Mammographic system and breast compression plate for use in mammographic system

Abstract

A mammographic system for capturing a radiation image of the breast of an examinee includes an image capturing base, having a radiation image information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the radiation image, and a breast compression plate for compressing the breast against the image capturing base. The breast compression plate has a fixed base for compressing and securing the breast, the fixed base includes a surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee, and a movable flap connected to the fixed base, which is displaceable in order to release the breast.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mammographic system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view, partly in cross section, showing internal structural details of an image capturing base of the mammographic system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a breast compression plate of the mammographic system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 3, with movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 3, with the movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a breast compression plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 8, with movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 8, with the movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a breast compression plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 11, with movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 11, with the movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a breast compression plate according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 14, with movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a breast compression plate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 16, with movable flaps thereof displaced;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a breast compression plate according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the breast compression plate shown in FIG. 18, with movable flaps thereof displaced; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a modified breast compression plate according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A mammographic system for capturing a radiation image of a breast of an examinee, comprising: an image capturing base having a radiation image information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the radiation image; anda breast compression plate for compressing the breast against said image capturing base;said breast compression plate having a fixed base for compressing and securing the breast, said fixed base including a surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee, and a movable flap connected to said fixed base and which is displaceable in order to release the breast.

2. A mammographic system according to claim 1, wherein said breast compression plate has a lock mechanism for locking said movable flap against displacement.

3. A mammographic system according to claim 1, wherein said fixed base comprises: a base bar having said surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee; anda main compression foot extending from said base bar in a direction away from said chest wall.

4. A mammographic system according to claim 3, wherein said movable flap is angularly movable by a pivot mechanism mounted on one of said base bar and said main compression foot.

5. A breast compression plate for compressing a breast of an examinee against an image capturing base of a mammographic system for capturing a radiation image of the breast, comprising: a fixed base for compressing and securing the breast, said fixed base including a surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee; anda movable flap connected to said fixed base and which is displaceable in order to release the breast.

6. A breast compression plate according to claim 5, further comprising: a lock mechanism for locking said movable flap against displacement.

7. A breast compression plate according to claim 6, wherein said lock mechanism locks said movable flap to said fixed base.

8. A breast compression plate according to claim 5, wherein said fixed base comprises: a base bar having said surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee; anda main compression foot extending from said base bar in a direction away from said chest wall.

9. A breast compression plate according to claim 8, wherein said movable flap is angularly movable by a pivot mechanism mounted on one of said base bar and said main compression foot.

10. A breast compression plate according to claim 9, wherein said pivot mechanism has a resilient member for biasing said movable flap in a direction toward said fixed base.

11. A breast compression plate according to claim 9, further comprising: a lock mechanism for locking said movable flap against angular movement;said lock mechanism comprising a first engaging member mounted on said movable flap and a second engaging member mounted on said base bar or said main compression foot, said first engaging member and said second engaging member being engageable with each other in order to lock said movable flap against angular movement.

12. A breast compression plate according to claim 9, further comprising: an extensible and contractible member for biasing said movable flap in a direction toward said fixed base, said extensible and contractible member having an end mounted on said movable flap and an opposite end mounted on one of said base bar and said main compression foot;said movable flap being biased toward said base bar or said main compression foot by said extensible and contractible member.

13. A breast compression plate according to claim 12, wherein said extensible and contractible member is mounted on a first mount disposed on said movable flap and a second mount disposed on one of said base bar and said main compression foot; said first mount and said second mount being disposed in confronting relation to each other.