Abstract: A method is provided for determining a position of an object within a breast of a female patient in a simple manner from a three-dimensional image taken of the breast. A simplified model is made of an internal structure of a breast having glandular bodies leading via lactiferous ducts to an outlet at a nipple. A particularly advantageous model is a tree-type structure in which branches correspond to lactiferous ducts and leaves correspond to glandular bodies. Furthermore, a determination is made of whether the object has contact with an element of the tree-type structure. Alternatively, a distance to an element of the tree-type structure is established. By correlating tree-type structures derived from various images taken on the same breast, the location of the object can be unequivocally established.

Abstract: A device is provided herein for locating a breast of a female patient. In one embodiment, the locating device is adapted to be inserted into an opening within a patient table. The locating device is further adapted with different sizes and shapes, and thus, can be adapted to various breast shapes. In one embodiment, the device is provided with an RFID transponder for identifying the particular locating device being used. The RFID transponder enables data about the locating device to be automatically recorded along with the image data. This enables the shape of the locating device to be taken into account when evaluating an image. Furthermore, the RFID transponder ensures that a locating device of the same shape is used for subsequent exposures of a patient's breast, so that the exposures remain comparable.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for monitoring thermal treatment of human tissue produces a reference exposure of the tissue to be treated prior to commencement of the treatment. Thermal treatment is performed subsequently. Check exposures are made with the X-ray machine during the treatment or also during treatment intervals. The check exposures are performed as partial volume exposures at a lower radiation load than the reference exposures. From a comparison of check exposures with the reference exposures, conclusions can be drawn concerning changes of tissue temperature and also tissue properties.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a female breast has a support with an attached continuously rotatable gantry. An X-ray tube with an oppositely located X-ray detector is mounted on the gantry. A locating means for accommodating a breast is disposed coaxially with a rotation axis of the gantry. The gantry is adapted to be moved relative to the locating means by an advancing means. In order to achieve a high throughput of patients, a locating means having an opening for accommodating a breast is provided relative to both sides of the gantry. The X-ray machine may be incorporated between two separating walls which have cut-out portions for the locating means.

Abstract: An X-ray machine, which in one embodiment is based on a spiral CT scanner, is used for examining a breast of a female patient. The X-ray machine has a gantry, which is adapted for rotation about a rotational axis, and simultaneously, for movement in a direction parallel to the rotational axis. A cylindrical imaging region is scanned along a spiraling path provided by the gantry. The patient is positioned so that a breast to be examined projects into the imaging region. A sample receptacle located in the imaging region is adapted to accommodate a tissue sample and/or a reference material. A range of movement of the gantry is dimensioned, so that the breast and/or the contents of the sample receptacle can be imaged with the gantry.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient includes a patient table for accommodating the patient, an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. In one embodiment, the X-ray machine may be designed as a spiral CT scanner having a rotatable gantry on which the X-ray tube and detector are mounted. The X-ray detector is inclined with respect to the X-ray tube, so that a central ray of a beam of rays emitted from the X-ray tube is perpendicularly incident on an active face of the detector. In one embodiment, the detector may be designed with a curvature, which reduces image artifacts by reducing path length differences between the central ray and the outer rays of the beam. This configuration provides particularly space saving X-ray machines, which at the same time, are of particularly high resolution.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient comprises a gantry with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, and a horizontally disposed patient table with a cut-out portion for accommodating a breast of the patient. The gantry is rigidly mechanically suspended from the patient table. The gantry is adapted to rotate about an approximately vertical rotational axis in continuous rotational movement for imaging the breast. The gantry is also adapted to be moved in a vertical direction during said the rotational movement.

Abstract: A device for fixing or locating a breast of a female patient in a medical diagnostic examination instrument comprises an elastic annular-shaped fixing means and also a net fastened thereto which tightly encircle a base of a breast close to a chest wall. A force exerted exerted on the elastic annular-shaped fixing means is applied in a direction away from the patient in order to compress the breast and raise the breast from the chest wall. An X-ray machine including such a device is also provided.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient comprises a gantry with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, and a horizontally disposed patient table with a cut-out portion for accommodating a breast of the patient. The gantry is rigidly mechanically suspended from the patient table. The gantry is adapted to rotate about an approximately vertical rotational axis in continuous rotational movement for imaging the breast. The gantry is also adapted to be moved in a vertical direction during said the rotational movement.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a position of an object within a breast of a female patient in a simple manner from a three-dimensional exposure taken of the breast. A simplified model is made of an internal structure of a breast having glandular bodies leading via lactiferous ducts to an outlet at a nipple. A particularly advantageous model is a tree-type structure in which branches correspond to lactiferous ducts and leaves correspond to glandular bodies. Furthermore, a determination is made of whether the object has contact with an element of the tree-type structure. Alternatively, a distance to an element of the tree-type structure is established. By correlating tree-type structures derived from various exposures taken on the same breast, the location of the object can be unequivocally established.

Abstract: A device is provided herein for locating a breast of a female patient. In one embodiment, the locating device is adapted to be inserted into an opening within a patient table. The locating device is further adapted with different sizes and shapes, and thus, can be adapted to various breast shapes. In one embodiment, the device is provided with an RFID transponder for identifying the particular locating device being used. The RFID transponder enables data about the locating device to be automatically recorded along with the image data. This enables the shape of the locating device to be taken into account when evaluating an image. Furthermore, the RFID transponder ensures that a locating device of the same shape is used for subsequent exposures of a patient's breast, so that the exposures remain comparable.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for monitoring thermal treatment of human tissue produces a reference exposure of the tissue to be treated prior to commencement of the treatment. Thermal treatment is performed subsequently. Check exposures are made with the X-ray machine during the treatment or also during treatment intervals. The check exposures are performed as partial volume exposures at a lower radiation load than the reference exposures. From a comparison of check exposures with the reference exposures, conclusions can be drawn concerning changes of tissue temperature and also tissue properties.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient includes a patient table for accommodating the patient, an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. In one embodiment, the X-ray machine may be designed as a spiral CT scanner having a rotatable gantry on which the X-ray tube and detector are mounted. The X-ray detector is inclined with respect to the X-ray tube, so that a central ray of a beam of rays emitted from the X-ray tube is perpendicularly incident on an active face of the detector. In one embodiment, the detector may be designed with a curvature, which reduces image artifacts by reducing path length differences between the central ray and the outer rays of the beam. This configuration provides particularly space saving X-ray machines, which at the same time, are of particularly high resolution.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a female breast has a support with an attached continuously rotatable gantry. An X-ray tube with an oppositely located X-ray detector is mounted on the gantry. A locating means for accommodating a breast is disposed coaxially with a rotation axis of the gantry. The gantry is adapted to be moved relative to the locating means by an advancing means. In order to achieve a high throughput of patients, a locating means having an opening for accommodating a breast is provided relative to both sides of the gantry. The X-ray machine may be incorporated between two separating walls which have cut-out portions for the locating means.

Abstract: An X-ray machine, which in one embodiment is based on a spiral CT scanner, is used for examining a breast of a female patient. The X-ray machine has a gantry, which is adapted for rotation about a rotational axis, and simultaneously, for movement in a direction parallel to the rotational axis. A cylindrical imaging region is scanned along a spiraling path provided by the gantry. The patient is positioned so that a breast to be examined projects into the imaging region. A sample receptacle located in the imaging region is adapted to accommodate a tissue sample and/or a reference material. A range of movement of the gantry is dimensioned, so that the breast and/or the contents of the sample receptacle can be imaged with the gantry.

Abstract: An X-ray machine for examining a breast of a female patient has a CT scanner attached to a patient's table. An instrument holder that is adapted to be moved to be located underneath a gantry of the CT scanner is provided with a positioning unit for positioning an instrument for examining or operating close to the breast. An exact position of the instrument holder relative to the gantry or the breast to be examined can be determined with a measuring system. Thereby, it is possible to position an examining or surgical intervention instrument extremely precisely.