Mammography system with protection unit

Abstract

The utility model relates to a mammography system (1), which is provided with a) a vertical unit (2) used for arranging the mammography system on a floor; b) an L-shaped source unit (3), one leg (4) of which is rotatably mounted at the front side of the upright unit is connected to the X-ray detector (20) and the other leg (5) protrudes substantially vertically such that the X-ray source (6) is arranged at the end of the source unit remote from the upright unit; c) a substantially U-shaped protective unit (7), the first leg (9) of which is fastened in a rotatably mounted manner to the upright unit, in particular on the rear side thereof, in particular independently of the source unit, and the second leg (10) extends along the upper side of the source unit in a first operating state, and the third foot (11) has a protective cover (8) for supporting the head of the patient at the end of the protective unit facing away from the upright element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a breast X-ray photography system with a protection unit. The protection unit protects the head of an inspection object from colliding with an X-ray source. Background Art

[0002] In X-ray-based breast imaging, female patients are examined in a standing position as standard. The breast is supported on an X-ray detector in this case; opposite the detector is an X-ray tube, which is deflected relative to the detector normal in the case of 3D recordings (tomography). In modern systems, the X-ray tube moves at a speed of more than 2° per second. The X-ray tube is positioned at a distance of about 650 mm from the detector, which means that for many female patients, the movement of the tube occurs at head height. Due to the necessary positioning, there is only a distance of a few centimeters between the moving tube and the patient's head. Therefore, a collision with the moving X-ray tube is theoretically possible and should be excluded as much as possible by the hardware and software of the system.

[0003] From the publication DE 10 2006 007 833 A1 an imaging device, for example a mammography device, is known for producing radiographic images of an object and / or images reconstructed by tomosynthesis. The imaging device comprises an X-ray source, a breast holding device arranged between the X-ray source and an image receptor, wherein the X-ray source is arranged in a head element, which is fastened to a rotatably supported arm, which is carried by a first slide sliding on a column, and at least one radiation-transmissive compression plate, which is arranged between the radiation source and the breast holding device and is mounted for sliding on a second slide in order to compress the breast of a female patient. The device has at least one shield for protecting the head or neck of the female patient, wherein the shield can be held in a fixed position between the track of the X-ray source and the head or neck of the female patient during tomographic recording in which the X-ray source rotates, or when a radiographic image is to be recorded, the shield can be held between the X-ray source and the head or neck of the female patient, wherein the shield can be pulled back or removed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide a breast X-ray photography system which can protect female patients comfortably.

[0005] According to the utility model, the object is achieved by a breast X-ray imaging system, which has: a. an erection unit, which is used to place the breast X-ray imaging system on the floor, b. an L-shaped source unit, wherein one leg of the source unit rotatably supported at the front side of the erection unit is connected to the X-ray detector, and the other leg protrudes basically vertically, so that the X-ray source is arranged at the end of the source unit away from the erection unit, c. a basically U-shaped protection unit, wherein the first leg of the protection unit is fastened to the erection unit in a rotatable manner, the second leg extends along the upper side of the source unit in a first operating state, and the third leg has a protective cover for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protection unit away from the erection element.

[0006] The utility model can particularly relate to a breast X-ray imaging system, wherein the breast X-ray imaging system has:

[0007] - a standing unit for placing the mammography system on the floor,

[0008] an L-shaped source unit, one foot of which is rotatably supported at the front side of the stand unit and is connected to the X-ray detector and the other foot of which protrudes essentially vertically, so that the X-ray source is arranged at the end of the source unit facing away from the stand element or the stand unit,

[0009] - A substantially U-shaped protective unit, wherein a first leg of the protective unit is fastened to the upright unit, preferably to the back side of the upright unit, in a rotatable manner independently of the source unit, a second leg extends along the upper side of the source unit in a first operating state, and a third leg has a protective cover for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protective unit remote from the upright element.

[0010] The mammography system is designed to be arranged and fastened on a floor, in particular on a floor of an examination room. A stand unit stands on the floor. An L-shaped source unit is arranged at the stand unit. The source unit is connected to the stand unit in a rotatably supported manner, so that digital full-field mammography recording and tomosynthesis recording from different recording angles, such as cranio-caudal or mediolateral-oblique, can be achieved. The source unit is L-shaped. The support foot extends substantially parallel to the front of the stand unit and includes a rotatably supported connection to the stand unit. In addition, an X-ray detector is arranged at the stand unit, which is also designed in a rotatably supported manner, or more precisely, the stand unit is also designed in a rotatably supported manner with respect to the source unit. By this, the source unit and the X-ray detector can be rotated independently of each other relative to the stand unit. The breast can be arranged in particular on the housing surface of the X-ray detector. The breast can be arranged as an examination object between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The X-ray detector can be stationary in particular during the X-ray recording. For a digital full-field mammography recording, the X-ray source can be arranged relative to the X-ray detector in such a way that the central beam of the X-ray source strikes the detection surface of the X-ray detector perpendicularly. For a tomosynthesis recording, the X-ray source can be rotated by means of the source unit, in particular within an angle range of 15 to 50 degrees. In the intermediate projection, the central beam can strike the detection surface perpendicularly.

[0011] The protection unit is U-shaped. The protection unit includes three legs. The first leg is fastened to the erection unit in a rotatable manner independently of the source unit. The first leg is preferably fastened to the back side of the erection unit in a rotatable or rotatable manner. In the first operating state, the second leg extends along the upper side of the source unit. Thereby, the first leg and the second leg can follow the shape of the back side of the erection unit and the shape of the upper side of the source unit. The third leg has a protective cover for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protection unit away from the erection element. The third leg can first follow the shape of the source unit, and then can continue, so that the protective cover is formed at the head height of the female patient or male patient or can be oriented at the head height of the female patient or male patient. The protective cover can be designed in particular so that the protective cover remains in a fixed position during the entire recording or examination, and the head can remain leaning against the protective cover during the entire recording or examination. Thereby, the head of the female patient or male patient can be advantageously protected, especially to prevent collision when the source unit moves. Advantageously, the fear of a collision can be reduced, resulting in a more comfortable inspection.

[0012] In particular, the protective unit can be advantageously improved with regard to hardware interfaces, collision protection and additional functions. Advantageously, fastening the protective unit independently of the source unit can simplify the operation of the mammography system. Advantageously, the head can be protected against collisions in an improved manner or the fear of such collisions can be reduced.

[0013] In one embodiment, a mammography system comprises a stand unit, a source unit and a protection unit. The stand unit is designed to place the mammography system on a floor. The L-shaped source unit has a foot rotatably supported at the front side of the stand unit, and the other foot protrudes substantially vertically, so that the X-ray source is arranged at the end of the source unit away from the stand unit. An X-ray detector is arranged at the front side of the stand unit. The X-ray detector can be rotatably supported in particular independently relative to the stand unit or the source unit. The protection unit, in particular a substantially U-shaped protection unit, can include three feet. The first foot can be included by the stand unit. The first foot can be fastened on the back side or the front side of the stand unit or fastened in the stand unit. The first foot can be fastened rigidly or can be fastened in a rotatably supported manner, in particular in a rotatably supported manner independently of the source unit. In the case where the first foot is included by the stand unit, the protection unit can be rigidly connected to the stand unit in particular. In the first operating state, the second foot can extend along the upper side of the source unit. The third foot has a protective cap for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protective unit remote from the upright element.

[0014] According to one aspect of the utility model, in the first operating state, the protection unit is substantially configured in a form-fitting manner along the back side of the erection unit and along the source unit. The protection unit follows the shape of the components at least from the rotatably supported fastening portion at the erection unit to the upper side of the source unit and along the upper side of the source unit. Preferably, a gap can be formed for frictionless movement of the source unit.

[0015] According to one aspect of the utility model, the protection unit is fixed in position in the recording state. During scanning (i.e. the movement of the X-ray source), the protection unit can be fixed in position. The protection unit can rotate as a whole. Automatic rotation can be performed according to the set view / task, or it can also be performed manually by MTRA. Positions, such as the head-tail position or the medial-lateral oblique position can be called views. For example, the protection unit can be rotated for recording in the medial-lateral oblique position. The position can describe the orientation of the protection unit in the second operating state.

[0016] According to one aspect of the utility model, the protective cover can be adapted to the object under examination. The contact surface with the patient can be moved and can be adjusted according to the patient's body shape or according to the view / task. The corresponding adjustment can be performed automatically according to the set view / set task.

[0017] The contact surface with the patient can be foldable. The protective unit can be foldable as a whole. The contact surface with the patient is removable and optionally replaceable. In this case, for example, a light-proof protective cover can be selected, for example for biopsy.

[0018] The correct function of the protection unit can be checked visually, for example by installing a light conductor which causes a corresponding light emission when correctly installed. In various embodiments, the protection unit can be fastened to the object table, the erection unit or to a stationary intermediate ring between the erection unit and the source unit.

[0019] The protective unit can be designed to be detachable and removable for transport and packaging of the device. The protective unit can include a device for fastening, for example, to a roof, such as the roof of a truck.

[0020] According to one aspect of the utility model, the protection unit includes a sensor for collision protection. In addition to its mechanical function of collision protection between the patient's head and the X-ray source, the protection unit can also include improved collision protection. Sensors, such as sensors based on ultrasound, light, sound or capacitive sensors, can be provided to detect the assumed collision before it occurs and automatically stop the system. Through the force sensor, when the lateral force acting on the protection unit is too large, the movement of the source unit can be interrupted. Possible squeezing can be prevented, for example, when a finger is located between the protection unit and the source unit. When the lateral force acting on the protection unit is too large, the protection unit can be folded so that squeezing can be prevented. The joint work of the sensor and the workflow with the help of the existing camera can output a collision warning early.

[0021] According to one aspect of the utility model, when a force exceeding a threshold value acts, the protective cover is automatically folded. The protective cover can be returned to the protective position, that is, flipped back to the original position, for re-recording.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, a signal connection is formed for transmitting the collision risk from the protection unit to the control device of the X-ray system. The signal connection can be realized by wire or wirelessly.

[0023] The protection unit can have additional functions. The protection unit can contain a mood light to achieve a comfortable atmosphere or display the operating state. Depending on the operating state, the protection unit, in particular the protective cover, can emit light in another color. The light-emitting portion can be formed in the region of the entire protection unit or in a sub-region. The protection unit can provide a light field (working light). With the help of the working light, the inspection space between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can be illuminated. The working light can especially illuminate the upper side of the X-ray detector, so that the positioning of the chest is simplified. The protection unit can project a mark onto the chest after the coordinate transmission. Advantageously, the chest can be positioned more simply and more accurately. The protection unit can display the state of the workflow or compression. The protection unit can have a display for this purpose. The protection unit can display the state of the workflow or compression by means of lighting. The working light can be automatically turned on via a presence sensor at the protection unit. For example, once a male or female patient approaches, the working light can be automatically activated. In addition, the presence sensor can affect the information on the display and switch between information for the patient and information for the MTA. For example, the display can be set to the patient or the MTA according to the approach direction.

[0024] The protective unit can contain a display with or without a touch surface or consist of such a display. Pulse measurement and / or temperature measurement can be performed via the touch surface. A projector can project information and also ambient light onto the protective unit. Information about vibrations can be communicated to the patient or the MTA via a force feedback function. The protective unit can have automatic or semi-automatic self-cleaning (automatic disinfection). The protective unit can contain an automatic roller holder so that the contact surface is replaced separately when the patient is changed (the contact surface is made of paper, cloth or film and is stabilized by solid material without contact with the patient). The position / orientation of the protective unit is checked via sensors and a warning can be output (when the set workflow does not match the position of the face shield).

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the protection unit includes a lighting unit. The lighting unit can include ambient light, namely, mood lighting, lighting corresponding to an operating state, pressure or workflow, or task lighting.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective unit comprises a display unit and / or an input unit. The display unit and / or the input unit can be formed in particular on the protective cover or above it in the region of the X-ray source on the source unit.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, a presence sensor is provided for distinguishing between an object to be examined and a user. The presence sensor can be formed in particular on the protective cover or above it in the region of the x-ray source on the source unit.

[0028] According to one aspect of the utility model, the protection unit comprises a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit can be configured in particular to clean the protection cover. The cleaning unit can provide cleaning by means of UV light or disinfectant.

[0029] According to one aspect of the utility model, the position sensor of the protection unit is connected to the control device of the X-ray system, thereby being able to transmit signals about the operating state, compression or workflow state, for example, by means of which the lighting can be controlled.

[0030] According to one aspect of the utility model, the protective cover has a convex curvature toward the object of examination. Thereby, the protective cover can be basically adapted to the shape of the head. Advantageously, the comfort of female or male patients can be improved. Advantageously, the lateral slipping of the head away from the protective cover can be avoided.

[0031] According to one aspect of the utility model, the shape of the protective cover is adapted to the shape of the head.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective cover comprises a temperature sensor and / or a pulse sensor. Advantageously, the state of the male or female patient can be determined. The state can relate to the degree of stress, in particular with respect to the degree of stress of the pulse sensor. The measured values ​​of the temperature sensor and / or the pulse sensor can be communicated to the MTRA, for example via a display unit or also acoustically or optically, in particular via a lighting unit. The measured values ​​of the temperature sensor and / or the pulse sensor can be stored with the log.

[0033] The protective cover can in particular have a novel shape. The curvature of the protective cover towards the female patient can be designed so that the woman can support her head as in a shell. It is difficult for the woman to lean her head past the protective cover, and the hair should not get into the light path or the tube movement. The curvature and width of the protective cover can be designed so that the woman's head can lean comfortably without feeling constrained. The protective cover can either be taken out or moved away, for example for examinations that do not require it. By means of the outward curvature, the woman can stabilize her head and lean comfortably. The advantage of the protective cover is that it is stationary and can be used in all examinations, even for tilted recordings, without the need for other protective covers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this case, it is shown:

[0035] Figure 1 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a first embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a second embodiment;

[0037] Figure 3 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a third embodiment;

[0038] Figure 4 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a fourth embodiment;

[0039] Figure 5 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a fifth embodiment;

[0040] Figure 6 A diagram schematically showing an X-ray system according to the present invention in a sixth embodiment, and

[0041] Figure 7 A diagram schematically shows an X-ray system according to the present invention in a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An exemplary implementation of an X-ray system 1 according to the present invention in a first embodiment is shown. The mammography system 1 has a stand unit 2 for placing the mammography system 1 on a floor. The mammography system 1 also has an L-shaped source unit 3, one foot 4 of which is rotatably supported at the front side of the stand unit 2 and is connected to the X-ray detector 20, while the other foot 5 protrudes substantially vertically, so that the X-ray source 6 is arranged at the end of the source unit 3 that is away from the stand element or the stand unit. The mammography system 1 also has a substantially U-shaped protective unit 7, a first foot 9 of which is fastened to the back side of the stand unit 2 in a rotatably supported manner independently of the source unit 3, a second foot 10 extends along the upper side of the source unit 3 in a first operating state, and a third foot 11 has a protective cover 8 for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protective unit 7 that is away from the stand element or the stand unit 2.

[0043] The protective unit 7 extends substantially in a form-fitting manner along the rear side of the standing unit 2 and is designed in the first operating state along the source unit 3. The protective unit 7 is stationary in the recording state.

[0044] The mammography system 1 is designed to be arranged and fastened on a floor, in particular the floor of an examination room. A stand unit 2 stands on the floor. An L-shaped source unit 3 is arranged on the stand unit 2. The source unit 3 is connected to the stand unit 2 in a rotatable manner so that digital full-field mammography recordings and tomosynthesis recordings from different recording angles, such as the cranial and caudal position or the medial and lateral oblique position, are realized. The source unit 3 is L-shaped. The support foot 4 extends substantially parallel to the front of the stand unit 2 and comprises a rotatably supported connection relative to the stand unit 2. In addition, an X-ray detector 20 is arranged on the stand unit 2, which is also designed in a rotatably supported manner, more precisely, the stand unit 2 is also designed in a rotatably supported manner with respect to the source unit 3. By this, the source unit 3 and the X-ray detector 20 can be rotated relative to the stand unit 2 independently of each other. The breast can be arranged in particular on the housing surface of the X-ray detector 20. The breast can be arranged as an examination object between the X-ray source 6 and the X-ray detector 20. The X-ray detector 20 can be stationary, in particular, during the X-ray recording. For a digital full-field mammography recording, the X-ray source 6 can be arranged relative to the X-ray detector 20 in such a way that the central beam of the X-ray source 6 strikes the detection surface of the X-ray detector 20 perpendicularly. For a tomosynthesis recording, the X-ray source 6 can be rotated by means of the source unit 3, in particular within an angular range of 15 to 50 degrees. In the intermediate projection, the central beam can strike the detection surface perpendicularly.

[0045] The protective unit 7 is U-shaped. The protective unit 7 comprises three legs 9, 10, 11. The first leg 9 is fastened to the erection unit 2 in a rotatable manner independently of the source unit 3. The first leg 9 is preferably fastened to the back side of the erection unit 2 in a rotatable or rotatable manner. In the first operating state, the second leg 10 extends along the upper side of the source unit 3. Thereby, the first leg 9 and the second leg 10 can follow the shape of the back side of the erection unit 2 and the shape of the upper side of the source unit 3. The third leg 11 has a protective cover 8 for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protective unit 7 away from the erection element or the erection unit 2. The third leg 11 can first follow the shape of the source unit 3 here, and can then continue so that the protective cover 8 is formed at the head height of a female patient or a male patient or can be oriented at the head height of a female patient or a male patient. In particular, the protective cap 8 can be designed such that it remains in a fixed position during the entire recording or examination and the head can remain resting against the protective cap 8 during the entire recording or examination.

[0046] In the first operating state, the protective unit 7 is formed essentially in a form-fitting manner along the back side of the erection unit 2 and along the source unit 3. The protective unit 7 continues at least from the rotatably mounted fastening on the erection unit 2 to the upper side of the source unit 3 and follows the shape of the components along the upper side of the source unit 3. Preferably, a gap can be formed for a frictionless movement of the source unit 3.

[0047] The protection unit 7 is fixed in position in the recording state. During scanning (i.e. movement of the X-ray source), the protection unit 7 can be fixed in position. The protection unit 7 can be rotated as a whole. Automatic rotation can be performed according to the set view / task or can also be performed manually by MTRA. Positions, such as the cranio-caudal position or the medio-lateral oblique position, can be referred to as views. For example, the protection unit 7 can be rotated to record in the medio-lateral oblique position. The position can describe the orientation of the protection unit 7 in the second operating state.

[0048] The protective cover 8 can be adapted to the object under examination. The contact surface with the patient can be movable and can be adjusted according to the patient's body shape or according to the view / task. The corresponding adjustment can be realized automatically according to the set view / set task.

[0049] The contact surface in contact with the patient can be folded. The protective unit 7 can be folded as a whole. The contact surface in contact with the patient is removable and optionally replaceable. In this case, for example, a light-proof protective cover 8 can be selected, for example, for biopsy.

[0050] The correct function of the protection unit 7 can be checked visually, for example by installing a light conductor which causes a corresponding light emission when correctly installed. In various embodiments, the protection unit 7 can be fastened to the object table, the erection unit 2 or to a stationary intermediate ring between the erection unit 2 and the source unit 3.

[0051] The protective unit 7 can be designed to be detachable and removable for transport and packaging of the device. The protective unit 7 can include a device for fastening, for example, to a roof, such as the roof of a truck.

[0052] The protection unit 7 comprises sensors for collision protection. In addition to its mechanical function of collision protection between the patient's head and the X-ray source 6, the protection unit 7 can include improved collision protection. Sensors based on ultrasound, light, sound or capacitive sensors can be provided, for example, in order to detect an assumed collision before it occurs and automatically stop the system. By means of force sensors, when the lateral forces acting on the protection unit 7 are too great, an interruption of the movement of the source unit 3 can be caused. This can prevent possible squeezing, for example when a finger is located between the protection unit 7 and the source unit 3. When the lateral forces acting on the protection unit 7 are too great, the protection unit 7 can be folded so that squeezing can be prevented. The joint operation of sensors and the workflow with the aid of existing cameras can output a collision warning at an early stage.

[0053] In the case of a force exceeding a threshold value, the protective cover 8 is automatically folded. The protective cover 8 can be returned to the protective position, ie flipped back to the original position, for re-recording.

[0054] A signal connection is provided for transmitting the risk of collision from the protection unit 7 to a control device of the x-ray system. The signal connection can be implemented in a wired or wireless manner.

[0055] The protection unit 7 can have additional functions. The protection unit 7 can contain ambient light to achieve a comfortable atmosphere or display the operating state. Depending on the operating state, the protection unit 7, in particular the protective cover 8, can emit light in another color. The lighting can be formed in the area of ​​the entire protection unit 7 or in a sub-area. The protection unit 7 can provide a light field (working light). With the help of the working light, the inspection space between the X-ray source 6 and the X-ray detector 20 can be illuminated. In particular, the working light can illuminate the upper side of the X-ray detector 20, so that the positioning of the chest is simplified. The protection unit 7 can project a mark onto the chest after the coordinate transmission. Advantageously, the chest can be positioned more simply and more accurately. The protection unit 7 can display the workflow status or the compression status. The protection unit 7 can have a display for this purpose. The protection unit 7 can display the status of the workflow or the compression by means of lighting. The working light can be automatically turned on via a presence sensor at the protection unit 7. For example, once a male or female patient approaches, the working light can be automatically activated. In addition, the presence sensor can affect the information on the display and switch between information for the patient and information for the MTA. For example, the display can be set to the patient or the MTA based on the approach direction.

[0056] The protective unit 7 can comprise a display with or without a touch surface or consist of such a display. Pulse measurement and / or temperature measurement can be performed via the touch surface. A projector can project information and also ambient light onto the protective unit 7. Information about vibrations can be communicated to the patient or the MTA via a force feedback function. The protective unit 7 can have automatic or semi-automatic self-cleaning (automatic disinfection). The protective unit 7 can comprise an automatic roller holder so that the contact surface is replaced separately when the patient is changed (the contact surface consists of paper, cloth or film and is stabilized via solid material without contact with the patient). Via sensors, the position / orientation of the protective unit 7 is checked and a warning can be output (when the set workflow is not compatible with the position of the mask).

[0057] The protection unit 7 comprises a lighting unit. The lighting unit can comprise ambient light, ie mood lighting, lighting corresponding to an operating state, pressure or workflow state or task lighting.

[0058] The protective unit 7 comprises a display unit and / or an input unit. The display unit and / or the input unit can be formed in particular on the protective cap 8 or above it in the region of the x-ray source 6 on the source unit 3 .

[0059] The presence sensor is provided for distinguishing between the object to be examined and the user. The presence sensor can be formed in particular on the protective cap 8 or above it in the region of the x-ray source 6 on the source unit 3 .

[0060] The protective unit 7 comprises a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit can be designed in particular for cleaning the protective cover 8. The cleaning unit can provide cleaning by means of UV light or a disinfectant.

[0061] The position sensor of the protective unit 7 is connected to the control device of the X-ray system or mammography system 1. This allows signals about operating states, compression or workflow states to be transmitted. For example, the lighting can be controlled using these signals.

[0062] The protective cap 8 has a convex curvature toward the object under examination. As a result, the protective cap 8 can be substantially adapted to the shape of the head. The shape of the protective cap 8 is adapted to the shape of the head.

[0063] The protective cover 8 comprises a temperature sensor and / or a pulse sensor. The state can relate to the degree of stress, in particular with respect to the degree of stress of the pulse sensor. The measured values ​​of the temperature sensor and / or the pulse sensor can be communicated to the MTRA, for example via a display unit or also acoustically or optically, in particular via a lighting unit. The measured values ​​of the temperature sensor and / or the pulse sensor can be stored with the log.

[0064] The protective cover 8 can in particular have a novel shape. The curvature of the protective cover 8 towards the female patient can be designed so that the lady can support her head as in a shell. It is difficult for the lady to lean with her head passing by the protective cover 8, and the hair should not get into the light path or the tube movement. The curvature and width of the protective cover 8 can be designed so that the lady's head can lean comfortably without feeling constrained. The protective cover 8 can either be taken out or moved away, for example for examinations that do not require it. By means of the outward curvature, the lady can stabilize her head and lean comfortably. The advantage of the protective cover 8 is that it is stationary and can be used in all examinations, even for tilted recordings, without the need for other protective covers 8.

[0065] Figures 2 to 7 Exemplary implementations of the X-ray system or mammography system according to the present invention are shown in the second to seventh embodiments. The protective cover 8 has a convex curvature toward the examination object. The shape of the protective cover 8 is adapted to the shape of the head. Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 An exemplary first embodiment of the protective cap 8 is shown in different views. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 An exemplary second embodiment of the protective cap 8 is shown in different views.

[0066] Although the details of the present invention have been described in detail through preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mammography system (1), It is characterized in that The mammography system has: a. an erection unit (2) for placing the mammography system on the floor, bL-shaped source unit (3), one leg (4) of the source unit rotatably supported at the front side of the erection unit is connected to the X-ray detector (20), and the other leg (5) protrudes substantially vertically, so that the X-ray source (6) is arranged at the end of the source unit away from the erection unit, c. A substantially U-shaped protective unit (7), wherein a first leg (9) of the protective unit is fastened to the upright unit in a rotatable manner, a second leg (10) extends along the upper side of the source unit in a first operating state, and a third leg (11) has a protective cover (8) for supporting the patient's head at the end of the protective unit remote from the upright element.

2. The mammography system according to claim 1, wherein the first foot (9) of the protective unit is fastened to the erection unit in a rotatably supported manner independently of the source unit.

3. The mammography system according to claim 1, wherein the first foot (9) of the protective unit is fastened on the back side of the erection unit in a rotatably supported manner. 4 . The mammography system according to claim 1 , wherein in a first operating state the protective unit is designed to be substantially form-fitting along a rear side of the erection unit and along the source unit.

5. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective unit is stationary in the recording state.

6. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective cover is adaptable to the examination object.

7. A mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protection unit comprises a sensor for collision protection.

8. Mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective cover is automatically folded in the event of an action of a force exceeding a threshold value. 9 . The mammography system according to claim 7 , wherein a signal connection is provided for transmitting the risk of collision from the protection unit to a control device of the mammography system.

10. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protection unit comprises an illumination unit.

11. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protection unit comprises a display unit and / or an input unit.

12. The mammography system according to claim 11, wherein a presence sensor is provided for distinguishing between the examination subject and the user.

13. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protection unit comprises a cleaning unit.

14. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the position sensor of the protection unit is connected to a control device of the mammography system.

15. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective cover has a convex curvature toward the examination object.

16. The mammography system of claim 15, wherein the shape of the protective cover is adapted to the shape of the head.

17. The mammography system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective cover comprises a temperature sensor and / or a pulse sensor.

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