Abstract: A seat adapted for use with a mammography apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast of a patient. The seat includes an x-ray source and an x-ray detector for imaging the breast, and is provided to the mammography apparatus to enable the patient to sit during imaging. The seat is tiltable between at least two positions: a first position in which the seat is level with the horizon; and a second position in which the seat is tilted obliquely sideways with reference to the horizon. The seat may compress the breast during x-ray imaging of the breast with the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: Mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a movable paddle and a detector, wherein the paddle and the detector are arranged to cooperate for pressurizing a breast so as to prepare for x-ray imaging of the breast, wherein the paddle connects to a paddle drive control system that drives the paddle towards the detector with a selected speed, wherein the paddle drive control system connects to a speed controller which provides the paddle drive control system a variating target setpoint that sets a rate at which the paddle drive control system drives the paddle towards the detector, wherein the apparatus comprises a contact area measurement device with which the contact area of the breast with the paddle and/or the detector is measurable, and that the speed controller is only operable for varying the target setpoint of the paddle drive control system when the contact area measurement device establishes that the said contact area surpasses a predefined first threshold value.

Abstract: Mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a movable paddle and a detector, wherein the paddle and the detector are arranged to cooperate for pressurizing a breast so as to prepare for x-ray imaging of the breast, wherein the paddle connects to a paddle drive control system that drives the paddle towards the detector with a selected speed, wherein the paddle drive control system connects to a speed controller which provides the paddle drive control system a variating target setpoint that sets a rate at which the paddle drive control system drives the paddle towards the detector, wherein the apparatus comprises a contact area measurement device with which the contact area of the breast with the paddle and/or the detector is measurable, and that the speed controller is only operable for varying the target setpoint of the paddle drive control system when the contact area measurement device establishes that the said contact area surpasses a predefined first threshold value.

Abstract: A seat adapted for use with a mammography apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast of a patient, said mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector for imaging the breast, wherein the seat is provided to the mammography apparatus to enable the patient to sit during imaging, and wherein the seat is tiltable between at least two positions, a first position wherein the seat is level with the horizon, and a second position wherein the seat is tilted obliquely sideways with reference to the horizon, and wherein the seat comprises compression means for compressing the breast during x-ray imaging of the breast with the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: Mammography-apparatus (1) for detecting malignant cells in a breast (2) comprising an x-ray source (3) and an x-ray detector (4?) that cooperates with the x-ray source (3) for providing an x-ray image of said breast (2), and further comprising a paddle (5) for flattening the breast (2) by pressing it against an x-ray detector cover (4), and comprising a contact area measuring device for measuring a contact area between the breast (2) and the mammography-apparatus (1), wherein the paddle (5) is replaceable and the contact area measuring device is only provided on or incorporated in the detector cover (4) facing the breast (2) and the paddle (5) is embodied without a contact area measuring device.

Abstract: A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein prior to the x-ray measurement reaction forces between the mammography apparatus and the patient's breast are minimized. The invention relates further to a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, which apparatus is provided with at least one weighing means to measure the downwards forces exerted by (the part of) the apparatus above the weighing means towards the ground.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus is provided for detecting malignant cells in a breast, comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, and comprising a contact area measuring device for measuring a contact area between the breast and the paddle, wherein the contact area measuring device is embodied with at least a first laminate of an electrically insulating material and an electrically low resistance material, which first laminate is provided on a side of the paddle facing the breast, and wherein the electrically low resistance material is sandwiched between the paddle and the insulating material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and/or adjusting the settings of a mammography apparatus comprising a mainframe, a subframe mounted in the mainframe, wherein the subframe supports an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, including providing of a suspension for connecting the paddle with the subframe, wherein the suspension of the paddle is provided with force sensors for obtaining a measurement signal that is indicative of an amount of compression applied with the paddle to a breast.

Abstract: Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.

Abstract: A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein prior to the x-ray measurement reaction forces between the mammography apparatus and the patient's breast are minimized. The invention relates further to a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, which apparatus is provided with at least one weighing means to measure the downwards forces exerted by (the part of) the apparatus above the weighing means towards the ground.

Abstract: Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast, comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, and comprising a contact area measuring device for measuring a contact area between the breast and the paddle, wherein the contact area measuring device is embodied with at least a first laminate of an electrically insulating material and an electrically low resistance material, which first laminate is provided on a side of the paddle facing the breast, and wherein the electrically low resistance material is sandwiched between the paddle and the insulating material.

Abstract: Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.

Abstract: A mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and a paddle for pressing the breast against said X-ray detector, wherein the mammography-apparatus further comprises a non-focussed laser-beam source for pulsed laser-light, which during use is aimed at the breast, and said apparatus comprises at least one non-contact ultrasound detector for contact-free detection of an ultrasound originating from said breast so as to screen the occurrence or non-occurrence of said malignant cells.