Mammography apparatus

Abstract

To improve a workflow while reducing time and efforts to take in / out a protector.SOLUTION: A mammography apparatus includes; a bulb for irradiating a subject with an X-ray; a detector for detecting an X-ray radiated from the bulb; a protector for a subject; and a moving mechanism for moving the protector in a bulb direction and in a direction to withdraw from the detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and in the drawings relate to mammography devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, mammography devices for imaging breasts are equipped with a protective device that protects parts of the subject from X-rays so that they do not enter the X-ray irradiation area. This protective device is used during craniocaudal (CC) imaging (hereinafter referred to as CC imaging) because there is a possibility that the subject's face will enter the X-ray irradiation area. However, this protective device may not be necessary during mesolateral oblique (MLO) imaging (hereinafter referred to as MLO imaging) because there is a low possibility that the subject's face will enter the X-ray irradiation area. Furthermore, when positioning the subject in the mammography device 1 with the protective device attached, the user, such as a doctor or technician, must position the subject in the mammography device while avoiding the protective device, which can force them into an awkward position.

[0003] For this reason, some mammography devices allow the protective equipment to be removed. Such devices allow the user to manually attach or remove the protective equipment depending on the type of imaging being performed. However, devices with removable protective equipment require a storage location for the removed protective equipment. Furthermore, because both CC and MLO imaging may be performed during a single examination, it can be time-consuming for the user to retrieve and attach protective equipment from a storage location, or remove and return the protective equipment to the storage location during a single examination.

[0004] Furthermore, some mammography systems have protective equipment that can be movably attached to the ceiling of the examination room and positioned to prevent part of the subject from entering the X-ray irradiation area, depending on the type of imaging. Even when the protective equipment is retracted, however, the presence of the protective equipment near the system can still be an obstacle for the user when positioning the subject. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the workflow of mammography systems by reducing the hassle of taking protective equipment in and out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-231054 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to improve workflow while reducing the effort required to put on and take off protective equipment. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The mammography device according to the embodiment includes a tube that irradiates an X-ray onto a subject, a detector that detects the X-rays irradiated from the tube, protective equipment for the subject, and a movement mechanism that moves the protective equipment toward the tube and away from the detector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a mammography apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a mammography apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard is moving toward the bulb in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard has moved toward the bulb in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard is moving in a direction to retract from the X-ray detector in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing CC imaging using a mammography apparatus according to a comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how MLO imaging is performed using a mammography apparatus according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a first modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the imaging process executed by the mammography apparatus according to the second modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a subject is positioned in the mammography apparatus when CC imaging is performed in the mammography apparatus according to Modification 2. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a subject is positioned in the mammography apparatus when MLO imaging is performed in the mammography apparatus according to Modification 2. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 3. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a face guard in a mammography apparatus according to a third modification. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard according to Modification 3 is moving in a direction to retract from the X-ray detector. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a fourth modification. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard according to the fourth modification has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 5. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a sixth modification. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 7. [Figure 24] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 7. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating first guiding information displayed on a face guard according to Modification 7. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating second guiding information displayed on a face guard according to the seventh modification. [Figure 27] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 8. [Figure 28] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 8. [Figure 29] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to Modification 9. [Figure 30] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a tenth modification. [Figure 31] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus according to a tenth modification. [Figure 32] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to an eleventh modification. [Figure 33] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus according to an eleventh modification. [Figure 34]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector in the second embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard is moving toward the bulb in the second embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard has moved toward the bulb in the second embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard is moving in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a mammography device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be given only when necessary.

[0010] [First embodiment] The configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described using Figures 1 to 3. Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the external appearance of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment. More specifically, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a view of the mammography apparatus 1 in Figure 1 as seen from the direction of arrow C1. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mammography apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

[0011] 1 to 3, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an imaging device 10 and a console device 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the imaging device 10 includes a base 101, a stand 103, a tube support arm 105, a breast support table 107, a compression paddle 109, a face guard 111, a moving mechanism 113, a high-voltage device 115, an X-ray tube 117, an X-ray adjustable diaphragm 119, an diaphragm driver 121, an X-ray detector 123, a compression paddle driver 125, and an arm driver 127. The console device 30 further includes a processing circuit 301, an input interface 303, an output interface 305, a memory circuit 307, and a communication circuit 309.

[0012] The entire mammography apparatus 1 is placed on a base 101, which is installed, for example, on the floor of an examination room. A stand 103 is erected on the base 101 so as to be movable up and down, and supports a tube support arm 105. Specifically, the stand 103 moves up and down in the direction of arrow A1 shown in Figure 1, thereby moving the tube support arm 105 and breast support table 107 up and down.

[0013] The tube support arm 105 supports an X-ray tube. The tube support arm 105 is rotatably supported on the stand 103 via an arm support section. The tube support arm 105 can rotate independently of the breast support table 107 while maintaining the position of the breast support table 107, and can also rotate together with the breast support table 107 depending on the settings. In other words, the tube support arm 105 can rotate in the R direction shown in FIG. 1 relative to the stand 103, either independently of the breast support table 107 or together with the breast support table 107. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube support arm 105 according to this embodiment is provided with a guard opening 1051, a first operation opening 1052, and an X-ray emission port 1053.

[0014] The guard opening 1051 is an opening for inserting and removing the face guard 111. This guard opening 1051 is provided near the X-ray emission port 1053. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the guard opening 1051 is provided between the X-ray emission port 1053 and the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105 with respect to the mammography apparatus 1 so that the face guard 111 is positioned between the X-ray emission port 1053 and the X-ray emission port 1053. This guard opening 1051 corresponds to the first opening in this embodiment.

[0015] The first operation opening 1052 is an opening for operating a slider that receives a movement operation from the user for moving the face guard 111 in the movement mechanism 113. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first operation opening 1052 is provided on the second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105. The first operation opening 1052 has a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The shape of the first operation opening 1052 is not limited to a rectangle. In other words, the shape of the first operation opening 1052 is arbitrary. The second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105 corresponds to the side surface of the tube support arm 105 in this embodiment.

[0016] The X-ray emission port 1053 is an opening for emitting X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube to the subject. This X-ray emission port 1053 is provided near the exit port of the X-ray diaphragm 116 in the tube support arm 105. As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray emission port 1053 in this embodiment has a rectangular shape. However, the shape of the X-ray emission port 1053 is not limited to a rectangle. In other words, the shape of the X-ray emission port 1053 is arbitrary.

[0017] The breast support table 107 is a table that supports the breast of the subject during X-ray imaging, and has a support surface on which the breast is supported. The breast support table 107 is supported by the stand 103 via an arm support section, and the stand 103 moves up and down to adjust the height according to the subject's height. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the breast support table 107 has an X-ray detector 123 inside.

[0018] The compression plate 109 is a compression device provided above the breast support table 107 in order to compress the breast of the subject between it and the breast support table 107 during X-ray imaging. The compression plate 109 is made of transparent resin and is supported so that it can move toward and away from the breast support table 107. In other words, the compression plate 109 can move up and down in the direction A2 shown in FIG. 1. The compression plate 109 also compresses the breast of the subject by moving toward the breast support table 107, making it possible to make the thickness of the breast of the subject placed on the breast support table 107 thin and approximately uniform.

[0019] The face guard 111 is a protective device that prevents a part of the subject from entering an X-ray irradiation area where X-rays are irradiated, thereby protecting the part of the subject from X-rays. Here, the part of the subject refers to the face, hair, head, or other parts of the subject. The face guard 111 is formed, for example, from a plate-like transparent resin. This face guard 111 corresponds to the protective equipment in this embodiment.

[0020] The movement mechanism 113 moves the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. Here, the tube direction is the X-ray irradiation direction, that is, the direction from the X-ray tube 117 toward the X-ray detector 123. As shown in FIG. 1, the movement mechanism 113 moves the face guard 111 up and down in the A3 direction. The movement mechanism 113 according to this embodiment receives a movement operation from the user and moves the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector through the guard opening 1051. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the movement mechanism 113 according to this embodiment has a rail 1131 and a slider 1132.

[0021] The rails 1131 are members for moving the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 is provided with two rails 1131. The number of rails 1131 is not limited to two. That is, the number of rails 1131 provided in the moving mechanism 113 is arbitrary, and may be one, or may be three or more. The rails 1131 correspond to the first moving member in this embodiment.

[0022] The slider 1132 is a member that receives a movement operation from the user. The slider 1132 is provided on the second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105. The slider 1132 moves on the rails 1131 to move the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123.

[0023] The high voltage device 115 supplies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 117 under the control of the processing circuit 301. For example, the high voltage device 115 has electric circuits such as a transformer and a rectifier, and includes a high voltage generator that generates a high voltage to be applied to the X-ray tube 117, and an X-ray control device that controls the output voltage according to the X-rays irradiated by the X-ray tube 117. The high voltage generator may be of a transformer type or an inverter type.

[0024] The X-ray tube 117 irradiates the subject with X-rays. This X-ray tube 117 is a vacuum tube having a cathode (filament) that generates thermoelectrons and an anode (target) that generates X-rays upon collision with the thermoelectrons, and generates X-rays. Specifically, the X-ray tube 117 is connected to the high-voltage device 115, and generates X-rays by irradiating thermoelectrons from the cathode toward the anode using a high voltage supplied from the high-voltage device 115. This X-ray tube 117 corresponds to the tube in this embodiment.

[0025] The movable X-ray diaphragm 119 has an X-ray aperture for limiting the irradiation range of X-rays, and allows X-rays to pass through the X-ray aperture while restricting the passage of X-rays in areas other than the X-ray aperture. In this embodiment, the movable X-ray diaphragm 119 has diaphragm blades.

[0026] The aperture blades have a blade-like aperture made of lead etc. The aperture blades are arranged at the exit port of the X-ray tube 117, and limit the irradiation range of the X-rays generated by the X-ray tube 117 by moving the aperture.

[0027] The aperture driver 121 is composed of a motor and the like, and under the control of the processing circuit 301, moves the aperture blades in parallel to move the position of the X-ray aperture and controls the shape of the X-ray aperture of the aperture blades.

[0028] The X-ray detector 123 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 117. For example, it is an X-ray flat panel detector (FPD) having detecting elements arranged in a matrix. The X-ray detector 123 is housed in the breast support table 107 and arranged to face the X-ray tube 117. The X-ray detector 123 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 117 and transmitted through the breast of the subject supported by the breast support table 107, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected X-ray dose to the processing circuitry 301. The X-ray detector 123 may be an indirect conversion type detector having a grid, a scintillator array, and a photosensor array, or may be a direct conversion type detector having a conversion film that converts incident X-rays into charge signals. This X-ray detector 123 corresponds to the detector according to this embodiment.

[0029] The compression plate driver 125 is composed of a motor that moves the compression plate 109 in the up and down direction. Under the control of the processing circuit 301, the compression plate driver 125 moves the compression plate 109 toward the support surface of the breast support table 107, thereby compressing the breast of the subject placed on the breast support table 107 and making the thickness of the breast of the subject placed on the breast support table 107 thin and approximately uniform.

[0030] The arm driver 127 is composed of a motor, an actuator, etc. that reads a drive signal from the processing circuit 301 and rotates the tube support arm 105 and the breast support table 107 via the arm support unit. The arm driver 127 rotates the tube support arm 105 and the breast support table 107, allowing the mammography device 1 to perform CC imaging, MLO imaging, etc.

[0031] Next, the processing circuit 301, the input interface 303, the output interface 305, the memory circuit 307, and the communication circuit 309 in the console device 30 will be described.

[0032] The processing circuit 301 is a control circuit that performs overall control of the mammography apparatus 1. The processing circuit 301 is also an arithmetic circuit that performs various calculations, and is configured with a processor such as a CPU or GPU. The processing circuit 301 according to this embodiment controls, for example, the high-voltage device 115, the aperture driver 121, the compression paddle driver 125, and the arm driver 127, and generates X-ray images.

[0033] For this reason, the processing circuit 301 according to this embodiment has a drive control function 3011 and an image generation function 3012. The drive control function 3011 corresponds to the drive control unit in this embodiment, and the image generation function 3012 corresponds to the image generation unit in this embodiment.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the processing functions performed by the drive control function 3011 and the image generation function 3012 are stored in the storage circuitry 307 in the form of computer-executable programs. The processing circuitry 301 is a processor that reads the programs from the storage circuitry 307 and executes them to realize the functions corresponding to the programs. In other words, the processing circuitry 301 in a state in which the programs have been read out has the functions shown in the processing circuitry 301 in Fig. 3. Note that, although Fig. 3 has been described as a single processing circuit 301 realizing the drive control function 3011 and the image generation function 3012, the processing circuitry 301 may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and these functions may be realized by each processor executing a program.

[0035] The input interface 303, for example, accepts various input operations from a user, converts the accepted input operations into electrical signals, and outputs the signals to the processing circuit 301. For example, the input interface 303 accepts input of information about the subject and imaging conditions for imaging the subject. The input interface 303 is realized by, for example, a mouse, keyboard, trackball, manual switch, foot switch, button, joystick, etc. The input interface 303 may be configured by a tablet terminal or the like capable of wireless communication with the mammography apparatus 1. Here, the imaging conditions are conditions for controlling the imaging apparatus 10 to image the subject P. The imaging conditions include, for example, an imaging mode such as CC imaging, MLO imaging, or tomosynthesis imaging, an imaging region such as the right breast or left breast, an imaging order, an imaging time, and an imaging angle.

[0036] The output interface 305 is connected to the processing circuitry 301, etc., and outputs various images and information based on signals supplied from the processing circuitry 301, etc. The output interface 305 outputs, for example, X-ray images of the subject captured by the mammography apparatus 1, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various instructions and settings from the user via the input interface 303. The output interface 305 may be a desktop type, or may be configured as a tablet terminal or the like capable of wireless communication with the mammography apparatus 1.

[0037] The memory circuitry 307 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. In this embodiment, for example, the memory circuitry 307 stores programs executed by circuits included in the mammography apparatus 1, imaging conditions, X-ray images captured by the mammography apparatus 1, etc.

[0038] The communication circuit 309 implements various information communication protocols according to the type of network. The communication circuit 309 realizes communication with a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and other devices via the network in accordance with these various protocols. The communication circuit 309 transmits X-ray images captured by the mammography device 1 to other devices.

[0039] Next, the insertion and removal of the face guard 111 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 in the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111 has moved toward the tube in the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111 has moved toward the tube in the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 in the first embodiment. Figs. 4 to 7 will explain the insertion and removal of the face guard 111 when MLO imaging is performed after CC imaging.

[0040] In X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, for example, when CC imaging is performed, there is a possibility that part of the subject may enter the X-ray irradiation area, and therefore a face guard 111 is used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., when the face guard 111 is located in a storage position, which is a predetermined position within the tube support arm 105, the face guard 111 needs to be moved to a use position, which is a position between the X-ray irradiation area and the subject P. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the user moves the slider 1132 in the A4 direction. Then, the moving mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user to move the slider 1132 in the A4 direction, and in conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111 moves in the A5 direction on the rails 1131, thereby moving the face guard 111 toward the tube via the guard opening 1051. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, face guard 111 is moved toward the bulb, that is, face guard 111 is placed in the use position.

[0041] On the other hand, in X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, if MLO imaging is performed after CC imaging, the face guard 111 is not required. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the face guard 111 has moved toward the tube, i.e., when the face guard 111 is located in the use position, it is necessary to move the face guard 111 to the storage position. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the user moves the slider 1132 in the A6 direction. Then, the movement mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user to move the slider 1132 in the A6 direction. In conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111 moves on the rail 1131 in the A7 direction, thereby moving the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 via the guard opening 1051. Then, when the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., when the face guard 111 is located in the storage position, as shown in FIG. 4,

[0042] Here, a comparative example having a different configuration from the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing CC imaging using a mammography apparatus according to the comparative example. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing MLO imaging using a mammography apparatus according to the comparative example. In FIGS. 8 and 9, components similar to those in the mammography apparatus 1 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] In the mammography apparatus according to this comparative example, the face guard 111 is fixed to the tube support arm 105 and cannot be attached or detached. First, when CC imaging is performed in the mammography apparatus according to the comparative example, the user, technician T, positions the subject P in the mammography apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, when CC imaging is performed, the user can position the subject P in the mammography apparatus in a natural position without avoiding the face guard 111. However, as shown in FIG. 8, when MLO imaging is performed in the mammography apparatus according to the comparative example, the face guard 111 according to the comparative example cannot be attached or detached, so technician T must position the subject P in the mammography apparatus while avoiding the face guard 111. Therefore, in the mammography apparatus according to the comparative example, the user, such as technician T, is forced to assume an awkward position, which increases the burden on the user.

[0044] Furthermore, some mammography devices have a face guard 111 that is detachable from the tube support arm 105. When MLO imaging is performed using such a mammography device with a detachable face guard 111, the face guard 111 can be removed, allowing the user to position the subject P in the mammography device in a natural posture without having to avoid the face guard 111. However, when CC imaging and MLO imaging are performed in a single examination, it is time-consuming for the user to bring the face guard 111 from its storage location and attach it, or remove the face guard 111 and return it to its storage location, which can hinder the workflow of image diagnosis using a mammography device.

[0045] On the other hand, in the mammography apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user and moves the face guard 111 through the guard opening 1051 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, thereby improving the workflow while reducing the effort required to insert and remove the face guard 111. That is, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 includes a rail 1131 and a slider 1132, and receives a movement operation from the user to move the slider 1132. The face guard 111 moves in conjunction with the movement of the slider 1132, thereby moving the face guard 111 through the guard opening 1051 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. This eliminates the need for the user to attach or detach the face guard 111 to or from the tube support arm 105, thereby reducing the effort required for the user to insert or remove the face guard 111.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the mammography device 1 of this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 stores the face guard 111 within the tube support arm 105, eliminating the need for a storage space for the face guard 111 and reducing the floor space required by the mammography device 1.

[0047] In the first embodiment described above, the first operation opening 1052 is provided on the second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105, but this is not limiting. That is, the first operation opening 1052 may be provided at any position on the tube support arm 105, and for example, the first operation opening 1052 may be provided on the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105. That is, the slider 1132 may be provided on the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105.

[0048] [Variation 1] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the user manually moves the face guard 111 toward the tube or in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 using the manually operated movement mechanism 113, but it is also possible to electrically move the face guard 111 toward the tube or in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 1, and explain the parts that differ from the first embodiment described above.

[0049] First, the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 1 will be described using Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 1. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 1, and corresponds to Figure 3 in the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding a protection unit driver 129, an elevation button 131, and a movement control function 3013 in the processing circuit 301 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, since the configurations of the tube support arm and the movement mechanism differ from those of the first embodiment, in Modification 1 they are referred to as a tube support arm 105a and a movement mechanism 113a. The movement control function 3013 corresponds to the movement control unit in this modification. Furthermore, the configurations and functions other than the tube support arm 105a, the movement mechanism 113a, the protection unit drive unit 129, the lift button 131, and the movement control function 3013 are the same as those in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described again.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the moving mechanism 113a according to this modification includes a ball screw 1131a. That is, the moving mechanism 113a according to this modification differs from the moving mechanism 113 according to the first embodiment in that it does not include a slider 1132. The ball screw 1131a is a member that is driven by the protector driving unit 129 to move the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. The ball screw 1131a corresponds to the first moving member in this modification. Note that, although the ball screw 1131a has been described as an example of a member that moves the face guard 111 in this modification, the member that moves the face guard 111 in this modification is not limited to the ball screw 1131a. That is, the member that moves the face guard 111 may be any member and may be configured by a linear guide or the like.

[0051] Also, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the tube support arm 105a of this modified example differs from the tube support arm 105 of the first embodiment described above in that it does not have a first operating opening 1052.

[0052] The protector driving unit 129 is a motor, an actuator, or the like for driving the face guard 111. Under the control of the processing circuit 301, the protector driving unit 129 drives the moving mechanism 113a to move the face guard 111. Specifically, the protector driving unit 129 drives the moving mechanism 113a to move the face guard 111 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123.

[0053] The lift button 131 is a button for switching between lifting and lowering the face guard 111. This lift button 131 outputs a lift signal and a lower signal for the face guard 111 to the console device 30. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the lift button 131 is provided on the second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105a. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the lift button 131 has an lift button 1311 and a lower button 1312. When the user presses the lift button 1311, the lift button 131 outputs a lift signal. Also, when the user presses the lower button 1312, the lift button 131 outputs a lower signal.

[0054] The movement control function 3013 controls the movement mechanism 113a. Specifically, the movement control function 3013 controls the movement mechanism 113a by controlling the protection unit drive unit 129. The movement control function 3013 according to this modification controls the movement mechanism 113a based on an up signal or a down signal output from the lift button 131.

[0055] Specifically, when the face guard 111 has moved toward the tube, i.e., when it is in the use position, the user presses the up button 1311, which causes the movement control function 3013 according to this modification to move the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 based on a preset retraction amount. Also, when the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., when it is in the storage position, the user presses the down button 1312, which causes the movement control function 3013 according to this modification to move the face guard 111 toward the tube based on a preset lowering amount. These preset retraction amount and lowering amount are each the movement amount for moving the face guard 111 between the use position and the storage position, and are stored in the memory circuitry 307, for example.

[0056] As described above, the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example is equipped with a protection unit drive unit 129, a lift button 131, and a movement control function 3013. When the user presses the lift button 131, the movement control function 3013 controls the protection unit drive unit 129 and the movement mechanism 113a to move the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 based on a preset retraction amount, or to move the face guard 111 toward the tube based on a preset lowering amount. Therefore, as with the mammography apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, during a single examination, the user does not need to bring the face guard 111 from its storage location and attach it, or remove the face guard 111 and return it to its storage location, thereby reducing the effort required of the user in taking the face guard 111 in and out.

[0057] In the above-described first modification, the user operates the lift button 131, causing the movement control function 3013 to control the movement mechanism 113a, but the object operated by the user when controlling the movement mechanism 113 is not limited to the lift button 131. In other words, the object operated by the user when controlling the movement mechanism 113a is arbitrary, and for example, the user may operate the input interface 303, causing the movement control function 3013 to control the movement mechanism 113a.

[0058] [Variation 2] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the user manually moves the face guard 111 toward the tube or in a direction away from the X-ray detector 123, but it is also possible for the mammography apparatus 1 to control the movement mechanism according to the imaging direction to automatically move the face guard 111. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 2, and explain the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 2, corresponding to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 12, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding a protection unit driver 129 and a movement control function 3013a in the processing circuit 301 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, since the configurations of the tube support arm and the movement mechanism are different from those of the first embodiment, in Modification 1 they are referred to as the tube support arm 105a and the movement mechanism 113a. The movement control function 3013a corresponds to the movement control unit in this modification. Furthermore, the configuration other than the tube support arm 105a, the movement mechanism 113a, the protection unit driver 129, and the movement control function 3013a is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the configurations of the tube support arm 105a, the moving mechanism 113a, and the protector driving unit 129 are the same as those in FIG. 11 in the above-described first modification, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] The movement control function 3013a controls the movement mechanism 113a. Specifically, the movement control function 3013 controls the movement mechanism 113a by controlling the protection unit driving unit 129. The movement control function 3013 according to this modification controls the movement mechanism 113a based on the imaging conditions. More specifically, the movement control function 3013a controls the movement mechanism 113a based on the imaging conditions to move the face guard 111 toward the tube when CC imaging is performed, and to move the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 when MLO imaging is performed.

[0061] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the imaging process executed by the mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 2. In this imaging process, the mammography apparatus 1 moves the face guard 111 to the use position when CC imaging is performed, and moves the face guard 111 to the storage position when MLO imaging is performed. For example, this imaging process is executed when the processing circuitry 301 acquires imaging conditions.

[0062] 13, first, the movement control function 3013a realized by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 acquires the imaging conditions (step S11). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a acquires the imaging conditions by accepting input of the imaging conditions from the user via the input interface 303. Note that the movement control function 3013a may also acquire the imaging conditions via the communication circuitry 309 from a radiology information system (RIS) or a terminal device used by a doctor.

[0063] 13, the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 determines whether CC imaging is to be performed (step S13). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a determines whether CC imaging is to be performed based on the imaging conditions acquired in step S11.

[0064] Then, in step S13, if CC imaging is to be performed (step S13: Yes), the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 determines whether the face guard 111 is in the stored position (step S15). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a determines whether the face guard 111 is placed in the stored position based on the output of a sensor (not shown) provided in the tube support arm 105a.

[0065] Then, in step S15, if the face guard 111 is in the storage position (step S15: Yes), the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 moves the face guard 111 to the use position (step S17). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a controls the protection unit drive unit 129 and the movement mechanism 113a to move the face guard 111 toward the tube. This moves the face guard 111 to the use position.

[0066] On the other hand, if the face guard 111 is not in the stored position in step S15 (step S15: No), or after step S17, the mammography apparatus 1 waits until the user positions the subject P in the mammography apparatus 1 (step S19). That is, the user positions the breast of the subject P in the mammography apparatus 1 based on the imaging conditions.

[0067] 14 is a diagram showing how subject P is positioned in mammography apparatus 1 when CC imaging is performed in mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 14, technician T, who is the user, positions the breast of subject P in mammography apparatus 1 by placing either the left or right breast of subject P on breast support table 107 based on the imaging conditions.

[0068] 13, the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography device 1 starts compression (step S21). Specifically, after the subject P is positioned in step S19, the drive control function 3011 starts compressing the breast of the subject P when the user operates the compression paddle 109.

[0069] 13, the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography device 1 performs CC imaging (step S23). Specifically, after the user compresses the breast in step S21, the drive control function 3011 performs CC imaging based on the imaging conditions when the user inputs an instruction for CC imaging via the input interface 303.

[0070] 13, the drive control function 3011 realized by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography device 1 ends compression (step S25). Specifically, after CC imaging is performed, the drive control function 3011 ends compression of the breast of the subject P when the user operates the compression paddle 109.

[0071] 13, the mammography apparatus 1 waits until the subject P is evacuated (step S27). That is, the user evacuates the subject P from the mammography apparatus 1.

[0072] 13, if CC imaging is not performed in step S13 (step S13: No), or after step S27, the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 determines whether MLO imaging is to be performed (step S29). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a determines whether MLO imaging is to be performed based on the imaging conditions acquired in step S11.

[0073] Then, in step S29, if MLO imaging is to be performed (step S29: Yes), the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 determines whether the face guard 111 is in the use position (step S31). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a determines whether the face guard 111 is placed in the use position based on the output of a sensor (not shown) provided in the tube support arm 105a.

[0074] Then, in step S31, if the face guard 111 is in the use position (step S31: Yes), the movement control function 3013a implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 moves the face guard 111 to the storage position (step S33). Specifically, the movement control function 3013a controls the protection unit drive unit 129 and the movement mechanism 113a to move the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. As a result, the movement control function 3013a moves the face guard 111 to the storage position.

[0075] On the other hand, if the face guard 111 is not in the use position in step S31 (step S31: No), or after step S33, the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuit 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 rotates the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 (step S35). Specifically, assuming that the angle of the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 in CC imaging is 0°, the drive control function 3011 rotates the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 so that the angle of the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 becomes a predetermined angle based on the imaging conditions.

[0076] 13, the mammography apparatus 1 waits until the subject P is positioned by the user (step S37). That is, the user positions the breast of the subject P in the mammography apparatus 1 based on the imaging conditions.

[0077] 15 is a diagram showing how subject P is positioned in mammography apparatus 1 when MLO imaging is performed in mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 15, technician T, who is the user, positions the breast of subject P in mammography apparatus 1 by placing either the left or right breast of subject P on breast support table 107 based on the imaging conditions. Note that the processing in step S39 after step S37 is equivalent to the processing in step S21 described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0078] 13, the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 performs MLO imaging (step S41). Specifically, after the user compresses the breast in step S39, the drive control function 3011 performs MLO imaging based on the imaging conditions when the user inputs an instruction for MLO imaging via the input interface 303. Note that the processes in steps S43 and S45 after step S41 are equivalent to the processes in steps S25 and S27, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0079] 13, the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography device 1 rotates the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 (step S47). Specifically, the drive control function 3011 rotates the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 so that the angle between the tube support arm 105a and the breast support table 107 in CC imaging is 0°.

[0080] After step S47 or if MLO imaging is not performed in step S29 (step S29: No), the drive control function 3011 implemented by the processing circuitry 301 of the mammography apparatus 1 determines whether imaging has ended (step S49). Specifically, the drive control function 3011 determines whether imaging has ended based on the imaging conditions. If imaging has not ended in step S49 (step S49: No), the process returns to step S13, and the process from step S13 is repeated until imaging is ended in step S49.

[0081] On the other hand, if the photographing has been completed (step S49: No), the photographing process according to this embodiment is completed.

[0082] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, the movement control function 3013a controls the movement mechanism 113a so that, based on the shooting conditions, the face guard 111 is placed in the usage position when CC shooting is performed, and the face guard 111 is placed in the storage position when MLO shooting is performed.Therefore, there is no need to attach or detach the face guard 111 to the tube support arm 105a during a single examination, and the face guard 111 can be inserted or removed without any user operation, thereby further reducing the effort required by the user to insert or remove the face guard 111.

[0083] [Variation 3] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the face guard 111 is configured from a plate-like member, but the face guard 111 can also be configured from a sheet-like member. Hereinafter, this modification applied to the first embodiment will be referred to as Modification 3, and differences from the first embodiment described above will be explained. This modification can also be applied to the other modifications described above.

[0084] First, the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 3 will be described using FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 3, showing a state in which the face guard according to Modification 3 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the face guard in a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 3. FIG. 17(a) is a conceptual diagram of the face guard according to Modification 3, and FIG. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view of the face guard taken along line AA of FIG. 17(a). As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the face guard and moving mechanism. Therefore, in Modification 1, these components are referred to as a face guard 111a and a moving mechanism 113b. Note that the configuration and functions other than the face guard 111a and the moving mechanism 113b are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 16 , the face guard 111a according to this modification is composed of a protective member 1111 and a support member 1113. The protective member 1111 is a member that protects the subject P. The protective member 1111 is a sheet-like member and is made of a material such as fiber, resin, rubber, or metal. The support members 1113 are attached to both ends of the protective member 1111 and are members around which the protective member 1111 is wrapped. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 17 , two support members 1113 are provided. Also, as shown in FIG. 16 , each of the two support members 1113 is provided so as to be movable along a respective rail 1131b (described later) in the tube direction and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. The support members 1113 are made of a material such as resin or metal.

[0086] The moving mechanism 113b according to this modification has a rail 1131b and a slider 1132. The configuration of the slider 1132 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Two rails 1131b according to this modification are provided. As shown in FIG. 16, the two rails 1131b are arranged inside the tube support arm 105 so that the distance between them increases toward the tube. The rails 1131b correspond to the first moving member in this modification.

[0087] Next, the insertion and removal of the face guard 111a according to Modification 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111a according to Modification 3 is moving in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, and corresponds to Fig. 7 in the first embodiment described above.

[0088] In X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification, for example, when CC imaging is performed and the face guard 111a is located in a storage position, which is a predetermined position within the tube support arm 105, the user moves the slider 1132 in the A4 direction as shown in FIG. 16. Then, the movement mechanism 113b receives a user instruction to move the slider 1132 in the A4 direction as a movement operation from the user. In conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111a moves in the A5 direction on the rails 1131b, thereby moving the face guard 111 toward the tube through the guard opening 1051. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, when the face guard 111a is located in the use position, the spacing between the support members 1113 increases, and the protective members 1111 are pulled out from the support members 1113 and deployed. On the other hand, when MLO imaging is performed, the user moves the slider 1132 in the A6 direction. Then, the movement mechanism 113b receives an operation to move the slider 1132 in the A6 direction as a movement operation from the user, and in conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111a moves on the rails 1131b in the A7 direction, thereby moving the face guard 111a in a direction to retract from the X-ray detector 123 via the guard opening 1051. Then, as shown in Fig. 17, when the face guard 111a is placed in the storage position, the spacing of the support members 1113 narrows, and the protective member 1111 is wound up by the support members 1113 and stored.

[0089] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, as in the mammography apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, there is no need to attach or remove the face guard 111a from the tube support arm 105, thereby reducing the user's effort in inserting and removing the face guard 111a.

[0090] Furthermore, in the mammography apparatus 1 according to variant example 3, the rails 1131b of the moving mechanism 113b are arranged on the tube support arm 105 so that the spacing between them becomes wider as they go toward the tube. Therefore, when the face guard 111a is in use, the protective member 1111 can be deployed relative to the support member 1113, thereby reducing the possibility of part of the subject P being exposed to X-rays, and when the face guard 111a is stored, the protective member 1111 is wrapped around the support member 1113, allowing it to be stored compactly.

[0091] [Variation 4] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the face guard 111 is completely housed within the tube support arm 105, but it is also possible to arrange the face guard 111 so that a portion of it protrudes from the tube support arm 105 through the guard opening 1051 without completely housed therein. Below, we will refer to the case where this modification is applied to modification 1 as modification 4, and explain the differences from modification 1 described above.

[0092] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 4, and corresponds to FIG. 11 in Modification 1 described above. As shown in FIG. 19, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification has a movement control function that is different from that of Modification 1, and therefore is referred to as movement control function 3013b in this modification. Note that movement control function 3013b corresponds to the movement control unit in this modification. Furthermore, the configuration and functions other than movement control function 3013b are the same as those in FIG. 11 in Modification 1 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] The movement control function 3013b controls the movement mechanism 113a. Specifically, the movement control function 3013b controls the protection unit driving unit 129 to control the movement mechanism 113a. The movement control function 3013b according to this modification controls the movement mechanism 113a based on an up signal or a down signal output from the up / down button 131. The up / down button 131 is an example of an input unit in the fourth modification.

[0094] Specifically, when the face guard 111 has moved in the direction toward the tube, i.e., when it is in the use position, and the user presses the up button 1311, the movement control function 3013b moves the face guard 111 in the direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 based on the operation time of the up button 1311. Also, when the face guard 111 has moved in the direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., when it is in the storage position, and the user presses the down button 1312, the movement control function 3013b moves the face guard 111 in the direction toward the tube based on the operation time of the down button 1312. That is, in this modification, the movement control function 3013b can move the face guard 111 for the operation time of the up / down button 131, i.e., while the up / down button 131 is being operated.

[0095] 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the face guard 111 according to Modification 4 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector. In the mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 4, when the face guard 111 is in the use position, the user presses the lift button 1311 to move the face guard 111 in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. For example, when about 80% of the face guard 111 is stored inside the tube support arm 105, the user stops operating the lift button 1311 to stop the movement of the face guard 111.

[0096] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, the face guard 111 is not completely stored, but is allowed to pop out to a degree that does not get in the way when the user, technician T, positions the subject P in the mammography apparatus 1. This reduces the storage space for the face guard 111 within the tube support arm 105, and makes the apparatus smaller than when the face guard 111 is completely stored within the tube support arm 105.

[0097] In the above-described fourth modification, the face guard 111 is stored approximately 80% within the tube support arm 105 so as not to interfere with the technician T's positioning of the subject P in the mammography device 1, but the proportion of the face guard 111 stored within the tube support arm 105 so as not to interfere with the technician T's positioning of the subject P in the mammography device 1 is not limited to 80%. In other words, the proportion of the face guard 111 stored within the tube support arm 105 is arbitrary, and for example, it is sufficient if the proportion of the face guard 111 stored within the tube support arm 105 is between 80% and 100%.

[0098] [Variation 5] The mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above can also be provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the face guard 111. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 5, and explain the differences from the first embodiment. Note that this modification can also be applied to the other modifications described above in the same way.

[0099] Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 5. As shown in Figure 21, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding a cleaning unit 133 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The configuration and functions other than this cleaning unit 133 are the same as those in Figures 1 to 3 of the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] Cleaning unit 133 is a mechanism for cleaning face guard 111. As shown in Fig. 21, cleaning unit 133 is provided on tube support arm 105. Cleaning unit 133 corresponds to the cleaning section in the fifth modification.

[0101] For example, the cleaning unit 133 includes a cleaning member 1331 that cleans the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 that comes into contact with the face of the subject P, and a cleaning member drive mechanism 1332 that drives the cleaning member 1331. In this modification, the cleaning member 1331 is, for example, a nonwoven fabric sheet or a wet tissue. In this modification, the cleaning member drive mechanism 1332 is, for example, a motor or an actuator that operates under the control of the processing circuit 301.

[0102] The cleaning member 1331 is normally provided inside the tube support arm 105 without contacting the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. When the user operates the slider 1132 to move the face guard 111 in a direction to retract it from the X-ray detector 123, the cleaning member drive mechanism 1332 moves the cleaning member 1331 so as to come into contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. When the user operates the slider 1132 while the cleaning member 1331 is in contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111, the cleaning unit 133 cleans the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 while the face guard 111 is retracted.

[0103] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, by providing the cleaning unit 133, the cleaning unit 133 cleans the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 while the face guard 111 is stored, thereby reducing the effort required for users such as technician T to clean the face guard 111 and improving the workflow.

[0104] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the fifth modification, the cleaning unit 133 may clean the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 after the face guard 111 is stored. In this case, after the face guard 111 is moved to the stored position, the cleaning member is brought into contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 by the cleaning member drive mechanism. The cleaning member is then moved in the vertical direction by the cleaning member drive mechanism while in contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. In this way, the cleaning unit 133 may clean the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111.

[0105] [Variation 6] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, it is also possible to sterilize the face guard 111 by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. Below, we will explain the difference between this modification and the first embodiment described above, assuming that this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 6. Note that this modification can also be applied to the other modifications described above in the same way.

[0106] Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 6. As shown in Figure 22, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding an ultraviolet irradiation unit 135 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The configuration and functions other than this ultraviolet irradiation unit 135 are the same as those in Figures 1 to 3 according to the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] The ultraviolet irradiator 135 irradiates the face guard 111 with ultraviolet rays. For example, the ultraviolet irradiator 135 has a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode) that emits ultraviolet rays, and emits ultraviolet rays under the control of the processing circuit 301. This light emitting element is configured, for example, with an LED having a peak wavelength around 350 nm or a deep ultraviolet LED that can emit a deep ultraviolet wavelength of 200 to 300 nm. As shown in FIG. 22 , the ultraviolet irradiator 135 is provided inside the tube support arm 105.

[0108] This ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 135 starts irradiating ultraviolet rays under the control of the processing circuit 301, for example, when the user operates the slider 1132 to start moving the face guard 111 in a direction to retract it from the X-ray detector 123. Then, when the user operates the slider 1132, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 135 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 while the face guard 111 is moving in a direction to retract it from the X-ray detector 123, that is, while the face guard 111 is being stored. In this way, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 135 sterilizes the face guard 111.

[0109] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, by providing an ultraviolet irradiation unit 135, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 135 sterilizes the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 while the face guard 111 is stored, thereby reducing the effort required for users such as technician T to clean the face guard 111 and improving the workflow.

[0110] [Variation 7] The mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above can also be provided with two face guards displaying different information. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 7, and explain the differences from the first embodiment described above. This modification can also be applied to the other modifications described above.

[0111] The configuration of the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification will be described using Figures 23 and 24. Figure 23 shows an example of the configuration of the mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 7. Figure 24 shows an example of the configuration of the tube support arm of the mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 7, and corresponds to Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above. As shown in Figure 23, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding a face guard 111_1 and a moving mechanism 113_1 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, because the configurations of the face guard and the tube support arm are different, in Modification 7 they are referred to as a face guard 111b and a tube support arm 105b. Note that the configuration other than the face guard 111_1, the moving mechanism 113_1, the face guard 111b, and the tube support arm 105b is the same as that shown in Figure 3 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described again. In the following description of this modified example, the face guard 111b will be referred to as the first face guard 111b, and the added face guard 111_1 will be referred to as the second face guard 111_1. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 113 will be referred to as the first moving mechanism 113, and the added moving mechanism 113_1 will be referred to as the second moving mechanism 113_1.

[0112] The tube support arm 105b according to this modification is provided with a guard opening 1051a, a first operation opening 1052, an X-ray emission port 1053, and a second operation opening 1054. Note that the first operation opening 1052 and the X-ray emission port 1053 are equivalent to the first operation opening 1052 and the X-ray emission port 1053 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The guard opening 1051a according to this modification is an opening for inserting and removing the first face guard 111b and the second face guard 111_1. The guard opening 1051a corresponds to the first opening in this modification. The second operation opening 1054 is an opening for operating a slider that receives a user's operation to move the second face guard 111_1 in the second movement mechanism 113_1, which will be described in detail later. As shown in FIG. 23 , in this embodiment, the second operation opening 1054 is provided on the second surface S2 of the tube support arm 105b. The second operation opening 1054 is also provided adjacent to the first operation opening 1052. In the example shown in FIG. 23 , the second operation opening 1054 has a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. Note that the shape of the second operation opening 1054 is not limited to a rectangle. That is, the shape of the second operation opening 1054 is arbitrary.

[0114] The first face guard 111b according to this modification displays first guidance information for guiding the subject P to take a first posture suitable for imaging a first imaging region of the subject P. Here, the first imaging region in this modification is the left breast of the subject P. The first posture according to this modification is a posture in which the subject P turns his / her face to the right. That is, the first guidance information according to this modification is information for guiding the subject P to turn his / her face to the right.

[0115] 25 is a diagram illustrating the first guide information displayed on the face guard 111b according to the seventh modification. In the example shown in FIG. 25, a model image of the subject P facing right is displayed on the first face guard 111b. In the example shown in FIG. 25, a model image of the subject P facing right is displayed on the first face guard 111b as the first guide information, but the first guide information displayed on the first face guard 111b is not limited to this. In other words, the content of the first guide information is arbitrary, and for example, text instructing the subject P to face right may be displayed as the first guide information.

[0116] The second face guard 111_1, like the first face guard 111b, is a protective device that prevents a part of the subject from entering an X-ray irradiation area where X-rays are irradiated, and protects the part of the subject from X-rays. The second face guard 111_1 according to this modification displays second guidance information for guiding the subject P to take a second posture suitable for imaging a second imaging region of the subject P. Here, in this modification, the second imaging region is the right breast of the subject P. The second posture according to this modification is a posture in which the subject P turns his / her face to the left. In other words, the second guidance information according to this modification is information for guiding the subject P to turn his / her face to the left.

[0117] FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining second guide information displayed on the face guard 111_1 according to Modification 7. In the example shown in FIG. 26, a model image of a subject turning their face to the left is displayed on the second face guard 111_1. In the example shown in FIG. 26, a model image of a subject turning their face to the left is displayed on the second face guard 111_1 as the second guide information, but the second guide information displayed on the second face guard 111_1 is not limited to this. That is, the content of the second guide information is arbitrary, and, for example, text instructing the subject P to turn their face to the left may be displayed as the second guide information. Note that the configuration of the second face guard 111_1 other than the above description is the same as the configuration of the face guard 111 in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0118] The second moving mechanism 113_1 moves the second face guard 111_1 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector. The second moving mechanism 113_1 according to this modification receives a movement operation from the user and moves the second face guard 111_1 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector via the guard opening 1051a. As shown in FIG. 23 , the second moving mechanism 113_1 according to this modification has a rail 1131_1 and a slider 1132_1.

[0119] The rail 1131_1 is a member for moving the second face guard 111_1 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. Note that the configuration of the second moving mechanism 113_1 other than that described above is the same as the configuration of the moving mechanism 113 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the configurations of the rail 1131_1 and the slider 1132_1 are the same as the configurations of the rail 1131 and the slider 1132 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] Next, the insertion and removal of the face guards 111b and 111_1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. When CC imaging is performed in X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification and the left breast of the subject P is to be imaged as the imaging region, the user moves the slider 1132 to move the first face guard 111b toward the tube, as shown in FIG. 25. Then, positioning of the subject P begins. On the other hand, when CC imaging is performed in X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification and the right breast of the subject P is to be imaged as the imaging region, the user moves the slider 1132_1 to move the second face guard 111_1 toward the tube, as shown in FIG. 26. Then, positioning of the subject P begins.

[0121] As described above, the mammography device 1 according to this modified example is provided with a first face guard 111b on which the first guidance information is displayed and a second face guard 111_1 on which the second guidance information is displayed, and the necessary face guard is moved in the tube direction depending on the area to be photographed, thereby guiding the subject P to assume a posture suitable for imaging, thereby reducing the effort required by the user to instruct the subject P on the posture.

[0122] [Variation 8] The mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above may be provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the face guard 111, and the cleaning unit may be configured to include a detachable cleaning member. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to modification 5 as modification 8, and explain the differences from modification 5 described above.

[0123] The configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 8 will be described using Figures 27 and 28. Figure 27 shows an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 8, and corresponds to Figure 21 in Modification 5 described above. Figure 28 shows an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 8. As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification differs from Modification 5 in the configuration of the cleaning unit, and therefore in this modification, this will be referred to as cleaning unit 133a. Note that the configuration and functions other than cleaning unit 133a are the same as those in Figures 1 to 3 in the first embodiment described above and Figure 21 in Modification 5 described above, and therefore will not be described again.

[0124] The cleaning unit 133a is a mechanism for cleaning the face guard 111. For example, the cleaning unit 133a includes a cleaning member 1331a and a cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333. The cleaning unit 133a corresponds to the cleaning section in the eighth modification.

[0125] The cleaning member 1331a is a member that cleans the face guard 111. The cleaning member 1331a is, for example, a sponge. The cleaning member 1331a is configured to be detachable from the tube support arm 105. As shown in FIG. 28 , the cleaning member 1331a according to this modification is provided between the guard opening 1051 and the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105. The cleaning member 1331a according to this modification is also arranged so that the cleaning member 1331a comes into contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 when the face guard 111 passes through the guard opening 1051.

[0126] The cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 is a mechanism for discharging cleaning liquid onto the cleaning member 1331a. This cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 includes, for example, a tank for storing cleaning liquid, a pump for supplying the cleaning liquid stored in the tank to a nozzle, and a nozzle for discharging the cleaning liquid onto the face guard 111. This cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 operates under the control of the processing circuit 301.

[0127] In this modification, while the face guard 111 is moving in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., while the face guard 111 is being stored, the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 discharges cleaning liquid onto the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. Then, as the face guard 111 moves toward the tube, the cleaning member 1331a, which is arranged to come into contact with the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111, wipes off the cleaning liquid discharged onto the face guard 111. In this way, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification cleans the face guard 111.

[0128] As described above, the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, like the mammography apparatus 1 of modified example 5 described above, is equipped with a cleaning unit 133a, which cleans the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111 while the face guard 111 is stored, thereby reducing the effort required for users such as technician T to clean the face guard 111 and improving workflow.

[0129] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the above-described eighth modification, after the face guard 111 is stored, the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 in the cleaning unit 133a may be configured to discharge cleaning liquid onto the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. In this case, after the face guard 111 moves to the stored position, the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 moves vertically and left and right while discharging cleaning liquid onto the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111. In this way, the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 1333 may be configured to discharge cleaning liquid onto the first surface FS1 of the face guard 111.

[0130] [Modification 9] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, it is also possible to heat the face guard 111. Below, we will explain the difference between this modification and the first embodiment, assuming that it is applied to the first embodiment as modification 9. Note that this modification can also be applied to the other modifications described above in the same way.

[0131] Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 9. As shown in Fig. 29, the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification is configured by adding a heating unit 137 to the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The configuration and functions other than this heating unit 137 are the same as those in Figs. 1 to 3 according to the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] The heating unit 137 heats the face guard 111. The heating unit 137 is provided inside the tube support arm 105. The heating unit 137 operates under the control of the processing circuit 301. In the example shown in Fig. 29, the heating unit 137 is configured by a blower (fan), and is provided inside the tube support arm 105 on the opposite side of the X-ray tube 117 from the face guard 111.

[0133] In this modification, the blower serving as the heating unit 137 starts operating under the control of the processing circuitry 301 when the X-ray tube 117 irradiates the subject P with X-rays. The blower then blows heat generated by the X-ray irradiation from the X-ray tube 117 to the face guard 111. This heats the face guard 111.

[0134] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, the heating section 137 is provided to heat the face guard 111, thereby reducing the discomfort felt by the subject P when the subject P's face comes into contact with the face guard 111 during positioning.

[0135] In the above-described modification 9, a blower is provided as heating unit 137, but heating unit 137 is not limited to a blower. That is, heating unit 137 may have any configuration, and for example, heating unit 137 may be provided with a heater for heating face guard 111.

[0136] [Modification 10] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the user may move the face guard 111 stored in the tube support arm 105 toward the tube. Below, we will describe the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment as Modification 10, and explain the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0137] The configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 10 will be described using Figures 30 and 31. Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 10. Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 10. As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the configurations of the tube support arm and the moving mechanism of the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification are different from those of the first embodiment, and therefore in this modification, they are referred to as a tube support arm 105c and a moving mechanism 113c. Note that the configurations and functions other than those of the tube support arm 105c and the moving mechanism 113c are the same as those shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described again.

[0138] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 , a tube support arm 105c according to this modification is provided with a guard opening 1051, an X-ray emission port 1053, and a third operation opening 1055. The configurations of the guard opening 1051 and the X-ray emission port 1053 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described further. The third operation opening 1055 is an opening for receiving a movement operation of the face guard 111 from the user. Specifically, when moving the face guard 111 from inside the tube support arm 105c toward the tube, the user inserts their finger into the third operation opening 1055, grasps the face guard 111, and moves the grasped face guard 111 toward the tube. This allows the user to move the face guard 111 toward the tube. The third operation opening 1055 corresponds to the second opening in this embodiment.

[0139] 30, a movement mechanism 113c according to this modification has a rail 1131. That is, the movement mechanism 113c according to this modification does not have a slider 1132, which is different from the configuration of the movement mechanism 113 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0140] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, the tube support arm 105c is provided with a third operation opening 1055 for receiving movement operations from the user regarding the face guard 111, and the user inserts his / her finger into the third operation opening 1055, grasps the face guard 111, and moves the grasped face guard 111 toward the tube.This reduces the number of parts such as the slider 1132, reduces the effort required to insert and remove the face guard 111, and improves the workflow.

[0141] [Modification 11] The mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above may be provided with a push latch that holds the face guard 111 in a retracted position where the face guard 111 is retracted, and releases the holding of the face guard 111 by receiving a pressing operation from the user against the face guard 111. Below, the case where this modification is applied to the first embodiment will be referred to as Modification 11, and the differences from the first embodiment described above will be described.

[0142] The configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 11 will be described using Figures 32 and 33. Figure 32 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 11. Figure 33 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 11. As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the configurations of the tube support arm, face guard, and moving mechanism of the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification differ from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this modification, these will be referred to as a tube support arm 105d, a face guard 111c, and a moving mechanism 113d. Note that the configurations and functions other than those of the tube support arm 105d, face guard 111c, and moving mechanism 113d are the same as those shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0143] 32 and 33, a tube support arm 105d according to this modification is provided with a guard opening 1051, an X-ray emission port 1053, and a fourth operation opening 1056. Note that the configurations of the guard opening 1051 and the X-ray emission port 1053 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The fourth operation opening 1056 is an opening for receiving a pressing operation on the face guard 111c from the user. This fourth operation opening 1056 corresponds to the third opening in this embodiment.

[0144] A face guard 111c according to this modification is provided with a held portion 1115. As shown in Fig. 32, this held portion 1115 is held by a push latch 1133 in a moving mechanism 113d, which will be described later. This held portion 1115 is made of, for example, a metal plate.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 32, a movement mechanism 113d according to this modification includes a rail 1131 and a push latch 1133. The rail 1131 corresponds to a second movement member in this modification. The configuration of this rail 1131 is similar to that of the rail 1131 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The push latch 1133 is a member that holds the face guard 111c so that the face guard 111c does not move on the rail 1131, and that releases the hold of the face guard 111c by accepting a pressing operation on the face guard 111c from the user as a movement operation while holding the face guard 111c. A magnet is provided at the tip of the push latch 1133 according to this modification for holding, for example, the held portion 1115 provided on the face guard 111b.

[0146] Next, insertion and removal of the face guard 111c in the mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 11 will be described. When, for example, CC imaging is performed during X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to this modification, and the face guard 111c is placed in a storage position, which is a predetermined position within the tube support arm 105, the user inserts their finger through the fourth operation opening 1056 shown in FIG. 33 and presses the face guard 111c. Then, the push latch 1133 of the moving mechanism 113d, while holding the face guard 111c, accepts a pressing operation from the user on the face guard 111c, thereby releasing the hold of the face guard 111c. As a result, the face guard 111c moves on the rail 1131 and moves toward the tube via the guard opening 1051. On the other hand, when MLO imaging is to be performed, the user moves the face guard 111c in a direction to retract it from the X-ray detector 123 until the holdable portion 1115 of the face guard 111c comes into contact with the push latch 1133. Then, while inserting a finger through the fourth operation opening 1056 shown in Fig. 33, the user further pushes the face guard 111c in a state in which the holdable portion 1115 of the face guard 111c comes into contact with the push latch 1133, thereby causing the push latch 1133 to hold the holdable portion 1115. As a result, the face guard 111c is stored inside the tube support arm 105d.

[0147] As described above, in the mammography apparatus 1 of this modified example, the moving mechanism 113d is equipped with a push latch 1133, and the tube support arm 105b is provided with a fourth operation opening 1056 for receiving a pressing operation from the user on the face guard 111c, and the face guard 111 is moved in the direction of the tube by the pressing operation from the user, thereby improving the workflow while reducing the effort required to take the face guard 111 in and out.

[0148] In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the eleventh modification, the fourth operation opening 1056 is provided in the tube support arm 105d, but the fourth operation opening 1056 does not necessarily have to be provided in the tube support arm 105d. For example, the user may press the face guard 111c through the guard opening 1051.

[0149] Second Embodiment In the mammography apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the face guard 111 moves through the guard opening 1051 toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, but this is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, the face guard may be provided so as to be movable along the first surface S1 of the tube support arm in the direction toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123. Differences from the first embodiment described above will be described below.

[0150] The configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to Modification 10 will be described using Figures 34 and 35. Figure 34 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mammography apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 35 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube support arm of a mammography apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to Figure 2 in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 34, the configurations of the tube support arm and face guard are different from those in the first embodiment, and therefore in this embodiment they are referred to as a tube support arm 105e and a face guard 111d. Note that the configurations and functions other than the tube support arm 105e and face guard 111d are the same as those in Figures 1 to 3 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0151] 34 and 35, the tube support arm 105e according to this embodiment is provided with a first operation opening 1052 and an X-ray emission port 1053. That is, the tube support arm 105e according to this embodiment differs from the tube support arm 105 according to the first embodiment in that it is not provided with a guard opening 1051. Note that the first operation opening 1052 and the X-ray emission port 1053 are equivalent to the first operation opening 1052 and the X-ray emission port 1053 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0152] 34 and 35, face guard 111d according to this embodiment is provided so as to be movable along first surface S1 of tube support arm 105e in the tube direction and in the direction of retraction from X-ray detector 123. Specifically, face guard 111d according to this embodiment is provided so that a second surface FS2 of face guard 111, which is the surface opposite to first surface FS1 of face guard 111 with which the face of subject P comes into contact, faces first surface S1 of tube support arm 105d, and is provided so as to be movable along first surface S1 of tube support arm 105d in the tube direction and in the direction of retraction from X-ray detector 123.

[0153] Next, the insertion and removal of the face guard 111d will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 36 to 39. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the face guard 111d has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the face guard 111d has moved toward the tube in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the face guard 111d has moved toward the tube in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the face guard 111d has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123 in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. FIGS. 36 to 39 describe the insertion and removal of the face guard 111d when performing MLO imaging after CC imaging.

[0154] In X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, for example, when CC imaging is performed, there is a possibility that part of the subject may enter the X-ray irradiation area, and therefore the face guard 111d is used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 36 , when the face guard 111 has moved in a direction retracting from the X-ray detector 123, i.e., when the face guard 111d is located in a storage position, which is a predetermined position outside the tube support arm 105e, the face guard 111 needs to be moved to a use position, which is a position between the X-ray irradiation area and the subject P. That is, as shown in FIG. 37 , the user moves the slider 1132 in the A4 direction. Then, the moving mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user to move the slider 1132 in the A4 direction, and moves the face guard 111d in the A5 direction on the rail 1131 in conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, thereby moving the face guard 111d toward the tube along the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105e. Then, as shown in FIG. 38, the face guard 111d is moved toward the bulb, that is, the face guard 111d is placed in the use position.

[0155] On the other hand, in X-ray imaging using the mammography apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, when MLO imaging is performed after CC imaging, the face guard 111d is not required. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38, when the face guard 111d has moved toward the tube, i.e., when the face guard 111d is in the use position, it is necessary to move the face guard 111d to the storage position. That is, as shown in FIG. 39, the user moves the slider 1132 in the A6 direction. Then, the moving mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user to move the slider 1132 in the A6 direction. In conjunction with the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111d moves on the rail 1131 in the A7 direction, thereby moving the face guard 111d along the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105e in a direction to retract the face guard 111d from the X-ray detector 123. Then, as shown in FIG. 36, the moving mechanism 113 moves the face guard 111d in a direction in which the face guard 111d is retracted from the X-ray detector 123, that is, the face guard 111d is placed in the storage position.

[0156] As described above, according to the mammography apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 receives a movement operation from the user and moves the face guard 111d along the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105e in the direction of the tube and in the direction of retracting from the X-ray detector 123, thereby improving the workflow while reducing the effort required to take the face guard 111d in and out. That is, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 comprises a rail 1131 and a slider 1132, and receives an operation from the user to move the slider 1132. In response to the operation to move the slider 1132, the face guard 111d moves along the first surface S1 of the tube support arm 105d in the direction of the tube and in the direction of retracting from the X-ray detector 123. Therefore, the user does not need to attach or detach the face guard 111d to or from the tube support arm 105d, thereby reducing the effort required of the user to insert or remove the face guard 111d.

[0157] Furthermore, according to the mammography apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the moving mechanism 113 stores the face guard 111d in a predetermined position outside the tube support arm 105e, eliminating the need for a storage space for the face guard 111d and reducing the area occupied by the mammography apparatus 1.

[0158] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to a circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor realizes its functions by reading and executing a program stored in the memory circuit 307. Instead of storing the program in the memory circuit 307, the processor may be configured so that the program is directly embedded in its circuit. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. The processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may also be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its functions. Furthermore, a plurality of components in FIGS. 3, 11, 12, and 19 may be integrated into one processor to realize the functions thereof.

[0159] Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel apparatus and method described herein may be embodied in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the forms of the apparatus and method described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms and modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1...mammography device, 10...imaging device, 30...console device, 101...base, 103...stand, 105, 105a to 105e...tube support arm, 107...breast support table, 109...compression plate, 111, 111a to 111d, 111_1...face guard, 113, 113a to 113d, 113_1...movement mechanism, 115...high voltage device, 117...X-ray tube, 121...diaphragm drive unit, 123...X-ray detector, 125...compression plate drive unit, 127...arm drive unit, 129...protection unit drive unit, 131...lift button, 133, 133a...cleaning unit, 135...ultraviolet irradiation unit, 137...heating unit, 301...processing circuit, 303...input interface, 305...output interface, 307...memory circuit, 309...communication circuit

Claims

1. a tube for irradiating an object with X-rays; a detector for detecting the X-rays emitted from the tube; Protective equipment for the subject; a movement mechanism that moves the protector toward the tube and in a direction away from the detector; A mammography apparatus comprising:

2. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a tube support arm for supporting the tube, the tube support arm having a first opening for inserting and removing the protective device.

3. Further provided is a tube support arm for supporting the tube, The mammography apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protective device is provided along one surface of the tube support arm so as to be movable toward the tube and away from the detector.

4. 4. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism.

5. The movement control unit controls the movement mechanism based on an imaging condition, When CC photography is performed, the protective equipment is moved toward the tube, When MLO imaging is performed, the protective equipment is moved in a direction to retract from the detector.

5. The mammography apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The mammography apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the movement control unit moves the protector in a direction retracting from the detector based on a preset retraction amount.

7. An input unit for receiving an operation of The mammography apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the movement control unit moves the protector in a direction retracting from the detector based on an operation time of the input unit.

8. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protective equipment prevents a part of the subject from entering an X-ray irradiation area where the X-rays are irradiated, thereby protecting the part of the subject from the X-rays.

9. The protective equipment is composed of a protective member that protects the subject, and support members that are attached to both ends of the protective member and around which the protective member is wrapped.

10. The mammography device according to claim 1.

10. The mammography apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a cleaning unit provided on the tube support arm for cleaning the protective equipment.

11. The mammography apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the cleaning unit includes a cleaning member that cleans the protective equipment and is configured to be detachable from the tube support arm.

12. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the protective equipment with ultraviolet light.

13. Two of the protectors are provided, First guidance information for guiding the subject to take a first posture suitable for imaging a first imaging region of the subject is displayed on one of the protective devices; The other protective equipment displays second guidance information for guiding the subject to take a second posture suitable for imaging a second imaging region of the subject.

10. The mammography device according to claim 1.

14. The mammography apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a heating unit that heats the protective equipment.

15. The mammography apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the movement mechanism receives a movement operation from a user and moves the protective equipment via the first opening in a direction toward the tube and away from the detector.

16. The moving mechanism includes: a first moving member for moving the protector toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the detector; a slider that receives a movement operation from the user, receiving an operation to move the slider from the user, and moving the protector on the first moving member in conjunction with the operation to move the slider, thereby moving the protector toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the detector; 16. The mammography device according to claim 15.

17. 17. The mammography apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the slider is provided on a side surface of the tube support arm.

18. The mammography apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the tube support arm is provided with a second opening for receiving a movement operation from the user with respect to the protector.

19. The moving mechanism includes: a second moving member for moving the protector toward the tube and in a direction retracting from the detector; a push latch that holds the protector so that the protector does not move on the second moving member, and that releases the hold of the protector by accepting a pressing operation from the user on the protector as the movement operation while holding the protector; 16. The mammography device of claim 15, wherein

20. The mammography apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the tube support arm is provided with a third opening for receiving a pressing operation from the user against the protector.

Images