Stereotactic Mammography Imaging System with Prone Position Examination Table and CCD Imaging System

摘要

An elongated prone patient-supportingexamining table (43) for X-ray mammographyis centrally supported at variableheights by a rear pedestal. The table isprovided with a central breast-receiving aperture(35) through which the patient's pendulantbreast is exposed to a horizontal beam ofX-rays from a tube head source (280) mountedon an arm angularly movable through an arcof some 210° centered on the patient'sbreast. Diagnosis of suspect lesions and fineneedle biopsy are both facilitated bystereotactic examination. Digital imaging using aCCD camera (36) and image enhancementsoftware provides magnification, contrastenhancement, window and level manipulationand high resolution images, with lowexposure levels, short exposure times, and greatlyreduced imaging times.