Mammograph system with a face shield

• US 7,315,607 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Ramsauer, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US11/511,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20070058774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 378/119, 378/161, 378/142, 378/160, 378/203, 378/37, 378/55, 378/145, 378/196, 378/197, 378/204
• US Class Current: 378/37
• 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

The present embodiments relate to a mammograph system with a face shield. The mammography system includes an X-ray emitter head; an object table; and a face shield. The face shield is movably supported by the X-ray emitter head and is movable into at least first and second positions. In the first position, the face shield is retracted into the X-ray emitter head. In the second position, at least a portion of the face shield protrudes out of the X-ray emitter head.

Claims

1. A mammograph system comprising an X-ray emitter head;

an object table; and

a face shield that is movably supported by the X-ray emitter head and is movable into at least first and second positions,

wherein in the first position the face shield is retracted into the X-ray emitter head, and

wherein in the second position at least a portion of the face shield protrudes out of the X-ray emitter head.

2. The mammograph system as defined by claim 1, wherein the face shield is operable to be locked in a predetermined first protection position comprising the second position.

3. The mammograph system as defined by claim 2, wherein the face shield is operable to be locked in a second predetermined protection position.

4. The mammograph system as defined by claim 1, wherein the face shield is operable to slide into the first position.

5. The mammograph system as defined by claim 1, wherein the face shield is movable into a transporting position, which covers an X-ray beam opening of the X-ray emitter head.

6. The mammograph system as defined by claim 5, wherein the face shield is operable to pivot into the transporting position.

13. The mammograph system as defined by claim 1, wherein the face shield prevents a patient'"'"'s body from unintentionally entering the region below the X-ray emitter head.

14. The mammograph system as defined by claim 1, wherein the face shield prevents a patient'"'"'s head from unintentionally entering the region below the X-ray emitter head.

15. The mammograph system as defined by claim 3, wherein the face shield is operable to slide into the first position.

18. The mammograph system as defined by claim 2, wherein in the predetermined first protection position, a portion of the face shield extends from the X-ray emitter head.

19. The mammograph system as defined by claim 18, wherein the face shield extends further from the X-ray emitter head in the predetermined second protection position than in the first protection position.

20. The mammograph system as defined by claim 5, wherein the face shield is flush with the X-ray emitter head.

7. An X-ray emitter head comprising:

a face shield comprising a single plates,

wherein the face shield being movable supported by the X-ray emitter head; and

movable at least into a position of repose, in which the face shield is substantially retracted into the X-ray emitter head, and into a protection position, in which at least a portion of the length of the face shield protrudes from the X-ray emitter head,

wherein the length that the face shield protrudes from the X-ray emitter head is independent of a height of a compression plate.

8. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 7, wherein the face shield is operable to be locked in a predetermined first protection position.

9. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 8, wherein the face shield is operable to be locked in a second predetermined protection position.

10. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 7, wherein the face shield is operable to slide into the protection position.

11. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 7, wherein the face shield is movable into a transporting position, which covers the X-ray beam opening of the X-ray emitter head.

12. The X-ray emitter head (2) as defined by claim 11, wherein the face shield is operable to pivot into the transporting position.

16. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 8, wherein the face shield is operable to slide into a predetermined first protection position.

17. The X-ray emitter head as defined by claim 9, wherein the face shield is operable to slide into a predetermined second protection position.