Abstract: An X-ray radiology device comprising a rotating and flat lift. For this X-ray device to operate correctly, it is necessary to obtain and maintain, for all the incidence angles, a perfect alignment of the focal point of the X-ray tube, the element observed and the detector. This geometric imperative is achieved in one embodiment by means of a compensation system. The compensation system includes a cam fitted to a free end of the lift. The compensation system includes a lever in contact with the profile of the cam. The lever is in contact with the detector or the tube connected to the lift. Thus, when the lift rotates, the cam pushes the lever, which in return pushes the tube or the detector in order to align it.

Abstract: An X-ray radiology device comprising a rotating and flat lift. For this X-ray device to operate correctly, it is necessary to obtain and maintain, for all the incidence angles, a perfect alignment of the focal point of the X-ray tube, the element observed and the detector. This geometric imperative is achieved in one embodiment by means of a compensation system. The compensation system includes a cam fitted to a free end of the lift. The compensation system includes a lever in contact with the profile of the cam. The lever is in contact with the detector or the tube connected to the lift. Thus, when the lift rotates, the cam pushes the lever, which in return pushes the tube or the detector in order to align it.

Abstract: A system to generate a radiological image of a subject from multiple directions is provided. The system comprises a first drive to move the gantry and detector about a vertical axis, a second drive to move the gantry and detector about a horizontal axis, and a handle assembly coupled to the gantry in mobile support of the detector. The handle assembly includes a sensor operable to generate a signal representative of a direction of deflection of a header. The system also includes a controller having instructions generally representative of the steps that include translating the signal from the sensor in the direction of deflection of the header, generating a signal to instruct the first and second drives to move the gantry in the direction of deflection, and moving the gantry in the direction of deflection of the header via the first and second drives in accordance to the signal.

Abstract: Radiological imaging device comprising an emitter of an X-ray beam and a receiver of the X-ray beam after it has crossed an organ, the organ being capable of being placed between the receiver and a compression element, capable of being removably fixed on the device. A calculation unit includes a means for optimizing the image quality over a particular area defined by the compression element.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus has hollow motors providing hinge joints for a mobile part in rotation relative to a reference part. Each of the motors includes a rotor fixed to the mobile part as well as a stator fixed to the reference part. The axis of these motors is indistinguishable from the axis around which the mobile part can go into rotation. The motors facilitate an assembling of the parts of the apparatus in permitting cables or wires to cross through the hollow motors. The hinge joints provide a direct transmission between the mobile and reference parts.

Abstract: The detection of a compression pad in a mammography apparatus is automated. A rear face of the pad is provided with identifying and positioning readable by the sensors of a mobile carriage of the mammography apparatus. The reading is converted into a binary word that enables the mammography apparatus to obtain the operating parameters and to automatically associate reading keys with an image. A reading key is, for example, the name of the examination/image associated with the pad.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus has hollow motors providing hinge joints for a mobile part in rotation relative to a reference part. Each of the motors includes a rotor fixed to the mobile part as well as a stator fixed to the reference part. The axis of these motors is indistinguishable from the axis around which the mobile part can go into rotation. The motors facilitate an assembling of the parts of the apparatus in permitting cables or wires to cross through the hollow motors. The hinge joints provide a direct transmission between the mobile and reference parts.

Abstract: The detection of a compression pad in a mammography apparatus is automated. A rear face of the pad is provided with identifying and positioning readable by the sensors of a mobile carriage of the mammography apparatus. The reading is converted into a binary word that enables the mammography apparatus to obtain the operating parameters and to automatically associate reading keys with an image. A reading key is, for example, the name of the examination/image associated with the pad.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus and method having an X-ray tube, an image receiver, the image receiver having one edge in contact with a patient, a compression paddle between the tube and the receiver, able to be moved up and down parallel to a direction of propagation of the X-rays, means for keeping the compression paddle in position in the radiation propagation direction, the compression paddle, in its compression position, being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of X-ray propagation and parallel to the contact edge of the image receiver. This allows a patient's breast to be rolled and presented to the image receiver in different positions thereby reducing ambiguities in possible detection of a lesion due to layers of tissue overlapping when images are taken.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: A collimator for X-ray apparatus has an aperture defined by the edges of four movable flexible shutters. Each shutter can be moved independently of the other shutters; thus, the position and the size of the aperture can be adjusted at will. The shutters are moved by winding them onto drums; each drum is driven by a stepping motor. Springs bias the shutters towards the closed position of the collimator.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus comprises an image receiver and a source for delivering radiation towards the image receiver. Adjacent to the image receiver is a breast support with a body and a plate. The plate can be moved with respect to the body of the breast support, along the direction of propagation of the radiation. The movement of the plate of the breast support varies the position of the patient's breast in the path of the radiation thereby varying the magnification factor of the image.

Abstract: Device for taking radiologic images, of the type comprising a means of emission of an X-ray beam and a means of reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through an organ to be studied. The means of emission and the means of reception are supported by an arm pivoting about at least one shaft supported by a frame. The device comprises a means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm, a means for entering data relative to the organ to be studied, a processing means capable of determining the type of image that will be taken as a function of the angle of swivel and of the said data relative to the organ, and a means for displaying on the image the type of image determined by the said processing means.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus and method having an X-ray tube, an image receiver, the image receiver having one edge in contact with a patient, a compression paddle between the tube and the receiver, able to be moved up and down parallel to a direction of propagation of the X-rays, means for keeping the compression paddle in position in the radiation propagation direction, the compression paddle, in its compression position, being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of X-ray propagation and parallel to the contact edge of the image receiver. This allows a patient's breast to be rolled and presented to the image receiver in different positions thereby reducing ambiguities in possible detection of a lesion due to layers of tissue overlapping when images are taken.

Abstract: A radiographic apparatus comprises an image receiver and a source for delivering radiation towards the image receiver. Adjacent to the image receiver is a breast support with a body and a plate. The plate can be moved with respect to the body of the breast support, along the direction of propagation of the radiation. The movement of the plate of the breast support varies the position of the patient's breast in the path of the radiation thereby varying the magnification factor of the image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for medical radiology and, in particular, galactography in the field of mammography. The method of obtaining radiological images in galactography comprises acquiring of a first radiological image of the breast in a compressed state: introducing a contrast medium in a part of the breast; acquiring at least a second radiological image of the breast in the compressed state and with contrast medium; and partial or complete subtraction of the first image in relation to the second image, or vice versa. An apparatus for use of the method comprises means for maintaining a breast compressed or immobilized and means for holding a catheter or the like for introducing a contrast medium in the breast.

Abstract: A collimator for X-ray apparatus has an aperture defined by the edges of four movable flexible shutters. Each shutter can be moved independently of the other shutters; thus, the position and the size of the aperture can be adjusted at will. The shutters are moved by winding them onto drums; each drum is driven by a stepping motor. Springs bias the shutters towards the closed position of the collimator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for medical radiology and, in particular, galactography in the field of mammography. The method of obtaining radiological images in galactography comprises acquiring of a first radiological image of the breast in a compressed state: introducing a contrast medium in a part of the breast; acquiring at least a second radiological image of the breast in the compressed state and with contrast medium; and partial or complete subtraction of the first image in relation to the second image, or vice versa. An apparatus for use of the method comprises means for maintaining a breast compressed or immobilized and means for holding a catheter or the like for introducing a contrast medium in the breast.

Abstract: A beam filtering device comprises a strip carrying at least one filter. The strip is wound onto drums between which the strip extends. A rotary drive mechanism drives the drums in rotation to cause the strip to advance and wind onto one drum while unwinding from the other. Advancing the strip makes it possible to arrange one of the filters on the strip in the space between the drums. This allows radiation filtering characteristics to be readily and rapidly modified.