Cable routing and mammography system

Abstract

Cable guide (400) for a mammography system (100), the cable guide (400) comprising: - a fastening device for securing the cable guide (400) to a component of a mammography system (100); - at least one guide body, wherein the guide body has a recess (403) delimited by a wall (401) for receiving lines (305), wherein the wall (401) spans a guide direction (F), so that lines (305) accommodated in the recess (403) extend substantially in the guide direction (F), wherein the wall (401) of the guide body has an insertion opening (405) for inserting lines (305) into the recess (403) substantially perpendicular to the guide direction (F).

Description

[0001] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0002] Mammography systems are medical imaging devices that can be used to examine subjects, particularly the female breast. The use of X-rays enables high-resolution imaging of breast tissue. This imaging can be used, for example, to detect pathological changes in breast tissue, such as tumors or microcalcifications, at an early stage.

[0003] In certain circumstances, further examination of suspicious breast tissue may be necessary. In this case, a biopsy, particularly a vacuum biopsy, can be performed using a biopsy unit. Biopsies can be used to obtain a tissue sample from body regions, for example, for the purpose of histological examination of the removed tissue sample.

[0004] In vacuum biopsies, a hollow needle with a window is inserted into the tissue to be examined. The tissue is drawn through the window into the needle using vacuum suction. The tissue inside the needle can then be separated from the surrounding tissue and removed. In addition to being used for taking tissue samples from the female breast, vacuum biopsies can also be used, for example, to take samples from the prostate.

[0005] Biopsies can be assisted, in particular, by mammographic imaging, for example, to check the biopsy position. However, when performing a mammography-assisted biopsy, there is the problem that various lines, such as cables and / or tubes, must be routed from auxiliary devices to the biopsy unit. For example, the biopsy unit may need to be connected to auxiliary devices such as a vacuum pump, a control device, a foot switch, etc. These lines often hang loosely between the biopsy unit and the auxiliary devices and can thus be a hindrance when performing a biopsy, for example, because they hang in an area designated for the patient and interfere with the patient and / or the performance of X-ray images. Additionally or alternatively, the lines may collide with other components of the mammography system or the biopsy unit.

[0006] Currently, the leads are routed behind other components of the mammography system or even clamped to keep them away from a critical area of ​​the mammography system. This method is unreliable, the leads are often difficult to access, and biopsies are therefore less efficient.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages existing in the prior art. In particular, improved positioning of leads should be enabled. In particular, more efficient operation of mammography systems and / or biopsy units should be enabled. In particular, patient comfort during biopsy should be improved.

[0008] The object is achieved by the methods and subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to one aspect, a cable guide for a mammography system is provided. The cable guide can have a fastening device for securing the cable guide to a component of a mammography system. The cable guide can further have a guide body. The guide body can have a recess delimited by a wall for receiving cables. The wall can span a guide direction, so that cables received in the recess extend substantially in the guide direction. The wall of the guide body can have an insertion opening for inserting cables into the recess substantially perpendicular to the guide direction.

[0010] In particular, the mammography system can be used to visualize at least one examination object, for example, at least part of a patient's breast. The examination object can contain one or more areas of diagnostic or other medical interest. These areas may contain objects that are to be examined more closely by means of a biopsy, for example, tissue changes of all kinds, including microcalcifications, tumor tissue, or other tissue structures. These tissue structures can include benign and / or malignant structures.

[0011] In the present case, lines can be used, for example, to conduct material and / or energy flows. Lines can additionally or alternatively be used to conduct signals. For example, lines can be designed as hoses, cables, in particular power and / or signal cables, etc. By means of one or more lines, air can, for example, be sucked out of the biopsy unit, thus creating a vacuum for performing a vacuum biopsy. Alternatively or additionally, a signal, for example the signal of a switch, can be transmitted from or to the biopsy unit by means of one or more lines. Alternatively or additionally, electrical energy can be supplied to the biopsy unit by means of one or more lines.

[0012] The fastening device can be designed, in particular, to secure the cable routing to a component of a mammography system. In particular, the fixed cable routing cannot change its position relative to the component to which the cable routing is attached. Various options are available for securing the cable routing to the component of the mammography system. For example, the cable routing can be secured using a positive or non-positive fit.

[0013] The cable guide can comprise one or more guide elements. The cable guide can, in particular, comprise two, three, or four interconnected guide elements, which can be similar or identical in design. A larger number of guide elements generally contributes to the cables being routed over a longer distance, thus ensuring more reliable cable routing.

[0014] The guide body of the cable guide preferably has a wall enclosing a recess. The recess can extend along a guide direction, wherein the guide direction defines or predetermines the course of the cables accommodated in the guide body. The guide direction can be straight, for example. The guide direction can be curved, for example. The guide direction can be straight and / or curved in sections, wherein the guide direction of adjacent sections of the guide body can be different, for example, at different angles relative to a horizontal or vertical direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the wall can be a tube, for example, which can be cylindrical in design, for example, at least in sections. In this case, the guide direction in this section can correspond, for example, to the central axis / axis of rotation of the cylinder, with cables accommodated in the tube extending substantially along this guide direction. Additionally or alternatively, the tube can be designed, for example, in sections in the form of a torus section, with the guide direction in this section corresponding to the circular line of the torus. In the torus section, the guide direction is therefore curved, so that cables accommodated in the tube follow a curved path.

[0016] Cables can be inserted into the recess through the insertion opening. This can mean that the cables are brought from outside the wall into the interior of the wall, i.e., into the recess, by passing through the insertion opening. The insertion opening is preferably designed such that the cables can be easily inserted, but their removal from the recess is made difficult or impossible. This can be achieved, for example, by an at least partially oblique course of the insertion opening with respect to the guide direction.

[0017] By using the provided cable guide, the disadvantages listed in the prior art can be overcome. The cable guide improves cable positioning, makes it more reliable, and can be performed with high repeatability. Because interference caused by misplaced cables is avoided, more efficient operation of mammography systems and / or biopsy units is possible. Reliable positioning allows the cables to be arranged in a position where they do not interfere with the patient, thus improving patient comfort during a biopsy.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening device has a receptacle. The receptacle can be designed for arranging the cable guide on a component of a mammography system in the guide direction. In particular, the receptacle can be designed for plugging the cable guide onto a component of a mammography system in the guide direction. The receptacle can be dimensioned such that the cable guide, in an arranged or plugged-in state, is fixed to the mammography system in at least one direction perpendicular to the guide direction. For example, the width of the receptacle can substantially correspond to the width of the component onto which the cable guide is to be plugged. Depending on the application, a clearance fit, a transition fit, and / or a press fit can be provided between the component and the receptacle, for example.When plugged in, the cable guide's mobility is limited by the interaction of the mount with the component. This allows for easy installation of the cable guide while simultaneously ensuring a secure fit on the component.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacle has a first receptacle channel. Preferably, the receptacle has a second receptacle channel. Preferably, the first receptacle channel and the second receptacle channel enclose an angle other than 0° or 180°. In other words, the first and the second receptacle channel are arranged at an angle to one another. In particular, the first receptacle channel can extend perpendicular to the second receptacle channel. The first receptacle channel and / or the second receptacle channel can furthermore extend perpendicular to the guide direction. Preferably, the first receptacle channel and the second receptacle channel are dimensioned such that the cable guide, in the plugged-on state, is completely fixed to the component of the mammography system perpendicular to the guide direction.

[0020] In other words, the first and second receiving channels can be arranged in a Y-arrangement or X-arrangement, with the legs of the "Y" or "X" meeting at a common intersection point. If a complementary component of the mammography system is accommodated by the correspondingly formed receptacle, the cable routing can be guided and thus fixed in any direction of the plane in which the legs of the "Y" or "X" extend. The cable routing is thus positioned particularly reliably and, at the same time, is particularly easy to install.

[0021] The fastening device preferably has a clamping means for securing the cable routing to the component of the mammography system. The clamping means can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the receptacle. The clamping means can, in particular, interact with the receptacle such that a cable routing can be completely secured to the component of the mammography system by means of the clamping means and receptacle. The clamping means can be designed to secure the cable routing to the component in a different direction than the receptacle. The clamping means enables particularly simple securing of the cable routing to the component of the mammography system.

[0022] The fastening device, in particular the clamping means, preferably has a first shoulder. When the cable guide is used as intended, i.e., when the cable guide is arranged on a component of a mammography system, the first shoulder can be provided, in particular, to limit the mobility of the cable guide relative to the component, in particular in the guide direction.

[0023] The fastening device, in particular the clamping means, preferably has a second shoulder spaced apart from the first shoulder with respect to the guide direction. When the cable guide is used as intended, i.e. when the cable guide is arranged on a component of a mammography system, the second shoulder can be provided in particular to limit the mobility of the cable guide relative to the component, in particular in the guide direction. In particular, the first shoulder and the second shoulder can extend at least partially parallel to one another. Thus, a component can be received, in particular clamped, between the first shoulder and the second shoulder.

[0024] The first shoulder and / or the second shoulder can be displaceable substantially perpendicular to the guide direction, which facilitates sliding the cable guide onto the component of the mammography system. In particular, the shoulder can be moved sideways in the guide direction when sliding the cable guide onto the component. After sliding onto the component, the shoulder can be moved back, preferably to its original position, whereby the component can then be received, in particular clamped, between the first shoulder and the second shoulder.

[0025] Preferably, the first and second shoulders are connected to each other by an elastically deformable spring section. Due to the elastic deformability of the section, as soon as the first or second shoulder is deflected laterally, a restoring force is generated, which forces the deflected shoulder back to its original position. In the scenario outlined above, in which the cable guide is pushed onto a component of the mammography system, an automated resetting of the deflected shoulder can thus occur as soon as the cable guide is in the intended position after being pushed onto the component and the resetting of the deflected shoulder is no longer blocked by the component.

[0026] In other words, the first and / or second shoulder can be displaceable perpendicular to the guide direction when the cable guide is pushed onto a component of the mammography system, in particular onto a compression plate holder. The stops and a section connecting the stops can be designed such that the displaceable shoulder can be deflected when the cable guide is pushed onto the component and engages as soon as the cable guide is in a locking position relative to the component. This locking position can in particular be a position in which the cable guide is completely plugged onto the component and / or in which the component is received between the first shoulder and the second shoulder. The cable guide is thus reliably positioned on the component, while at the same time enabling simple assembly of the cable guide.

[0027] Preferably, the receptacle is designed to receive a compression plate holder of the mammography system. Additionally or alternatively, the clamping means can be designed to clamp the compression plate holder of the mammography system. The compression plate holder serves to secure a compression plate to a base body of the mammography system. The compression plate holder can be viewed as a link between the base body of the mammography system and a compression plate of the mammography system. An arrangement of the cable guide on the compression plate holder is preferred because the compression plate holder is usually located near the biopsy unit, thus ensuring that the cables are reliably guided and kept away from a critical area, such as an examination region.

[0028] Preferably, the insertion opening is a slot in the wall extending at least partially in the guide direction or at least partially obliquely to the guide direction, or has such a slot. In particular, if the slot extends at least partially obliquely to the guide direction, it is ensured that cables running in the guide direction do not inadvertently move out of the recess.

[0029] According to one aspect, a mammography system is provided. The mammography system can comprise a reference component. The reference component can be, for example, a base body or a compression plate holder. The mammography system can comprise a biopsy unit fixed with respect to the reference component and / or with respect to the base body. The biopsy unit can comprise at least one line for connecting the biopsy unit to an auxiliary device. The mammography system can comprise a line guide fixed with respect to the reference component according to one of the embodiments described above. The at least one line of the biopsy unit can be received in the recess of the line guide.

[0030] Statements made above with reference to a cable routing obviously also apply to a mammography system that includes a cable routing.

[0031] The biopsy unit can, in particular, be fixed to the reference component, in particular the base body and / or the compression plate holder, in a non-destructively detachable manner. For example, the biopsy unit can be attached to a holder provided for this purpose, so that the biopsy unit can be fixed to the reference component and / or the base body or removed from it as needed.

[0032] In the present case, a biopsy aid device is understood to mean, in particular, a device for providing aids for a biopsy. The term is to be understood broadly and can in particular include an energy source for providing energy, a material source for providing material flows and / or a signal source, such as a computing unit, for providing signals or other sources for aids. For example, a power source can provide electrical energy and be connected to the biopsy unit by means of a power line. A vacuum pump can be connected to the biopsy unit to generate a vacuum and can be connected to the biopsy unit by means of a corresponding vacuum line or hose. Furthermore, various types of signals can be transmitted from and to the biopsy unit by means of signal lines. A liquid source can, for example, be connected to the biopsy unit by means of a hose ora fluid line connected to the biopsy unit.

[0033] By accommodating the cables in the cable guide, it is ensured that the cables remain in a predetermined position and do not interfere with the performance of an X-ray image and / or a biopsy.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the mammography system comprises at least one compression plate. The compression plate can be secured to the base body of the mammography system by means of a compression plate holder, which acts as a reference component. The at least one cable guide can be arranged on the compression plate holder. As explained above, arranging the cable guide on the compression plate holder is particularly advantageous.

[0035] Preferably, the compression plate holder, as described above, has a first web and a second web extending perpendicular to the first web. The first and second webs can merge into one another at an intersection point, with the cable guide being arranged on the first web, the second web, or the intersection point.

[0036] Preferably, the first web can be accommodated in the first receiving channel of the cable guide, and the second web can be accommodated in the second receiving channel of the cable guide. Preferably, the first web and the first receiving channel are dimensioned such that the web can be accommodated in the receiving channel without play. Preferably, the second web and the second receiving channel are dimensioned such that the web can be accommodated in the receiving channel without play. This allows the cable guide to be reliably fastened to the compression plate holder.

[0037] Preferably, the distance between the first shoulder and the second shoulder corresponds to a height of the first web of the clamping plate holder and / or a height of the second web of the clamping plate holder. In other words, the first web and / or the second web can preferably be accommodated between the first shoulder and the second shoulder without play, thus ensuring reliable positioning of the cable guide, particularly in the guide direction.

[0038] The biopsy unit preferably comprises at least one power line, at least one signal line, and at least one vacuum line, wherein the power line, the signal line, and the vacuum line are accommodated in the recess of the cable guide. This ensures that the biopsy unit's lines do not interfere with the operation of the mammography system.

[0039] Further advantages of the provided cable routing or mammography system are:The cables and cable guide are designed as separate components so that they can be assembled, disassembled, and / or replaced separately. The cables are preferably guided mechanically or geometrically along the guide direction, ensuring particularly reliable positioning and simplifying operation. The provided cable guide can be easily retrofitted to existing mammography systems without the need to redesign or adapt the mammography system itself. This results in low manufacturing costs, and cable guides can be individually retrofitted for a wide variety of mammography systems. For example, cable guides tailored to a specific mammography system can be produced using additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing.The cable guide can be attached to different components of a mammography system and / or in different orientations. If a mammography system is designed to be at least partially symmetrical, the side on which a cable guide is attached can be freely selected.

[0040] The special design of the insertion opening allows cables to be easily inserted while preventing them from slipping out of the recess. Installation is simple: the cable guide can be plugged onto a component of the mammography system in the desired orientation and on the preferred side. The cable guide can be held in position by a snap-on mechanism, making handling of the cable guide particularly easy.

[0041] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Here schematically show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of an imaging system, Fig. 2 an embodiment of a mammography system with a cable guide, Fig. 3 a detailed view of an embodiment of a mammography system with a cable guide, Fig. 4 a detailed view of another embodiment of a mammography system with a cable guide, and Fig. 5 an embodiment of a cable routing.

[0043] The exemplary embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. To simplify readability, the same reference numerals are used for similar or identical components, regardless of which embodiment the components are assigned to.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an imaging system. The imaging system is embodied, in particular, as a mammography system 100.

[0045] The mammography system 100 is illustrated by way of example and in a roughly schematic manner. The mammography system 100 can be configured, in particular, for tomosynthesis and / or at least one stereotactic image. Relative directions such as "top," "bottom," etc., refer to the mammography system 100 configured for its intended operation. The mammography system 100 has a vertical column or base body 107 and a source-detector assembly 103, which in turn includes an X-ray source 200 and an X-ray detector 105 with a cover 105.1. The vertical column 107 is mounted on the floor. The source-detector assembly 103 can be movably connected to the vertical column 107 so that the height of the surface 105.1 of the X-ray detector 105 can be adjusted to a patient's chest height.

[0046] A patient's breast O (shown schematically here) is the examination object and, in embodiments for an examination, is positioned on the cover 105.1 of the X-ray detector 105. The cover 105.1 forms a second compression plate. A compression plate 106 is arranged above the breast O and the cover 105.1 and is movably or translatably connected to the source-detector arrangement 103. For the examination, the breast O is compressed and simultaneously fixed by lowering the compression plate 106 onto it, so that pressure is exerted on the breast O between the compression plate 106 and the cover 105.1. Alternatively, a second compression plate can be used for the compression instead of the cover 105.1 of the X-ray detector 105, so that the breast O is compressed between two compression plates. The two compression plates or the compression plate 106 and the cover 105.1 of the X-ray detector 105 are comprised by a compression unit 101. The compression unit 101 may also comprise a movement unit for moving the compression plate 106 or the compression plates for compression.

[0047] The X-ray source 200 is arranged opposite the X-ray detector 105 such that the X-ray detector 105 detects X-ray radiation R emitted by the X-ray source 200 after at least a portion of the X-ray radiation R has passed through the breast O.

[0048] In embodiments, the X-ray source 200 can be designed to be movable, rotatable or pivotable relative to the X-ray detector 105 by means of a rotating arm 108, for example in a range of ± 45°, in particular ± 25°, about a basic position in which the rotating arm 108 is perpendicular to the surface 105.1 of the X-ray detector 105.

[0049] The mammography system 100 can, in particular, comprise a control unit 110 with an interface 110.1, a computing unit 110.2, and a memory unit 110.3. The control unit 110 can, in particular, be connected to a terminal 113, which, for example, has a user interface or display unit via which a user can transmit commands to the mammography system 100 or retrieve measurement results, for example, the acquired projection images or X-ray images. The control unit 110 can be located in the same room as the mammography system 100, but it can also be located in an adjacent control room or at an even greater spatial distance.

[0050] The control unit 110 can, in particular, be a computer, a microcontroller, or an integrated circuit (IC). Alternatively, the control unit 110 can be a real or virtual computer network (a technical term for a real computer network is "cluster," a technical term for a virtual computer network is "cloud"). The control unit 110 can be embodied as a virtual system that runs on a computer or a real computer network or a virtual computer network (a technical term is "virtualization").

[0051] The interface 110.1 can be a hardware or software interface (e.g., a PCI bus, CAN bus, USB, or Firewire). The computing unit 110.2 can comprise hardware and / or software components, for example, a microprocessor or a so-called FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Way). The storage unit 110.3 can be configured as a temporary random access memory (RAM) or as a permanent mass storage device (hard drive, USB stick, SD card, solid state disk (SSD)).

[0052] The interface 110.1 can, in particular, comprise a plurality of sub-interfaces that execute different method steps of the respective method according to the invention. In other words, the interface 110.1 can be designed as a plurality of interfaces 110.1. The computing unit 110.2 can, in particular, comprise a plurality of sub-computation units that execute different method steps of the respective method according to the invention. In other words, the computing unit 110.2 can be designed as a plurality of computing units 110.2.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a similar embodiment of a mammography system 100. To improve the readability of the present explanations, only the differences will be discussed below.

[0054] The mammography system 100 comprises a biopsy unit 300, which can be flexibly attached to and removed from the base body 107 by means of a holder 307. The biopsy unit 300 has a biopsy needle 301. The biopsy needle 301 is preferably designed as a hollow needle and can be used to remove a tissue sample from the breast O. For this purpose, the biopsy needle 301 can have a biopsy window 303 through which tissue can be moved into the interior of the needle 301, where it can be severed by a knife. The tissue can then be removed from the breast O.

[0055] To supply the biopsy unit 300 with energy, material flows, signals, or other means, the biopsy unit has a plurality of lines 305. The lines 305 may extend from the biopsy unit 300 to one or more auxiliary devices.

[0056] The lines 305 are accommodated in a line guide 400 such that the path along which the lines 305 run runs outside the area in which the breast O is located or in which an examination, X-ray, or biopsy is being performed. The line guide is attached to a compression plate holder 120, which connects the compression plate 106 to the column 107. Preferably, the compression plate holder 120 is connected to the column 107 in such a way that it can be moved up and down. When the compression plate holder 120 moves, the line guide 400 and the lines 305 accommodated therein also move, ensuring reliable line routing even if the compression plate 106 is displaced.

[0057] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows a cable guide 400 in the state fixed to a compression plate holder 120. The Fig. 3 and Fig. The embodiments shown in Figure 4 differ only with regard to the orientation in which the cable guide 400 is arranged on the compression plate holder 120 and are therefore described together.

[0058] The compression plate holder 120 has a first web 121 and a second web 123. The first web 121 and the second web 123 extend essentially perpendicular to one another, but can in principle also enclose an angle other than 0° or 180°. The first web 121 and the second web 123 have a planar extension, which enables the cable guide 400 to be pushed onto the first web 121 and / or the second web 123 in order to secure the cable guide 400 to the first web 121 or the second web 123.

[0059] The cable guide 400 itself is designed to guide cables 305 along a guide direction F. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide direction F extends substantially perpendicular to the first web 121 and the second web 123, or perpendicular to a receptacle 407 of the cable guide 400. The guide direction F is defined by a wall 401 of the cable guide 400 and by a recess 403 in the cable guide 400 delimited by the wall 401. The recess 403 is designed to receive cables 305. The wall 401 delimits the recess 403 in such a way that a line entry surface, via which the lines 305 enter the recess 403, and a line exit surface, via which the lines 305 exit the recess, of the recess 403 (top and bottom in the figure) are not enclosed by the wall 401.The guide direction F extends along a connecting curve from the line entry surface to the line exit surface. In a viewing direction perpendicular to the guide direction F, the recess 403 is at least partially enclosed by the wall 401.

[0060] To facilitate the movement of the cables 305 into the recess 403, the cable guide 400 has an insertion opening 405 in the wall 401. The wall 401 is therefore not completely circumferential, but rather has an interruption in the form of the insertion opening 405, by means of which the cables can be inserted into or removed from the recess 403. The insertion opening 405 extends obliquely to the guide direction F, thus making it difficult for the cables 305 to accidentally move out of the recess 403.

[0061] The cable guide 400 is secured to the compression plate support 120 by means of a fastening device. The fastening device has a receptacle 407, by means of which the cable guide 400 can be pushed onto the compression plate support 120, more precisely onto the first web 121 and the second web 123 of the compression plate support 120, essentially in the guide direction F. The receptacle 407 is fundamentally complementary to the webs 121 and 123. Accordingly, the receptacle 407 has a first receiving channel 409 and a second receiving channel 411 extending at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to the first receiving channel. The receiving channels 409 and 411 are pushed onto the webs 121 and 123, in particular without play. The angular arrangement of the receiving channels 409, 411 has several advantages: Firstly, this achieves a particularly reliable fastening of the cable guide 400.Due to the vertical alignment of the receiving channels 409 and 411, the cable guide 400 is fixed in every direction perpendicular to the guide direction F. Furthermore, the cable guide 400 can thus be arranged in different orientations (cf. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) are attached to the compression plate carrier 120. In a first orientation, the first web 121 is received by the first receiving channel 409, and the second web 123 is received by the second receiving channel 411. In a second orientation, the first web 121 is received by the second receiving channel 411, and the second web 123 is received by the first receiving channel 409. The orientation of the cable guide 400 can thus be flexibly adapted to the operating conditions and the design of the respective mammography device 100.

[0062] A clamping means 413 is provided to fix the cable guide 400 in the guide direction F. Consequently, the cable guide 400 is completely fixed to the clamping plate holder 120.

[0063] In Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a cable routing 400. In addition to the aspects of a cable routing already described above, Fig. 5 the clamping means 413 or the clamping means 413 are shown in detail.

[0064] The cable guide 400 has a plurality of clamping means 413 with a similar structure. However, the clamping means 413 are aligned differently. In particular, at least one clamping means 413 is designed to clamp a web received in the first receiving channel 409, and at least one clamping means 413 is designed to clamp a web received in the second receiving channel 411. Accordingly, the clamping means 413 are also aligned at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to one another, corresponding to the alignment of the receiving channels 409 and 411. To improve the holding properties, the illustrated embodiment of a cable guide 400 has two parallel clamping means 413 for clamping a web received in the first receiving channel 409.

[0065] The clamping means 413 comprise a first shoulder 415 and a second shoulder 417 spaced apart from the first shoulder 415 in the guide direction F, which second shoulder 417, in the illustrated embodiment, is the base of the receiving channel 409, 411. The distance between the first shoulder 415 and the second shoulder 417 preferably corresponds to the height of the first web 121 and / or the height of the second web 123. The first shoulder 415 and the second shoulder 417 are connected by means of an elastic section 419 having springy properties. On a side of the first shoulder 415 facing away from the wall 401, a beveled surface 421 is formed to simplify the sliding of a cable guide 400 onto a component of the mammography system 100, in particular onto a web 121, 123 of the compression plate carrier 120.

[0066] When the cable guide 400 is pushed in the guide direction onto a component of the mammography system 100, the elastic section 419 is deflected to the side, i.e. perpendicular to the guide direction F, as soon as the beveled surface 421 comes into contact with the component. As soon as the component is completely received in the receiving channel 409, 411 after a further movement of the cable guide 400 in the guide direction F, the beveled surface 421 is no longer in contact with the component because the component has been completely moved past the beveled surface 421 and is now located between the first shoulder 415 and the second shoulder 417. Consequently, the first shoulder 415 is brought into contact with the underside of the component by the spring force caused by the deflection of the elastic section 419. As a result, the component is fixed, in particular clamped, between the first shoulder 415 and the second shoulder 417.

[0067] In summary, the provided cable guide 400 ensures reliable positioning of cables 305 of a biopsy unit 300. The cable guide 400 can be easily and flexibly arranged on any component of a mammography system. This allows the cable guide 400 to be retrofitted even to existing mammography systems.

[0068] The foregoing description is intended to enable one skilled in the art to make and / or use the embodiments and variations thereof described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0069] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various disclosed aspects and embodiments are merely illustrative and are not to be considered limiting, with the true scope and spirit being defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Cable guide (400) for a mammography system (100), the cable guide (400) comprising: - a fastening device for securing the cable guide (400) to a component of a mammography system (100); - at least one guide body, wherein the guide body has a recess (403) delimited by a wall (401) for receiving lines (305), wherein the wall (401) spans a guide direction (F), so that lines (305) accommodated in the recess (403) extend substantially in the guide direction (F), wherein the wall (401) of the guide body has an insertion opening (405) for inserting lines (305) into the recess (403) substantially perpendicular to the guide direction (F). [2] Cable guide (400) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fastening device has a receptacle (407), wherein the receptacle (407) is designed to be plugged onto a component of a mammography system (100) in the guide direction (F), and wherein the receptacle (407) is dimensioned such that the cable guide (400) is fixed in a plugged-on state in at least one direction perpendicular to the guide direction (F) on the component of the mammography system (100). [3] Cable guide (400) according to the preceding claim, wherein the receptacle (407) has a first receiving channel (409) and a second receiving channel (411), wherein the first receiving channel (409) and the second receiving channel (411) enclose an angle different from 0° or 180°, wherein the first receiving channel (409) and the second receiving channel (411) are designed for substantially play-free interaction with the component, so that the cable guide (400) is completely fixed to the component of the mammography system (100) in the plugged-on state perpendicular to the guide direction (F). [4] Cable guide (400) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first receiving channel (409) and the second receiving channel (411) extend perpendicular to the guide direction (F). [5] Cable guide (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device has a clamping means (413) for fixing the cable guide (400) to the component of the mammography system (100). [6] Cable guide (400) according to the preceding claim, wherein the clamping means (413) has a first shoulder (415) and a second shoulder (417) spaced apart from the first shoulder (415) with respect to the guide direction (F), wherein the second shoulder (417) is displaceable substantially perpendicular to the guide direction (F). [7] Cable guide (400) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first shoulder (415) and the second shoulder (417) are connected to one another by an elastically deformable spring portion (419). [8] Cable guide (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (407) is designed to receive a compression plate holder (120) of the mammography system (100) and / or the clamping means (413) is designed to clamp the compression plate holder (120) of the mammography system (100). [9] Cable guide (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insertion opening (405) comprises a slot extending in the guide direction (F) and / or a slot in the wall (401) extending obliquely to the guide direction (F). [10] Mammography system (100) comprising: - a base body (107), - a biopsy unit (300) fixed with respect to the base body (107), wherein the biopsy unit (300) comprises at least one line (305) for connecting the biopsy unit (300) to an auxiliary device, - a cable guide (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable guide (400) is fixed by means of the fastening device with respect to a reference component (107, 120) of the mammography system (100), wherein the at least one line (305) is received in the recess (403) of the line guide (400). [11] Mammography system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the mammography system (100) further comprises at least one compression plate (106), wherein the reference component is a compression plate holder and the compression plate (106) is fixed by means of a compression plate holder (120) with respect to the main body (107) of the mammography system (100), wherein the at least one line guide (400) is arranged by means of the fastening device on the compression plate holder (120). [12] Mammography system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the compression plate holder (120) has a first web (121) and a second web (123) extending at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to the first web (121), wherein the first web (121) and the second web (123) merge into one another at an intersection point, wherein the line guide (400) is arranged on the first web (121), on the second web (123) or at the intersection point. [13] Mammography system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cable guide (400) is designed according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the first web (121) is received in the first receiving channel (409) and the second web (123) is received in the second receiving channel (411). [14] Mammography system (100) according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the cable guide (400) is designed according to one of claims 6 to 9, and the distance of the first shoulder (415) from the second shoulder (417) corresponds to a height of the first web (121) of the clamping plate holder (120) and / or a height of the second web (123) of the clamping plate holder (120). [15] Mammography system (100) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the biopsy unit (300) comprises at least one power line, at least one signal line and / or at least one vacuum line, wherein the power line, the signal line and / or the vacuum line are received in the recess (403) of the line guide (400).

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