Mammography-Apparatus
First Claim
1. Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast, said apparatus comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector,wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, andwherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, andwherein said apparatus has a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast, said apparatus comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector,
wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, and wherein said apparatus has a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.
- 4. Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast, said apparatus comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, and which has a contact area measuring unit comprising optical means for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle, wherein the paddle is translucent, wherein the paddle or a separate transparent plate assembled to unite with the paddle is connected to a light source, wherein said paddle or said separate transparent plate, and said light source are arranged for propagating light within the paddle or said separate plate and for releasing light from the paddle or said separate plate in the direction of the camera upon the breast tissue contacting the paddle or said separate plate.
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18. Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast, said apparatus comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source or providing an x-ray image of said breast, and
further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein the paddle is unitary and there are pressure sensors that are distributed in the paddle and/or the x-ray detector so as to register local pressures in the breast.
Specification