Abstract: The regions of interest of images of both breasts of a patient are defined as regions of the image of minimal surface area and containing views of the breasts. These regions of interest are aligned for simultaneous display of the images. The display now allows simple and direct comparison of the images of both breasts, notably allowing immediate comparison of structural disorganizations within the two breasts.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus has an examination arm with a radiation delivery head and an image receiver. The examination arm is mounted for iso-centric rotation in a plane. A support for the arm and a support column on which the support is mounted allow the height of this plane to be adjusted. Patients can be examined in the standing, leaning, sitting or laying position while in each case maintaining the axis of rotation of the examination arm on the axis of the (compressed) breast to be examined.

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 method of estimating an asymmetrical scatter signal distribution wherein asymmetry is introduced by angular incidence of radiation, which has been emitted from a source and transmitted through an object to be imaged, on a detector, is disclosed. This method includes, in an embodiment, modifying scatter that would be derived wherein the radiation is directly incident on the detector with zero degrees of inclination, using an asymmetry factor which indicates the shape and magnitude of the scatter signal distribution and which varies with an angle at which the radiation is incident on the detector, a mean attenuation coefficient of the object, and a distance the radiation has traveled through the object. The estimated scatter provides for correction of scatter in a image.

Abstract: A method of estimating an asymmetrical scatter signal distribution wherein asymmetry is introduced by angular incidence of radiation, which has been emitted from a source and transmitted through an object to be imaged, on a detector, is disclosed. This method includes, in an embodiment, modifying scatter that would be derived wherein the radiation is directly incident on the detector with zero degrees of inclination, using an asymmetry factor which indicates the shape and magnitude of the scatter signal distribution and which varies with an angle at which the radiation is incident on the detector, a mean attenuation coefficient of the object, and a distance the radiation has traveled through the object. The estimated scatter provides for correction of scatter in a image.

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 mammography apparatus has an examination arm with a radiation delivery head and an image receiver. The examination arm is mounted for iso-centric rotation in a plane. A support for the arm and a support column on which the support is mounted allow the height of this plane to be adjusted. Patients can be examined in the standing, leaning, sitting or laying position while in each case maintaining the axis of rotation of the examination arm on the axis of the (compressed) breast to be examined.

Abstract: The regions of interest of images of both breasts of a patient are defined as regions of the image of minimal surface area and containing views of the breasts. These regions of interest are aligned for simultaneous display of the images. The display now allows simple and direct comparison of the images of both breasts, notably allowing immediate comparison of structural disorganizations within the two breasts.

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.