Abstract: The invention relates to positioning of partial volumes of an anatomy in connection with an imaging process. According to the invention, a photograph is taken of an object arranged in an imaging station by a camera arranged in connection with the imaging station, which image of the anatomy is presented on a display but as transferred into a new position with respect to the imaging station. When this image and a substantially real time image taken of the imaging station are presented on a display one upon another, it is possible to follow on the display how the object being imaged positions in relation to said image taken of the anatomy transferred into the new position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical radiography, in which individual images of an object are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. The object to be imaged is arranged locked in an object positioning means and during the imaging process, the x-ray source is continuously moved with respect to location of the object. During the continuous movement of the x-ray source there are irradiation periods and non-irradiation periods and during an irradiation period, the object positioning means is moved as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source so as to follow the movement of the x-ray source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure (2) supporting x-ray imaging means (21, 22), which x-ray imaging means (21, 22) are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) and movable within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2), which ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means (21, 22) includes an examination opening (4), whereto the object to be imaged can be positioned for imaging. According to the invention, at least one display (11) is arranged to the apparatus. The display is arranged in functional connection with at least one video camera (12), which at least one video camera (12) is arranged in connection with said ring-shaped structure (2) and as aimed, or so that it can be aimed inside said examination opening (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus including a support structure (1) which supports a substantially ring-shaped structure, an O-arm (2) supporting imaging means (21, 22), to which O-arm (2) is arranged an examination opening (4). The ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means is arranged movable with respect to said support construction (1) at least in vertical direction. A patient stool (30) is arranged to be positioned in connection with the apparatus, as well as positioning means (32, 33, 34) in connection with said examination opening (4) for positioning the patient stool (30) in the examination opening (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The cross-section of an outer cover (3) of the O-arm (2) in a direction perpendicular with respect to the central axis of the O-arm is arranged for its predominant portion substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise a cut, within the sector covered by which cut the distance from the center of said arch of the circle to the edge of the outer cover (3) is shorter than within the portion of the outer cover (3) being substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22). The cross-section of the outer cover (3) of the O-arm in a direction perpendicular with respect to the central axis of said ring-shaped structure (2) is for its prevailing portion arranged substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise a cut, and within the sector covered by the cut the distance from the center of said arch of a circle to the edge of the outer cover (3) is shorter than within said portion of the outer cover (3) substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus for imaging extremities, which apparatus includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure supporting imaging means (2), which imaging means include a source of radiation (21) and a receiver of image information (22), which imaging means are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) substantially to the opposite sides of each other and to be moved inside said ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2). The apparatus according to the invention is arranged with at least one padding element (15) to at least one such point whereto the patient can when positioning oneself to be imaged, in connection with the actual patient positioning and/or during the actual imaging, depending on the imaging mode in question touch, lean on, kneel, sit on or step on.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The apparatus is arranged with a patient support handlebar (5), which is arranged to be positioned in at least a first and a second position of which in the first position the patient support handlebar (5) functions as a patient support handlebar and in the second position it has some other function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method in digital mammography imaging especially for use for imaging of small breasts. In the invention, a so-called full-field sensor and an upper compression plate substantially equal in width with this sensor are used. According to the invention, the beam is limited to a width narrower than the width of the sensor and the compression plate and directed for oblique imaging non-centrally relative to the center of said sensor and the upper compression plate, while the automatic exposure system of the imaging apparatus is caused to adapt itself for imaging in accordance with this imaging position non-central relative to the sensor and the upper compression plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic exposure control of an imaging implemented by electromagnetic radiation, in particular to prioritizing and selecting several automatic exposure signals in connection with mammography imaging, to be used in such a way that areas having darkened too little would not be left into the image to be formed, at least not in the area of the breast tissue. A selection process of the signals makes up an essential part of the invention, in which signals are selected for the basis of control of imaging parameters according to signal values, and possibly also according to the physical location of the signal sources, on the grounds of the selection criteria according to the invention.

Abstract: A digital imaging apparatus and method which includes a radiation source and a sensor arrangement for detecting radiation. The sensor arrangement contains one or more sensors formed of one or more preferably elongated sensor modules, which sensor module contains one or more pixel columns which receive image data. The digital imaging apparatus includes means for positioning the object to be Imaged which is situated within the area between the radiation source and the sensor arrangement, and means for limiting the beam from the radiation source essentially according to the active sensor surface of the said sensor arrangement. Also included is means to move the beam across the object being positioned to be imaged and means to move the at least one sensor belonging to the sensor arrangement in synch with the scanning movement of the beam in order to keep the active sensor surface essentially at right angles to the beam on the plane formed by the scanning movement.

Abstract: Mammography imaging apparatus according to the invention contains e.g. an essentially vertically standing body part and an arm structure in connection with it, being turnable with respect to a horizontal rotating axis, a radiation source on one hand and image data receiving means on the other hand being located at essentially opposite ends of the arm structure. The arm structure includes at least two arm parts orientating essentially parallel and means for changing mutual orientation of at least the first and the second of the said at least two arm parts, first means for turning the said first arm part around a horizontal axis and second means arranged to the said second arm part with help of which, when turning the said first arm part, it is possible both to maintain orientation of the said second arm part with respect to the said first arm part and to turn the said second arm part in a different direction and/or at a different angular velocity with respect to the movement of the said first arm part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic exposure control implemented in imaging by electromagnetic radiation, in particular to automatic exposure control in film-based mammography, which is based on a completely new approach as compared with the solutions currently in use, which utilize adjustment curves and/or tables constructed on the basis of empiric tests. The new approach includes modeling into the AEC system the radiation spectra obtainable from the radiation source as a function of its operating parameters and attenuation of the spectrum as the radiation traverses components of the imaging apparatus. By measuring the thickness of the object to be imaged and knowing the initial spectrum and its calculable behavior, a correspondence between the AEC signal and the desired darkening of the image can be achieved which is based on true density of the object being imaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to digital scanning imaging by electromagnetic radiation. To reduce the difference between the resolutions in, the scanning direction and the direction perpendicular thereto, pixels (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) in the scanning direction are connected to counters (C1, C2, C3) through switching means (Sm1, Sm2, Sm3) which allow pulses to be directed to the counter of a neighboring pixel, in addition to its own pixel, for counting, whereby the reading area can be divided into a plurality of “partial pixels” and by suitably changing the switch positions, it is possible to follow the imaging scan as reading areas formed by the “partial pixels”.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus used in mammography generally having a cassette tunnel (17) or a similar space for the placement of an image data receiving device (14?) in the imaging area of the apparatus. In such a space or in its immediate vicinity, device (19) for moving the cassette in the space can be provided, thus making the imaging process in many ways faster and easier to carry out. Such device for moving the cassette can also be utilized in various ways to achieve a more versatile and more accurate use of the imaging apparatus.