Title: Radiological imaging apparatus with detection of a compression pad
Abstract: The detection of a compression pad in a mammography apparatus is automated. A rear face of the pad is provided with identifying and positioning readable by the sensors of a mobile carriage of the mammography apparatus. The reading is converted into a binary word that enables the mammography apparatus to obtain the operating parameters and to automatically associate reading keys with an image. A reading key is, for example, the name of the examination/image associated with the pad.
Patent Number: 7,016,460 Issued on 03/21/2006 to Saladin, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Saladin; Jean-Pierre (Bagneux, FR);
Roger; Emmanuel (Courbevoie, FR);
Delmas; Yann (Courbevoie, FR)
|
| Assignee:
|
GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC (Waukesha, WI)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
668538 |
| Filed:
|
September 23, 2003 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
378/37 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
A61B 6/00 (20060101); A61B 6/04 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
378/37,162-166
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4019059 | Apr., 1977 | Brundin et al.
| |
| 5386447 | Jan., 1995 | Siczek.
| |
| 5553111 | Sep., 1996 | Moore et al.
| |
| 6459925 | Oct., 2002 | Nields et al.
| |
| 2003/0198315 | Oct., 2003 | Andreasson et al.
| |
| 2004/0064027 | Apr., 2004 | Zimmerman et al.
| |
| 2005/0063509 | Mar., 2005 | Defreitas et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 10108297 | Sep., 2002 | DE.
| |
Primary Examiner: Church; Craig E.
Assistant Examiner: Suchecki; Krystyna
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A radiological imaging apparatus having a means for supporting an object tray
and an object thereon, the apparatus comprising:
means for compression of the object against the tray;
the means for compression carried by a mobile carriage along the means for support,
the means for compression having a direction of mobility relative to the mobile
carriage that is other than a direction of compression of the object;
the means for compression comprising means for the identification of the means
for compression cooperating with means for reading of the mobile carriage irregardless
of a lateral displacement of the means for compression relative to the means for reading;
the means for reading cooperating with a smart device of the apparatus for providing
an image of the object.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for identification of
the means for compression comprise a relay actuator.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for reading of the mobile
carriage comprise a relay that can be actuated by the means for compression.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for reading comprises,
in series, a circuit for adapting voltage to levels compatible with a logic circuit
and a parallel-to serial converter circuit.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for identification of
the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the mobile carriage comprises means
for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
7. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the relay is mechanical, magnetic,
and optical, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing relays.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means for reading comprises,
in series, a circuit for adapting voltage to levels compatible with a logic circuit
and a parallel-to serial converter circuit.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means for identification of
the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
11. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
12. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for reading comprises,
in series, a circuit for adapting voltage to levels compatible with a logic circuit
and a parallel-to serial converter circuit.
13. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for identification of
the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
14. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for reading of the mobile
carriage comprise a relay that can be actuated by the means for compression.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the relay is mechanical, magnetic,
optical, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing relays.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for reading comprises,
in series, a circuit for adapting voltage to levels compatible with a logic circuit
and a parallel-to serial converter circuit.
18. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for identification
of the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
19. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
20. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the means for identification
of the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
21. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for reading comprises,
in series, a circuit for adapting voltage to levels compatible with a logic circuit
and a parallel-to serial converter circuit.
22. The machine according to claim 21 wherein each output of a matching circuit
is connected to an input of the parallel-to-serial converter circuit.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein an input of a matching circuit
is connected to the output of a relay.
24. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the means for identification
of the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
25. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
26. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein an input of a matching circuit
is connected to the output of a relay.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the means for identification
of the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
28. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
29. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the means for identification
of the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
30. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
31. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for identification of
the compression pad extends along a direction of mobility of the pad with respect
to the mobile carriage.
32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
33. The apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the means for reading the position
comprise a series of at least two position-detector relays aligned in a direction
of shift of the compression pad with respect to the mobile carriage.
34. The apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the compression pad comprises
relay actuators working together with the position-detector relays during and after
the placing of the compression pad on the mobile carnage.
35. The apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the means for indicating the
positioning of the compression pad extend along a direction of mobility with respect
to the mobile carriage.
36. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the means for indicating the
positioning of the compression pad extend along a direction of mobility with respect
to the mobile carriage.
37. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mobile carriage comprises
means for reading the position of the compression pad, the compression pad comprising
means to indicate its positioning.
38. The apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the means for indicating the
positioning of the compression pad extend along a direction of mobility with respect
to the mobile carnage.
39. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control device comprises a
plurality of tracks affixed to the pad, each track providing means for identifying
the position of the pad.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the control device comprises a plurality
of relays.
41. The apparatus according to claim 39 wherein the control device comprises
means for digitally identifying the position of the pad.
42. The apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the control device further comprises
a processor responsive to coded instructions for determining the state of the relays.
43. A radiological imaging apparatus having a column for supporting an object
tray and an object thereon, the apparatus comprising:
a source of x-rays; an x-ray imaging device;
a compression pad for compressing the object against the tray;
a mobile carriage for carrying the compression pad in a first direction along
the column, the compression pad movable laterally in a second direction perpendicular
to the first direction;
a plurality of identification tracks disposed at the compression pad and extending
along the second direction, the identification tracks for identifying the compression pad;
a track reader disposed at the mobile carriage and cooperating with the identification
tracks irregardless of a lateral displacement of the compression pad in the second
direction relative to the track reader and a processor controlled device cooperative
with the track reader for providing information for imaging of the object.
44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein:
the processor controlled device is configured to automatically identify the type
of compression pad and the position of the compression pad relative to a lateral
displacement of the compression pad in the second direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of a priority under 35 USC 119(a)-(d) to
French Patent Application No. 0211948 filed Sep. 26, 2002, the entire contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a radiological apparatus for imaging of
an object, and in particular, to a mammography apparatus with detection of compression
pad, i.e., a mammography apparatus in which an operator positions the compression
pad on its support, and the mammography apparatus will automatically set the parameters
for the pad.
A radiological imaging apparatus, such as a mammography apparatus, is an apparatus
used to take images of a patient's breast by means of radiation. In practice the
apparatus comprises a vertical column bearing a breast-support tray on which the
patient breast is placed so that an image can be taken. Beneath the breast-support
tray, there is a means for detection, usually a cartridge with a photosensitive
film or a digital means, as well as various devices to limit undesirable effects
in the image. The top of the column bears means for providing a source of radiation,
such as an X-ray tube, whose ray of radiation are directed toward the means for detection.
The acquisition of the mammography image, designed in particular to reveal the
presence of microcalcification, which may be evidence of incipient cancer, might
be efficient only under certain conditions. One of the conditions is the hardness
of the X-rays. The X-rays must be of a hard type so that the image obtained reveals
the structures to be detected with sufficient contrast. Furthermore, for reasons
of both stability and image quality, the patient's breast has to be compressed.
Various compressive forces may be applied. These forces are applied through a compression
pad that compresses the breast on the breast-support tray, according to the type
of image/examination to be made.
A given type of pad is therefore related to a type of image/examination. Furthermore,
a pad is also described at least by its intrinsic properties, namely its shape,
dimensions and the absorption characteristics of the material in which it is made.
These characteristics of the pad are important because the stream of X-rays travels
through the pad before reaching the breast and then the X-ray sensitive receiver/detector
making the measurement/image. It is therefore important to be able to take account
of these characteristics for the exploitation, or production, of the images resulting
from the examination.
In the prior art, the physical characteristics of the compression pad are taken
into account either by the operator examining the images or by an algorithm for
processing the acquired data and the physician. Whatever the specific situation,
the physician must be given reading keys and the algorithm must be provided with
processing parameters. These reading keys, or parameters, pertain to the nature
of the examination, i.e., they depend on the nature of the view. The views are
classified as a function of ranges of angle and position of the image receiver
with respect to the breast. Each of these views has a name enabling it to be identified
rapidly and simply. For example, there are MLO views (medio-lateral-oblique views
of the breast). There also exist Spot views: these are magnified views made with
small pads because the observed zone is small. The pads are then called Spot pads.
The list of views/examinations is not exhaustive.
In the prior art, the operator at a panel connected to the mammography apparatus
enters the parameters, or they are viewed on the image through the interposition,
between the detector and the radiation source, of an opaque plate comprising a
message used to identify the parameters of the image. Manipulations of this kind
entail painful waiting periods for the patient while the breast is compressed.
Furthermore, the operator is liable to commit information-recording errors that
give rise to confusion during the analysis of the images. Indeed, a key assumes
all its significance as a function of these interpretation keys. If these keys
are poor, it becomes impossible to interpret the picture and therefore to carry
out a diagnosis. At worst, this may lead to a wrong diagnosis. The fact that an
operator often has to carry out operations to set the parameter of the apparatus
increases the possibility of error through the establishment of routine or of lassitude.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the invention is a radiological apparatus, in particular, a
mammography
apparatus, comprising a column that supports a breast-support tray and a pad for
the compression of the breast against the tray, the compression pad being borne
by a mobile carriage along the column, wherein the compression pad comprises means
for identification of the pad capable of working together with means for reading
the mobile carriage, the means for reading working together with a "smart device"
of the mammography apparatus for providing an image of a breast, the "smart device"
comprising a plurality of tracks and relays.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention and embodiments thereof will be understood more clearly from the
following description and from the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a compression pad and a mobile carriage;
FIG. 2 is a back view of a compression pad;
FIG. 3 is a side view of a compression pad and a mobile carriage;
FIGS. 4
a, 4
b and 4
c are back views of the
compression pad in positions relatives to a mobile carriage and to the reading
means of the carriage; and
FIG. 5 shows means implemented by the mobile carriage for the reading of the
information presented on the compression pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a compression pad
101. In the embodiment, pad
101
has an arm
102 used to move or shift compression block
103 with respect
to column
104 of a mammography apparatus (not shown but is well-known in
the art). The move or shift is due to constraints related to anatomy and to the
space requirement of the mammography apparatus. Pad
101 compresses the breast
against a breast-support tray (not shown but is well-known in the art). A breast
compressed in this way may then be irradiated optimally, and thus a good image
is obtained with minimum radiation.
The compression pad
101 is fixed, through the arm
102, to a mobile
carriage
105. Carriage
105 is mobile in translation along an axis
Oz. The mobility of the carriage
105 enables a breast to be compressed between
the pad
101 and the breast-support tray. The carriage
105 is fixed,
through a sliding link, to column
104. The motion of the carriage is obtained
either through a worm screw, or through a toothed rack or by any other means or
equivalents thereof known to one skilled in the art.
Carriage
105 has a rail
106 in which a bump
107 of
the pad is made to slide, the external dimensions of the bump
107 corresponding
to the internal dimensions of the rail
106. This enables the mobile carriage
105 and the compression pad
101 to be fixedly joined during motions
along the axis Oz of the carriage
105. The introduction of the pad
101
into the carriage
105 is done in a direction Ox perpendicular to the direction
Oz. Thus, during compression along the axis Oz, there is no risk that the pad
101
will move along the axis Ox, the compressive force being perpendicular to this
axis. However, locking devices, for example, clip-type devices or equivalents thereof,
can be used to lock the pad to the carriage once it is in position. Other modes
of positioning the pad can be used, for example, modes using hooks.
Carriage
105 also has a printed circuit
108. A surface of
the printed circuit
108 is parallel to a rear face of the compression pad
101. The term "rear face" of the compression pad
101 shall be understood
to mean that face of the compression pad
101 that is in contact with the
mobile carriage
105. The rear face of the compression pad fixed to the mobile
carriage
105 is before a front face of carriage
105. The printed
circuit
108 comprises at least one reading means
109, for example
a relay
109, fixed to circuit
108. Circuit
108 is fixed to
the carriage
105 in such a way that the means
109 can read the means
of identification of the pad
101. The circuit
108 should preferably
be close to the front face of the carriage
105.
FIG. 2 shows a rear face
201 of the compression pad. The rear face
201
has parallel tracks, or actuators,
202 to
205. These tracks
202
to
205 are oriented along the axis Ox defined for FIG. 1. The nature of
the tracks depends on the nature of the means
109. If the tracks
109
are mechanical relays, then a track is a lengthwise bump of the rear face
201.
By its presence, this bump sets up a contact between the two terminals of the relay.
A mechanical track of this kind is, for example, a roller track or a slider track
of the cam track type, with at least two levels corresponding to two levels of
electrical signals. If it is a magnetic relay, the track is then a magnetized track
detectable by magnetic relay. If it is an optical relay, the track is then a thin
track made of a reflecting substance. Additional equivalent means can be made or
proposed by one skilled in the art.
Each track can be seen as an information bit. If the track is present, this
means that the bit is at 1. If not, it means that the bit is at 0. The number of
relays for the reading of identification information contained in the circuit
108
determines the dynamics of detection by the mammography apparatus. If circuit
108
has three relays for the detection of identification tracks, then the mammography
apparatus has a recognition capacity defined by three bits, that is the mammography
apparatus is capable of distinguishing
2^
3 rear faces of different
compression pads.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, rear face
201 potentially comprises four
tracks.
The presence of a track is detected and corresponds to a value 1, the absence of
a track corresponds to non-detection and therefore to a value 0.
Thus, with four detectable tracks, namely with four relays for reading position
on the circuit
108, it is possible to detect sixteen different states for
a rear face, namely sixteen different compression pads. However, for reasons of
robustness of the device, it may be preferred to carry out an encoding as follows:
three tracks to encode the type of the pad, and one parity track corresponding
to the sum of the first three tracks. It is thus possible to detect worn-out tracks
or defective relays, and avert errors of parameterization and/or interpretation.
It is possible then, for example, to consider the following table, track
1
being the parity track:
| |
|
| |
Track 1 |
Track 2 |
Track 3 |
Track 4 |
Interpretation: |
| |
|
| |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No pad |
| |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Type 1 pad |
| |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Type 2 pad |
| |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Type 3 pad |
| |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Type 4 pad |
| |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Type 5 pad |
| |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Type 6 pad |
| |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Unrecognized pad |
| |
|
The identification tracks
202 to
205 extend along the direction
Ox so that they can be detected whatever the position of the compression pad on
the mobile carriage. This extension is equal to at least two-thirds of the width
of the rear face of the compression pad. Tracks
202 to
205 are centered,
along the axis Ox, on an axis parallel to the axis Oz and divide the rear face
of the pad into two equal parts.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of a device. FIG. 3 shows the mobile carriage on the
column
104 along the axis Oz. Column
104 is itself fixed to an arm
301 fixedly joined to the rest of the mammography apparatus (not shown).
The arm can pivot about an axis Oy perpendicular to the axes Ox and Oz defined
above. The tilt of the arm
301 with respect to a given direction, vertical
or horizontal, is accessible to the mammography apparatus. Knowledge of this tilt
makes it possible to refine the information obtained by reading of the rear face
of the pad during the parameterization of the mammography apparatus or during the
production of interpretation keys for an image.
FIG. 3 also shows circuit
108 located in front of the rear face of compression
pad
101 fixed to mobile carriage
105. Circuit
108 has four
relays
302 to
305 respectively, located so as to be facing tracks
202 to
205, respectively. Tracks
302 to
305 are preferably
aligned in parallel to the axis Oz. FIG. 3 show that the carriage
105 has
grooves
106 and
306 on the upper part of its front face, and on the
lower part of its front face. An upper bump
107 and a lower bump
307
of the pad
101 slide in the grooves. The sliding is done in a direction
parallel to the axis Ox. The sliding of the compression pad slide on the mobile
carriage makes it possible to position the pad in the appropriate position according
to the type of image to be made.
FIGS. 4
a,
4b and
4c illustrate the manner
for automatically detecting the position of the compression pad on the mobile carriage.
A rear face
401 has three tracks
402 to
404 for the identification
of the compression pad. The rear face
401 also has a localization track
405 parallel to the identification tracks. To co-operate with the tracks
402 to
404 a carriage has relays
406 to
408 positioned
before tracks
402 to
404 once the pad comprising these tracks is
positioned on the carriage. The relays
406 to
408, like the relays
302 to
305, are aligned in a direction parallel to the axis Oz. FIGS.
4
a,
4b,
4c also illustrate that for one of the
identification tracks, in this case the track
404, not to be active. This
is means that the track
404 is not present on the rear face of the compression
pad, or that the track
404 does not switch over the relay
408.
FIGS. 4
a,
4b,
4c show a mobile carriage
having several relays associated with a positioning/localizing track. FIGS. 4
a,
4b, and
4c show, for example, two relays
409
and
410 that can be actuated by the positioning track
405. Track
405 is an actuator for the relays
409 and
410. A positioning
track therefore extends preferably in a direction parallel to axis Ox. The positioning
detection relays are placed on the route of track
405 when the compression
pad is shifted on the mobile carriage.
Thus, FIG. 4
a illustrates a compression pad identified by the active
tracks
402 and
403, and by the inactive track
404 is in a
central position. This position is determined by two relays
409 and
410
that are activated by the localization tracks
405.
FIG. 4
b illustrates a compression pad identified by the active tracks
402 and
403, and by the inactive track
404 that is in a first
lateral position. This position is determined by the relay
409 that is activated
by the localization track
405, and that the relay
410 is inactive.
FIG. 4
c illustrates a compression pad identified by the active tracks
402 and
403, and by the inactive track
404 that is in a second
lateral position. This position is determined by the relay
410 that is activated
by the localization track
405, and that the relay
409 is inactive.
In another embodiment, there could be a greater number of relays on the route
of track
405. This would make it possible to refine the knowledge of the
position of the pad on the mobile carriage.
FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of the working of circuit
108.
FIG. 5 shows a pad
501 that actuates or does not actuate relays
502
to
506. For this explanation, establish a parallel between FIG. 4
a and
FIG. 5 in making the relays
502 to
506, respectively, correspond
to the relays
406 to
410, respectively. For reasons of longevity
and reliability, the relays used are preferably of the LVLE (Low Voltage Limited
Energy) type in which the operating voltages are incompatible with the operating
voltages of the logic circuits. Relays of this kind are, for example, the REED
relays. Each relay
502 to
506, respectively, is therefore connected
to an input of a level-matching circuit
507 to
511, respectively,
that converts the output signals from the relays into signals electrically compatible
with control logic. Each output of the matching circuit is furthermore connected
to an input of a serializer circuit
512 or parallel-to-serial converter
circuit. The serializer circuit
512 also has a connection interface with
a bus
513 of the mammography apparatus. Bus
513 is furthermore connected
to a microprocessor
514 and to a program memory
515. Memory
515
comprises at least one zone
515a comprising instruction codes by
which the microprocessor can interrogate the circuit
512 and thus obtain
the state of the relays
502 to
506. The state of the relays
502
to
506 at a date D provides information on the type (relays
502 to
504) of pad fixed to the mobile carriage as well as on the position (relays
505 and
506) of the pad.
In another embodiment, the serializer circuit
512 is replaced by a memory
circuit that can be read in parallel. This replacement enables a faster reading
of the state of the relays
502 to
506.
At a date D, each relay is in a given state, open 0, or closed 1. A date D therefore
has a corresponding state binary word comprising as many bits as there are reading
relays on the pad. In an embodiment, the state binary word then makes it possible
to address a memory
516. Memory
516 is structured as a table. Each
line of the table
516 corresponds to a value of the state word. A first
column
516a of the table
516 correspond to a value of the
state word, the second column
516b corresponds to parameters associated
with this state word. These parameters are parameters corresponding to operations
parameterization of the mammography apparatus, parameters for processing measurements
made, or parameters used to mark an image so that a practitioner can interpret it.
The position of the pad is interesting in the same way as is the type of pad.
A pad does not necessarily have a constant section about its direction of shift
with respect to the mobile carriage. A pad therefore does not necessarily absorb
X-rays in the same way from one position of the pad to another.
The embodiments of the invention enables the automatic detection of the type
of compression pad used for the image, and the position of the pad on the mobile
carriage. This information is useful, firstly, for the automatic annotation of
the image when it is being acquired, and secondly for the post-acquisition computations
made, after the image has been acquired, by a workstation responsible for presenting
the image on a means for display such as a screen. This information is also useful
for the production of keys for the interpretation of a picture. Such interpretation
keys are, for example, the name of the examination, the type of pad used, a tilt
value of an arm of a mammography apparatus, etc. These keys are presented in a
device, such as a cartridge, of the image presented to the practitioner, and are
produced at the same time as the image is produced by the mammography apparatus.
In one pre-acquisition mode, this information can be used to modulate the intensity
of the radiation as a function of the quantity of material to be crossed in the
pad. This thickness is related both to the type of pad and to its position.
In the description, the printed circuit
108 has been placed directly behind
the front face of the mobile carriage
105. In practice, it is possible to
use a comb of relays, fixed close to the rear face of the mobile carriage
105
so that the relays of the comb can co-operate with the tracks/actuators of a pad.
In this case, the column is connected to the circuit
108 through, for example,
a flexible sheet. The circuit
108 can then be positioned anywhere on the
mobile carriage
105.
An embodiment of the invention automatically provides the mammography apparatus
with information for the exploitation of data acquired during an exposure according
to the nature and position of the compression pad.
An embodiment of the invention automatically provides to the mammography apparatus
information for establishing the parameters for the irradiation as a function of
the nature and position of a compression pad.
The disclosed invention and embodiments thereof provides a compression pad with
means for identification. The means for identification work together with means
for reading placed on a mobile carriage that supports the compression pad. The
means for identification are passive and therefore need no power supply. The means
for identification are accessible, in read mode, whatever the position of the compression
pad on the mobile carriage. To supplement the information accessible on the pad,
it also comprises means for enabling the mobile carriage to read the position of
the pad in relation to the carriage. Knowledge of this position makes it possible
to take account of the specific characteristics of shape of the pad during irradiation.
The means for reading are, for example one or more relays, which may be mechanical,
optical or magnetic. The means for identification and means for positioning are
tracks extending in a direction along which the pad is mobile so that it can be
positioned for example, with respect to the mobile carriage. Through this extension
of the means for reading, the identification of the pad can be made independent
of this position with respect to the carriage.
One skilled in the art may make or propose various modifications to the structure
and/or manner and/or way and/or function and/or means and\or result and equivalents
thereof to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope and extent
of the invention.
*
