (see FIG. 4) with X-rays. CC (head-to-tail direction (Cranio − Caudal)) imaging and MLO (inner / outer oblique) This is a device that can perform both of the lateral direction (Medium-Lateral-Oblique) imaging.

Ｘ線撮像装置１０は、装置正面側に設けられた側面視略コの字状の測定部１２と、測定部１２を背後から支える基台部１４と、を備えている。測定部１２には、背面側に延び出して基台部１４に回動可能に支えられている回動軸１６が設けられており、回動軸１６が基台部１４に支えられることによって測定部１２が基台部１４に回動可能に支えられている。  TheX-ray imaging apparatus 10 includes a substantially U-shapedmeasurement unit 12 provided on the front side of the apparatus and abase unit 14 that supports themeasurement unit 12 from behind. Themeasurement unit 12 is provided with arotation shaft 16 that extends to the back surface and is rotatably supported by thebase portion 14. Measurement is performed by therotation shaft 16 being supported by thebase portion 14. Thepart 12 is rotatably supported by thebase part 14.

測定部１２は、立位の被験者Ｗ（患者）の乳房Ｎ（図３、図４参照）に当接する平面状の撮影面２０が形成された撮影台２２と、Ｘ線管球（図示せず）が設けられて撮影面２０に向けて検査用のＸ線を照射する放射線照射部２４と、乳房Ｎを撮影面２０に押し付ける正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７と、撮影台２２と放射線照射部２４と正面側押圧部２６と奥側押圧部２７とを保持する保持部２８と、を備えている。保持部２８は、撮影面２０と放射線照射部２４とが所定間隔離れるように撮影台２２と放射線照射部２４とを保持している。そして、保持部２８は、正面側押圧部２６と撮影面２０との間隔、及び、奥側押圧部２７と撮影面２０との間隔がそれぞれ可変であるように、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７を個別にスライド移動可能に保持している。  Themeasurement unit 12 includes an imaging table 22 on which aplanar imaging surface 20 that abuts a breast N (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of a standing subject W (patient) and an X-ray tube (not shown). ) To irradiate X-rays for examination toward theimaging surface 20, a front-side pressingunit 26 and a back-side pressingunit 27 that press the breast N against theimaging surface 20, and the imaging table 22. Aholding unit 28 that holds theradiation irradiation unit 24, the front-side pressingunit 26, and the back-side pressingunit 27 is provided. Theholding unit 28 holds the imaging table 22 and theradiation irradiation unit 24 so that theimaging surface 20 and theradiation irradiation unit 24 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. And the holding |maintenance part 28 is the frontside press part 26 and the back side so that the space | interval of the frontside press part 26 and the imaging |photography surface 20 and the space | interval of the backside press part 27 and the imaging |photography surface 20 are each variable. Thepressing portions 27 are individually slidably held.

撮影台２２には、ＣＣ撮影時に被験者Ｗが両手でそれぞれ把持する一対のハンドル４０が、撮影面２０の放射線照射部側に一体的に形成されている。ハンドル４０を構成し被験者Ｗによって握られる握り部４２は、撮影面２０の法線に対し被験者側とは反対側（すなわち被験者にとって奥側）に傾斜した略直棒状部とされ、撮影面２０に近づくに従い、被験者Ｗの側に徐々に近くなっている。なお、このハンドル４０は軟部材で構成されている。また、撮影台２２には、ＣＣ撮影時には被験者Ｗ（図４参照）の乳房Ｎよりも下方の胸部分を当接させる胸壁当接部３０を正面側（被験者側）に有する。胸壁当接部３０の正面側は平面状とされている。また、撮影台２２の内部には、撮影面２０を通過した放射線が照射される放射線検出器（図示せず）が配置されている。  A pair ofhandles 40 that the subject W grips with both hands at the time of CC imaging are integrally formed on the imaging table 22 on the radiation irradiation unit side of theimaging surface 20. Thegrip portion 42 that constitutes thehandle 40 and is gripped by the subject W is a substantially straight rod-shaped portion that is inclined to the opposite side to the subject side (that is, the back side for the subject) with respect to the normal line of theimaging surface 20. As it gets closer, it gradually approaches the subject W side. Thehandle 40 is made of a soft member. In addition, the imaging table 22 has a chestwall abutting portion 30 on the front side (subject side) that abuts a chest part below the breast N of the subject W (see FIG. 4) during CC imaging. The front side of the chestwall contact portion 30 is flat. A radiation detector (not shown) that emits radiation that has passed through theimaging surface 20 is disposed inside the imaging table 22.

図２〜図４に示すように、正面側押圧部２６は、乳房Ｎに当接する正面側当接部４４と、正面側当接部４４から奥側（被験者側とは反対側）に延び出している正面側延出し部４６とを備えている。撮影台２２には、一対のハンドル４０の間に、正面側延出し部４６の奥側端部を支えて移動させる支持部３６（図１参照）が設けられており、正面側延出し部４６は支持部３６によって駆動される。奥側押圧部２７も、乳房Ｎに当接する奥側当接部４５と、奥側当接部４５から奥側に延び出している奥側延出し部４７とを備えている。奥側延出し部４７も支持部３６によって駆動される。そして、支持部３６は、正面側延出し部４６及び奥側延出し部４７を個別にスライド移動可能なように保持している。  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the front-sidepressing portion 26 extends from the front-side contact portion 44 that contacts the breast N and the front-side contact portion 44 to the back side (the side opposite to the subject side). The frontside extending part 46 is provided. The imaging table 22 is provided with a support portion 36 (see FIG. 1) between the pair ofhandles 40 for supporting and moving the rear side end portion of the frontside extension portion 46, and the frontside extension portion 46. Is driven by asupport 36. The backside pressing part 27 also includes a backside contact part 45 that contacts the breast N and a backside extension part 47 that extends from the backside contact part 45 to the back side. The backside extension part 47 is also driven by thesupport part 36. And thesupport part 36 is hold | maintaining so that the frontside extension part 46 and the backside extension part 47 can be slid separately.

正面側当接部４４は、平面視で略コの字状となっており、図２に示すように、胸壁当接部３０と平行な正面部４８と、正面部４８の下端縁から奥側に延び出し乳房Ｎを圧迫する正面側圧迫板部５０と、正面部４８の両側端から奥側にそれぞれ延び出す側部５２、５４と、を有する。正面側圧迫板部５０の奥側の端縁５０Ｅの位置は、乳房Ｎの付根側の部分を押圧する上で好ましい位置とされている。従って、正面側圧迫板部５０の奥側方向長さＬＢ（図３参照）は、側部５２、５４の奥側方向長さＬＳ（図３参照）に比べて短い。  The frontside contact portion 44 has a substantially U shape in plan view, and as shown in FIG. 2, thefront portion 48 parallel to the chestwall contact portion 30 and the lower end edge of thefront portion 48 from the back side. A front-sidecompression plate portion 50 that extends inward and compresses the breast N, andside portions 52 and 54 that respectively extend from both side ends of thefront portion 48 to the back side. The position of theend edge 50E on the back side of the front sidecompression plate portion 50 is a preferable position for pressing the root side portion of the breast N. Therefore, the rear side length LB (see FIG. 3) of the front sidecompression plate portion 50 is shorter than the rear side length LS (see FIG. 3) of theside portions 52 and 54.

奥側押圧部２７は、図２に示すようにトレイ状である。奥側当接部４５は、奥側延出し部４７の正面側端部に固定された背面部４９と、背面部４９の下端縁から正面側に延び出し乳房Ｎを圧迫する奥側圧迫板部５１と、背面部４９の両側端からそれぞれ延び出すとともに及び奥側圧迫板部５１の撮影台幅方向Ｖの両側端からそれぞれ延び出す側部５３、５５とを有する。奥側圧迫板部５１の正面側の端縁５１Ｅの位置は、正面側圧迫板部５０の奥側の端縁５０Ｅの位置に合わせて決められており、乳房Ｎの先端側の部分を押圧する上で好ましい位置とされている。  The backside pressing portion 27 has a tray shape as shown in FIG. The back-side contact portion 45 includes aback surface portion 49 fixed to the front-side end portion of the back-side extending portion 47 and a back-side compression plate portion that extends from the lower end edge of theback surface portion 49 to the front side and compresses the breast N. 51 andside portions 53 and 55 extending from both side ends of theback surface portion 49 and extending from both side ends of the backcompression plate portion 51 in the imaging table width direction V, respectively. The position of thefront edge 51E of theback compression plate 51 is determined in accordance with the position of theback edge 50E of thefront compression plate 50, and presses the distal end portion of the breast N. This is the preferred position above.

また、奥側延出し部４６は、ＣＣ撮影時における平面視で奥側当接部４４の中央位置から延び出している。正面側延出し部４６は、ＣＣ撮影時における平面視で奥側延出し部４７の両サイド側に位置するように２つの延出し部分４６Ａ、４６Ｂで構成されている。この構成により、撮影面２０の中央を通過し撮影面２０と直交するとともに撮影台幅方向Ｖにも直交する中心平面Ｍ（図１参照）に対して、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７は何れも面対象形状になっている。従って、正面側延出し部４６によって正面側当接部４４に左右均等に押圧力を与えることができるとともに、奥側延出し部４７によって奥側当接部４５に左右均等に押圧力を与えることができる構造になっている。  Moreover, the backside extension part 46 is extended from the center position of the backside contact part 44 by planar view at the time of CC imaging | photography. The front-side extending portion 46 is composed of two extendingportions 46A and 46B so as to be positioned on both sides of the back-side extending portion 47 in a plan view during CC photography. With this configuration, the front-sidepressing part 26 and the back-side pressing part with respect to a central plane M (see FIG. 1) that passes through the center of theimaging surface 20 and is orthogonal to theimaging surface 20 and also orthogonal to the imaging table width direction V. 27 is a surface target shape. Accordingly, the front-side extending portion 46 can apply a pressing force to the front-side contact portion 44 evenly to the left and right, and the back-side extending portion 47 can apply a pressing force to the back-side contact portion 45 evenly to the left and right. It has a structure that can.

基台部１４には制御部５８が設けられており、この制御部５８は、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７でそれぞれ乳房Ｎを設定された押圧力で押圧するように、正面側延出し部４６及び奥側延出し部４７に加える力をコントロールしている。撮影時には、肉厚が厚い乳房付根側では大きな力で押圧する必要があり、一方、肉厚が薄い乳房先端側では小さな力で押圧しても高精度で撮影することができる。このため、本実施形態では、正面側押圧部２６を押圧する設定押圧力は大きく、奥側押圧部２７を押圧する設定押圧力は小さい。  Thebase unit 14 is provided with acontrol unit 58, which controls the front side so that the breast N is pressed with a set pressing force by the frontside pressing unit 26 and the backside pressing unit 27. The force applied to theextension part 46 and the backside extension part 47 is controlled. At the time of imaging, it is necessary to press with a large force on the side of the breast where the wall thickness is thick. On the other hand, even when pressed with a small force on the side of the breast where the wall thickness is thin, high-accuracy imaging can be performed. For this reason, in this embodiment, the set pressing force for pressing the frontside pressing portion 26 is large, and the setting pressing force for pressing the backside pressing portion 27 is small.

（作用、効果）
以下、本実施形態の作用、効果について説明する。なお、説明の都合上、ＣＣ撮影で説明を行うが、ＭＬＯ撮影でも同様の作用、効果である。(Function, effect)
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described. In addition, for convenience of explanation, explanation will be given with CC photography, but the same operation and effect are obtained with MLO photography.

図４に示すように、被験者Ｗは、ＣＣ撮影で検診を受ける際、Ｘ線撮像装置１０の撮影面２０に乳房Ｎを当接させる。この状態でＸ線撮像装置１０を撮影モードにすると、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７が撮影面２０に向けて移動する。  As shown in FIG. 4, the subject W brings the breast N into contact with theimaging surface 20 of theX-ray imaging apparatus 10 when undergoing a medical examination by CC imaging. When theX-ray imaging apparatus 10 is set to the imaging mode in this state, the front-sidepressing unit 26 and the back-sidepressing unit 27 move toward theimaging surface 20.

正面側当接部４４が乳房Ｎの付根側部分に当接して更に押圧し、支持部３６が正面側押圧部２６に加える力が設定押圧力に到達すると、制御部５８のコントロールにより正面側押圧部２６の移動が停止する。そして、奥側押圧部２７の移動がまだ続く。  When the frontside abutting portion 44 abuts against the root side portion of the breast N and further presses, and the force applied to the frontside pressing portion 26 by thesupport portion 36 reaches the set pressing force, the front side pressing is controlled by the control of thecontrol portion 58. The movement of thepart 26 stops. And the movement of the backside press part 27 still continues.

奥側当接部４５が乳房Ｎの先端側部分に当接して更に押圧し、支持部３６が奥側押圧部２７に加える力が設定押圧力に到達すると、制御部５８のコントロールにより奥側押圧部２７の移動が停止する。この状態でＸ線撮像が行われる。  When the backside abutting portion 45 abuts against the distal end portion of the breast N and further presses, and the force applied to the backside pressing portion 27 by thesupport portion 36 reaches the set pressing force, the back side pressing is controlled by the control of thecontrol portion 58. The movement of theunit 27 stops. X-ray imaging is performed in this state.

以上説明したように、本実施形態のＸ線撮像装置１０では、乳房Ｎを押圧する圧迫板として、２つに分割された正面側当接部４４及び奥側当接部４５が設けられている。そして、撮影時では、肉厚が厚い乳房付根側を押圧する正面側当接部４４には大きな押圧力Ｆ１（図４参照）が加わり、肉厚が薄い乳房先端側を押圧する奥側当接部４５には小さな押圧力Ｆ２（図４参照）が加わる。従って、乳房全体が均一な厚みとなるように押圧する従来に比べ、被験者Ｗが感じる痛みを大幅に低減させることができる。  As described above, in theX-ray imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the front-side contact portion 44 and the back-side contact portion 45 that are divided into two are provided as compression plates that press the breast N. . At the time of imaging, a large pressing force F1 (see FIG. 4) is applied to the frontside contact portion 44 that presses the thick breast root side, and the back side contact that presses the thin breast tip side. A small pressing force F2 (see FIG. 4) is applied to theportion 45. Therefore, the pain felt by the subject W can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case where the entire breast is pressed so as to have a uniform thickness.

また、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７の押圧力をそれぞれ制御する制御部５８が設けられていて、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７に加える押圧力が予め設定されている。これにより、正面側当接部４４及び奥側当接部４５の何れについても、設定した押圧力で押圧することが確実に行われる。  Moreover, thecontrol part 58 which controls the pressing force of the frontside pressing part 26 and the backside pressing part 27, respectively is provided, and the pressing force applied to the frontside pressing part 26 and the backside pressing part 27 is preset. . Thereby, it is ensured that the front-side contact portion 44 and the back-side contact portion 45 are pressed with the set pressing force.

なお、正面側圧迫板部５０の端縁５０Ｅと奥側圧迫板部５１の端縁５１Ｅとで段差が生じた状態で撮影されるが、簡易なデータ補正処理を行うことにより、得られる画像に問題は生じない。  In addition, although it image | photographs in the state in which the level | step difference produced with theedge 50E of the front sidecompression board part 50, and theedge 51E of the back sidecompression board part 51, by performing a simple data correction process, it becomes an image obtained. There is no problem.

また、本実施形態では、正面側押圧部２６及び奥側押圧部２７に加える力が制御部５８に予め設定されている形態で説明したが、正面側圧迫板部５０と撮影面２０との間隔Ｄ１および奥側圧迫板部５１と撮影面２０との間隔Ｄ２が制御部５８に設定される形態とすることも可能である。  In the present embodiment, the force applied to the front-sidepressing unit 26 and the back-sidepressing unit 27 has been described as being preset in thecontrol unit 58. However, the distance between the front-sidecompression plate unit 50 and theimaging surface 20 is described. It is also possible to adopt a form in which the distance D2 between D1 and the backcompression plate portion 51 and theimaging surface 20 is set in thecontrol portion 58.

［第２実施形態］
次に、第２実施形態について説明する。図５に示すように、本実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置は、第１実施形態に比べ、正面側押圧部２６に代えて、正面側第１押圧部６２と正面側第２押圧部６４とを備えている。[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has a front-side first pressingportion 62 and a front-side second pressingportion 64 instead of the front-sidepressing portion 26 as compared with the first embodiment. It has.

正面側第１押圧部６２及び正面側第２押圧部６４は、正面側押圧部２６を中心平面Ｍの位置で２つに分割したものに相当する。従って、正面側第１押圧部６２は、乳房に当接して圧迫する正面側第１圧迫板部７２と、正面側第１圧迫板部７２に連続して奥側に延び出している正面側第１延出し部８２とを備えている。そして、正面側第２押圧部６４は、乳房に当接して圧迫する正面側第２圧迫板部７４と、正面側第２圧迫板部７４に連続して奥側に延び出している正面側第２延出し部８４とを備えている。  The front-side first pressingpart 62 and the front-side second pressingpart 64 correspond to the front-sidepressing part 26 divided into two at the position of the central plane M. Accordingly, the front-side first pressingportion 62 includes a front-side firstcompression plate portion 72 that contacts and presses against the breast, and a front-sidefirst compression portion 72 that extends to the back side continuously from the front-side firstcompression plate portion 72. 1extension portion 82. The front-side second pressingportion 64 includes a front-side secondcompression plate portion 74 that contacts and presses against the breast, and a front-side secondcompression plate portion 74 that extends to the back side continuously from the front-side secondcompression plate portion 74. 2 extendingportion 84.

更に、本実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置は、第１実施形態に比べ、奥側押圧部２７に代えて、奥側第１押圧部６６と奥側第２押圧部６８とを備えている。  Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a back side first pressingpart 66 and a back side second pressingpart 68 instead of the backside pressing part 27 as compared with the first embodiment.

奥側第１押圧部６６及び奥側第２押圧部６８は、奥側押圧部２７を中心平面Ｍの位置で２つに分割したものに相当する。従って、奥側第１押圧部６６は、乳房に当接して圧迫する奥側第１圧迫板部７６と、奥側第１圧迫板部７６から奥側に延び出している奥側第１延出し部８６とを備えている。そして、奥側第２押圧部６８は、乳房に当接して圧迫する奥側第２圧迫板部７８と、奥側第２圧迫板部７８から奥側に延び出している奥側第２延出し部８８とを備えている。  The back side first pressingpart 66 and the back side second pressingpart 68 correspond to the backside pressing part 27 divided into two at the position of the central plane M. Accordingly, the back-side first pressingportion 66 includes a back-side firstcompression plate portion 76 that presses against the breast, and a back-side first extension that extends from the back-side firstcompression plate portion 76 to the back side.Part 86. The back side second pressingportion 68 includes a back side secondcompression plate portion 78 that presses against the breast, and a back side second extension that extends from the back side secondcompression plate portion 78 to the back side.Part 88.

また、本実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置は、正面側第１延出し部８２、正面側第２延出し部８４、奥側第１延出し部８６、及び、奥側第２延出し部８８を個別にスライド移動可能なように保持する支持部（図示せず）を支持部３６に代えて備えている。  In addition, the X-ray imaging apparatus according to this embodiment includes a front-sidefirst extension portion 82, a front-sidesecond extension portion 84, a back-sidefirst extension portion 86, and a back-sidesecond extension portion 88. Are provided in place of thesupport portion 36. The support portion (not shown) is provided so as to be slidable individually.

正面側第１延出し部８２、正面側第２延出し部８４、奥側第１延出し部８６、及び、奥側第２延出し部８８による押圧力は、それぞれ、第１実施形態と同様の制御部によって個別にコントロールされる。  The pressing forces by the front side first extendingportion 82, the front side second extendingportion 84, the back side first extendingportion 86, and the back side second extendingportion 88 are the same as in the first embodiment. Are individually controlled by the control unit.

（作用、効果）
以下、本実施形態の作用、効果について説明する。本実施形態では、ＣＣ撮影では第１実施形態と同様にして行うのでその説明を省略する。(Function, effect)
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, CC imaging is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

図５に示すように、ＭＬＯ撮影では、正面側第１圧迫板部７２が乳房付根側上部ＢＵを、正面側第２圧迫板部７４が乳房付根側下部ＢＬを、奥側第１圧迫板部７６が乳房先端側上部ＴＵを、奥側第２圧迫板部７８が乳房先端側下部ＴＬを、それぞれ押圧する。  As shown in FIG. 5, in MLO imaging, the front-sidefirst compression plate 72 is the breast root-side upper part BU, the front-sidesecond compression plate 74 is the breast-base-side lower part BL, and the back-side first compression plate part. 76 presses the breast tip side upper TU, and the back sidesecond compression plate 78 presses the breast tip side lower TL.

本実施形態では、制御部に設定される押圧力は、正面側第１圧迫板部７２を有する正面側第１押圧部６２の押圧力、すなわち乳房付根側上部ＢＵを押圧する正面側第１押圧部６２の押圧力が最も大きい。そして、正面側第２圧迫板部７４を有する正面側第２押圧部６４の押圧力、及び、奥側第１圧迫板部７６を有する奥側第１押圧部６６の押圧力が中程度の力とされ、奥側第２圧迫板部７８を有する奥側第２押圧部６８の押圧力が最も小さい。  In the present embodiment, the pressing force set in the control unit is the pressing force of the front-side first pressingunit 62 having the front-sidefirst compression plate 72, that is, the front-side first pressing that presses the breast root-side upper BU. The pressing force of thepart 62 is the largest. The pressing force of the front side second pressingportion 64 having the front side second pressingplate portion 74 and the pressing force of the back side first pressingportion 66 having the back side first pressingplate portion 76 are medium forces. Thus, the pressing force of the back side second pressingportion 68 having the back side secondcompression plate portion 78 is the smallest.

これにより、ＭＬＯ撮影時で、被験者Ｗが感じる乳房の痛みを更に低減させることができる。  Thereby, the pain of the breast which the subject W feels at the time of MLO imaging | photography can further be reduced.

なお、本実施形態では、乳房Ｎに当接し撮影面２０に向けて乳房Ｎを押圧する圧迫板として４つに分割されてなる正面側第１圧迫板部７２、正面側第２圧迫板部７４、奥側第１圧迫板部７６、及び、奥側第２圧迫板部７８が設けられている形態で説明したが、更に多数に分割（例えば１６分割）されていてもよい。これにより、押圧力分布の設定の自由度が更に広がり、被験者Ｗが感じる乳房の痛みを更に低減させることが可能になる。  In the present embodiment, the front-side firstcompression plate portion 72 and the front-side secondcompression plate portion 74 that are divided into four as the compression plates that contact the breast N and press the breast N toward theimaging surface 20. In the embodiment, the back side firstcompression plate portion 76 and the back side secondcompression plate portion 78 are provided. However, the back side firstcompression plate portion 78 may be further divided (for example, 16 divisions). As a result, the degree of freedom in setting the pressing force distribution is further increased, and it is possible to further reduce breast pain felt by the subject W.

以上、実施形態を挙げて本発明の実施の形態を説明したが、これらの実施形態は一例であり、要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施できる。また、本発明の権利範囲がこれらの実施形態に限定されないことは言うまでもない。  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

第１実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置の斜視図である。1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.第１実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置の正面側押圧部及び奥側押圧部を示す展開斜視図である。It is an expansion | deployment perspective view which shows the front side press part and back | inner side press part of the X-ray imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment.第１実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置の正面側押圧部及び奥側押圧部を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the front side press part and back | inner side press part of the X-ray imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment.第１実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置で、乳房を薄厚にしてＸ線撮影することを説明する側面図である。It is a side view explaining X-ray imaging with a thin breast in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.第２実施形態に係るＸ線撮像装置の正面側第１押圧部、正面側第２押圧部、奥側第１押圧部、及び、奥側第２押圧部を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the front side 1st press part, the front side 2nd press part, the back side 1st press part, and the back side 2nd press part of the X-ray imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０ Ｘ線撮像装置
２２ 撮影台
２０ 撮影面
５０ 正面側圧迫板部
５１ 奥側圧迫板部
７２ 正面側第１圧迫板部
７４ 正面側第２圧迫板部
７６ 奥側第１圧迫板部
７８ 奥側第２圧迫板部
Ｎ 乳房
Ｗ 被験者DESCRIPTION OFSYMBOLS 10X-ray imaging device 22 Imaging stand 20Imaging surface 50 Front sidecompression board part 51 Back sidecompression board part 72 Front side 1stcompression board part 74 Front side 2ndcompression board part 76 Back side 1stcompression board part 78 Back side Second compression plate N Breast W Subject

Claims (4)

Translated fromJapanese

被験者の乳房が撮影面に当接する撮影台と、
乳房に当接し前記撮影面に向けて乳房を押圧する圧迫板と、
を備え、
前記圧迫板が２つ以上に分割されて複数の圧迫板部で構成され、
前記圧迫板部に加えられる各力がそれぞれ制御されていることを特徴とするＸ線撮像装置。An imaging table in which the subject's breast abuts the imaging surface;
A compression plate that contacts the breast and presses the breast toward the imaging surface;
With
The compression plate is divided into two or more and is composed of a plurality of compression plate portions,
An X-ray imaging apparatus, wherein each force applied to the compression plate is controlled. ＭＬＯ撮影が可能な装置であって、
ＭＬＯ撮影時では、乳房付根側上部、乳房付根側下部、乳房先端側上部、及び、乳房先端側下部の４箇所をそれぞれ押圧するように、前記圧迫板が４つに分割されて４つの前記圧迫板部が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載のＸ線撮像装置。A device capable of MLO photography,
At the time of MLO imaging, the compression plate is divided into four so as to press the four parts of the breast root side upper part, the breast root side lower part, the breast tip side upper part, and the breast tip side lower part. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plate portion is provided. 被験者の乳房を撮影台の撮影面に押圧し、Ｘ線を照射して撮影するＸ線撮像方法であって、
乳房を所定の押圧力分布で押圧した状態にして撮影することを特徴とするＸ線撮像方法。An X-ray imaging method in which a subject's breast is pressed against an imaging surface of an imaging table and irradiated with X-rays to perform imaging,
An X-ray imaging method, wherein imaging is performed with a breast pressed with a predetermined pressure distribution. 乳房の付根側を大きな力で、乳房の先端側を小さな力で、それぞれ押圧することを特徴とする請求項３に記載のＸ線撮像方法。  The X-ray imaging method according to claim 3, wherein the base side of the breast is pressed with a large force and the distal end side of the breast is pressed with a small force.

Images