Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing apparatus, a biopsy region positional information calculator calculates a three-dimensional position of a biopsy region in an object to be examined based on two radiographic images which are acquired in a stereographic image capturing process, an irradiated field calculator calculates a new irradiated field covering the biopsy region based on the calculated three-dimensional position of the biopsy region and two angles at which a radiation source is disposed in the stereographic image capturing process, and a collimator controller controls a collimator to change the irradiated field of the radiation to the new irradiated field in a next stereographic image capturing process.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a support base for supporting a mass to be examined, a compression plate for compressing and holding the mass to be examined against the support base, and a biopsy needle moving mechanism for moving a biopsy needle in a plane along the compression plate as well as in directions perpendicular to the compression plate. The biopsy needle is movable through an opening defined in the compression plate for insertion into the mass to be examined. The biopsy device also includes a determining section for determining whether or not the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined, and a movement limiter for limiting movement of the biopsy needle within a plane perpendicular to a piercing direction along which the biopsy needle pierces the mass to be examined, if the determining section judges that the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined.

Abstract: A mammographic system which carries out a bioptic method for inserting a bioptic needle into a breast to sample a tissue from a bioptic region includes a display unit for displaying second stereoscopic images acquired by applying a radiation to the breast while the bioptic needle is being inserted in the breast, an indicating unit for indicating a pointed end of the bioptic needle and the bioptic region in each of the second stereoscopic images, a bioptic needle position calculator for calculating a three-dimensional coordinate position of the pointed end of the bioptic needle which is indicated, a bioptic region position calculator for calculating a three-dimensional coordinate position of the bioptic region which is indicated, and an angle calculator for calculating a direction of the calculated bioptic region with respect to the calculated pointed end of the bioptic needle and displaying the calculated direction on the display unit.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a first radiographic image acquirer for acquiring a first radiographic image captured in the scout image capturing process, a second radiographic image acquirer for acquiring a plurality of second radiographic images captured in the stereographic image capturing process, a first display controller for displaying the first radiographic image on a display unit, and a second display controller for displaying the second radiographic images on the display unit and, in case that the biopsy region is selected in the displayed first radiographic image, displaying, in the second radiographic images, respective guide lines passing through positions in the second radiographic images which correspond to the position of the biopsy region selected in the first radiographic image and extending parallel to or substantially parallel to a prescribed direction.

Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes a radiation source that outputs radiation, a radiation detector for detecting the radiation and converting such radiation into a radiographic image, and a reference point, which is disposed in a removable manner between the radiation source and the radiation detector. The reference point is disposed at the position of a center of rotation of the radiation source, which is set between the radiation source and the radiation detector. By rotating the radiation source about the position of the center of rotation, the radiation source applies radiation with respect to the reference point from at least two different angles.

Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing apparatus, a biopsy region positional information calculator calculates a three-dimensional position of a biopsy region in an object to be examined based on two radiographic images which are acquired in a stereographic image capturing process, an irradiated field calculator calculates a new irradiated field covering the biopsy region based on the calculated three-dimensional position of the biopsy region and two angles at which a radiation source is disposed in the stereographic image capturing process, and a collimator controller controls a collimator to change the irradiated field of the radiation to the new irradiated field in a next stereographic image capturing process.

Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing apparatus, an object to be examined is compressed and secured between a compression plate and an image capturing base, at a position off-center from a central position of the image capturing base near a subject in a direction along the subject. An opening is defined in the compression plate so as to confront the object to be examined in the off-center position. The radiation source irradiates the object to be examined as well as the opening with radiation from a central angle of the radiation source, which is aligned with a vertical axis of the image capturing base, and which passes through the central position from a predetermined angle that is angularly spaced from the central angle about the central position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for a guided single-phase or multi-phase linear motor actuator with a snap-together design. Some embodiments include the ability to monitor and/or adjust work being done, yet with a cost that is comparable to that of cams or pneumatic devices. In one embodiment, a coil is attached to a bobbin assembly that is secured behind a piston. To prevent rotation of the piston during operation, a spline bearing may be slidably fitted onto one or more grooves of a spline shaft disposed within the piston assembly. One or more cylindrical magnets surrounding the coil actuate the piston based upon the direction that current is traveling through the coil. Since the electromotive force generated is linear with respect to the spline shaft, unwanted lateral force acting upon the spline shaft can be reduced and/or eliminated.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a support base for supporting a mass to be examined, a compression plate for compressing and holding the mass to be examined against the support base, and a biopsy needle moving mechanism for moving a biopsy needle in a plane along the compression plate as well as in directions perpendicular to the compression plate. The biopsy needle is movable through an opening defined in the compression plate for insertion into the mass to be examined. The biopsy device also includes a determining section for determining whether or not the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined, and a movement limiter for limiting movement of the biopsy needle within a plane perpendicular to a piercing direction along which the biopsy needle pierces the mass to be examined, if the determining section judges that the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined.

Abstract: This invention describes a compact linear moving coil actuator that incorporates a piston bobbin coil assembly that provides a shaft with linear reciprocal movement. Optionally, a rotary motor can be coupled to the shaft to provide rotary reciprocal movement. The piston and bobbin sections of the piston bobbin coil assembly may be integrally formed as a single unitary piece and easily changed in size and/or configuration during manufacture to enable easier and more cost-effective assembly of various actuator sizes and configurations. Additionally, the compact size of the actuator requires less work space and also allows multiple actuators to be positioned next to each for various applications.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for changing the friction and stiffness characteristics of a linear guide assembly are disclosed. Micro-shims are strategically added between a carriage of the linear guide assembly and a mating component to increase or decrease the clearance between the carriage and a linear rail of the linear guide assembly.

Abstract: A radiation application time upper limit calculator calculates a radiation application time upper limit based on a subject thickness, as measured by a subject thickness measuring unit. While an X-ray tube is controlled according to exposure conditions that have been set in order to apply a radiation X to a breast to capture a radiation image thereof, an X-ray tube controller compares the applied radiation time with the radiation application time upper limit. If the applied radiation time exceeds the radiation application time upper limit, then application of radiation to the subject is interrupted, so as to prevent an inappropriate radiation dosage from being applied to an X-ray detector.

Abstract: A radiation application time upper limit calculator calculates a radiation application time upper limit based on a subject thickness, as measured by a subject thickness measuring unit. While an X-ray tube is controlled according to exposure conditions that have been set in order to apply a radiation X to a breast to capture a radiation image thereof, an X-ray tube controller compares the applied radiation time with the radiation application time upper limit. If the applied radiation time exceeds the radiation application time upper limit, then application of radiation to the subject is interrupted, so as to prevent an inappropriate radiation dosage from being applied to an X-ray detector.

Abstract: A mammographic system for capturing a radiation image of the breast of an examinee includes an image capturing base, having a radiation image information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the radiation image, and a breast compression plate for compressing the breast against the image capturing base. The breast compression plate has a fixed base for compressing and securing the breast, the fixed base includes a surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee, and a movable flap connected to the fixed base, which is displaceable in order to release the breast.

Abstract: Disclosed in a facsimile apparatus which is capable of transmitting image data representing an image pattern to a color facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus including: a designation device for designating colors in which the image data is reproduced and output on the side of the color facsimile apparatus; a communication controller for preparing communication information indicating the designated colors; and a communication device for transmitting the communication information to the color facsimile apparatus along with the image data.

Abstract: A process for transmitting mixed data, composed of character code data and bit image data in blocks and an apparatus therefor. Efficient transmission can be achieved by selecting the size of blocks suitably according to the quantity of data in each block or the number of blocks.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus is used in a network system in which a sub address is affixed to a subscriber apparatuses from each other. A proper incoming call indicating tone is registered beforehand in correspondence with a sub address, and an incoming call indicating tone which has been registered in accordance with the sub address is output when a terminating call is received. In consequence, a called terminal can be discriminated by the incoming call indicating tone. Further, a desired incoming call terminating tone can be heard.