Mammography Apparatus and Method to Adjust or Tune the Mechanical Settings of Such a Mammography Apparatus

摘要

A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein prior to the x-ray measurement reaction forces between the mammography apparatus and the patient's breast are minimized. The invention relates further to a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, which apparatus is provided with at least one weighing means to measure the downwards forces exerted by (the part of) the apparatus above the weighing means towards the ground.

主权项

1. A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a floorstanding mammography apparatus comprising a main-frame in which a subframe is mounted that supports an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein at least prior to the x-ray measurement a first upward force (Fu) applied by the detector cover on the patient's breast is measured, and further a second downwards force (Fd) applied by the paddle on the patient's breast is measured, which first and second measured forces (Fu, Fd) are subsequently balanced during the compression of the breast so as to minimize reaction forces between the paddle, the detection cover and the patient.