X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Specific application – Mammography
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-03-27
Porta, David P. (Department: 2876)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Specific application
Mammography
C378S098800, C250S370090
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208708
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray mammography device of the type having an X-ray tube arrangement, a compression device, a subject table and a solid-state radiation detector. X-ray diagnostic means of this type serve to examine the breast of a patient.
2. Description of the Prior Art
X-ray mammography devices that are popular today operate with film-foil systems. These systems do not require a large space since the image sensor does not have to transmit electrical signals to the device.
The Siemens data sheet “MAMMOMAT 3000, OPDIMA—Digital biopsy and spot imaging system,” (ref. no. WS 0597 7) teaches an X-ray mammography device in which a CCD image sensor is arranged in a cassette, this image sensor having a small image surface (49×85 mm
2
) compared to the cassette format (18×24 cm
2
). This CCD cassette is connected via a cable to a workstation which produces the mammographic X-ray images from the signals supplied by the CCD cassette. Since the CCD image sensor occupies only a small space in the cassette, the necessary electronics can be accommodated in this cassette as well without a problem. The rather small detector surface, however, is disadvantageous because it does not permit large-format examinations such as are known in film technology. If larger areas are to be examined, several exposures are necessary, which means a correspondingly increased radiation load on the examination subject. The cable also has a disruptive effect.
In newer X-ray mammography devices, solid-state image sensors such as a-Si panels are employed. Such panels, however, have relatively thick and in part bulky control and readout electronics arranged at the detector so that such detectors occupy a large volume. In order not to limit the variety of diagnostic methods of image capture, i.e. in order not to limit the acceptance of such devices, the detector surface area is reduced in order to keep the dimensions small.
There are also relatively thick sensor arrays with optical guides which complicate or prevent their application with adipose patients.
The dimensions of conventional solid-state detectors often exceed the length and width of the actual radiosensitive surface to a considerable degree. This is unacceptable for a solid-state mammography detector. Specific measures must therefore be taken which enable the active surface to be expanded to the edge of the cassette to within a millimeter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a mammography device of the general type initially described which enables an alternating pickup with a film and with a solid-state image converter, and which is compactly constructed such that free and virtually unimpeded access to the examined patient is possible.
The object is inventively achieved in an X-ray mammography apparatus having a large area solid-state detector made of amorphous silicon (aSi) integrated in a detector cassette that can be inserted into the subject table, and that includes a part of at least one transmission path for the supply of the operating voltage, and/or the control signals for operating the solid-state detector and/or the readout data, this transmission path part functionally engaging a second part of the transmission path, which is attached to the subject table.
As used herein, “engage” means that the two transmission path parts mate or communicate or co-operate to allow a signal to proceed between the two transmission path parts.
It has proven advantageous if the solid-state detector is constructed as one unitary piece.
As the transmission path for supplying the operating voltage, the subject table and the detector cassette can be inventively provided with at least-two electrical detachable connections, with an inductive transmitter or with a capacitive transmitter for the operating voltage.
The subject table and the detector cassette can advantageously have an optical, capacitive or inductive transmission path for the control signals for operating the panel.
In an X-ray mammography device with a solid-state detector having a dark reference zone (DNZ) for reducing the quantum noise, in order to expand the active surface to the edge of the cassette to within a millimeter it has proven advantageous to dispose the dark reference zone on the device side of the solid-state detector.
In order to be able to use the space in the detector cassette optimally for the solid-state detector, so that the active surface of the solid-state detector has approximately the same dimensions as the surface area of the cassette, detector electronics can be arranged in a region that is located between the rotary arm of the X-ray device and the detector cassette with the solid-state detector.
In an X-ray mammography device having a motherboard, which carries the detector electronics, connected to the solid-state detector via at least one flexible conductor ribbon, preferably at least one end of the conductor ribbon is provided with a preformed bend, which can be generated by stamping. The width of the housing of the detector cassette thus can be so reduced that the active surface reaches the margin of the cassette, since a space-consuming “natural” bend is not needed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4689487 (1987-08-01), Nishiki et al.
patent: 5105087 (1992-04-01), Jagielinski
patent: 5773832 (1998-06-01), Sayed et al.
patent: 5773839 (1998-06-01), Krepel et al.
patent: 5798558 (1998-08-01), Tyson et al.
patent: 6072224 (2000-06-01), Tyson et al.
patent: 0 714 038 (1996-05-01), None
Specification Sheet for Mammomat 3000 Opdima™—Digital Biopsy and Spot Imaging System, Siemens-Elema.
Hoheisel Martin
Kirsch Juergen
Sklebitz Hartmut
Spahn Martin
Hobden Pamela R.
Porta David P.
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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