X-ray protection device

• US 20050078797A1
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Digital Mammography Sweden AB (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Sectra Mamea AB (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Danielsson, Mats, Hjarn, Torbjorn
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/145
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/107 Protection against radiation, e.g. shielding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography

Abstract

A shielding arrangement for an x-ray apparatus, preferably for mammography examination is disclosed, and comprises at least an x-ray source, a collimator arrangement and a detector assembly, whereby the collimator is arranged between the x-ray source and the detector assembly and through which x-rays pass. The shielding arrangement, at least partly made of x-ray blocking material and provided for blocking, scattering and/or reflecting x-rays is arranged, at least partly, in a space between the x-ray source and collimator.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. An x-ray apparatus, preferably for mammography examination, at least comprising:

an x-ray source;

a collimator arrangement and a detector assembly, said collimator being arranged between said x-ray source and said detector assembly in such a way that x-rays pass through said collimator; and

a shielding arrangement arranged between said x-ray source and said collimator, wherein said shielding arrangement and said x-ray source are displaceable relative to each other.

20. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shielding arrangement is a box-shaped structure provided on a housing for said collimator.

21. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shielding arrangement is a telescopic structure between said x-ray source and said collimator.

22. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shielding arrangement is an accordion shaped folding structure between said x-ray source and collimator.

23. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shielding arrangement is at least partly made of an x-ray blocking material.

24. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said collimator provided with said shielding arrangement and said detector arrangement are displaceable relative to each other.

25. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shielding arrangement is displaceable substantially vertically.

26. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said shielding arrangement comprises a number of boxes insertable into each other, with varying sizes, the largest box being closest to the collimator.

27. The x-ray apparatus according to claim 26, wherein at least one wall of each box is inclined.

28. An x-ray shielding arrangement for blocking scattering and/or reflecting x-rays arrangable at least partly in a space between an x-ray source and a collimator in an x-ray apparatus, said collimator being arranged between said x-ray source and a detector assembly, said shielding arrangement is at least partly made of an x-ray blocking material and comprises means for movably arranging the shielding arrangement relative said x-ray source.

29. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 28, consisting of box-shaped structure provided on a housing for said collimator.

30. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 28, consisting of a telescopic structure between said x-ray source and collimator.

31. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 28, consisting of an accordion folding structure between said x-ray source and collimator.

32. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 28, consisting of a base portion, two substantially L-shaped side portions each connected to an upper part such as the x-ray source housing through links.

33. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 28, consisting of a base portion, two substantially circle section and fan shaped side portions each connected to an upper part such as the x-ray source housing through links.

34. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 30, consisting of a number of boxes insertable into each other, with varying sizes, the largest box being closest to the collimator.

35. The x-ray shielding arrangement according to claim 34, wherein at least one wall of each box being inclined.

36. In an x-ray apparatus, preferably for mammography examination, at least comprising an x-ray source, a collimator arrangement and a detector assembly, said collimator being arranged between said x-ray source and said detector assembly, a method for blocking scattering and/or reflecting x-rays, the method comprising arranging a shielding arrangement and said x-ray source displaceable relative to each other.