Abstract: A sensor comprises two identical vibrating members operating with a common working frequency and joined to each other by a mechanical decoupling device. The device comprises a frame and two connecting bridges each supporting one member. The frame comprises a succession of mass portions and thinned portions so that the frequency of one mode of structural resonance of the frame is substantially equal to the common working frequency, and each connecting bridge is disposed in a node of vibration of the frame at the common working frequency. Thus, the vibrations of the two vibrating members are decoupled from each other.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes an X-ray source adapted to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions in a sector, an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and a processor which is adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to move relative to the object and/or the X-ray source is adapted to irradiate the object with the beam of X-rays such that the beam of X-rays follows in a non arc shaped path and/or a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.

Abstract: Radiological imaging device comprising an emitter of an X-ray beam and a receiver of the X-ray beam after it has crossed an organ, the organ being capable of being placed between the receiver and a compression element, capable of being removably fixed on the device. A calculation unit includes a means for optimizing the image quality over a particular area defined by the compression element.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: The stereotaxic images being digitized, a target pixel in a target region of interest is selected, a target window of chosen dimensional characteristics and containing the said target region of interest is generated around the selected target pixel, a set of pixels is determined in a second image, according to a predetermined selection criterion, a second window, of the same dimensional characteristics as the said target window, is generated around each selected pixel, a correlation processing between the grey-scale levels of the pixels of each second window and the grey-scale levels of the pixels of the target window is carried out so as to obtain a correlation value for each second window, and the region of interest homologous to the target region of interest is identified on the basis of the analysis of the set of correlation values thus obtained, so as to minimize the risks of matching error between the homologous regions of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for breast vascularization from projective images resulting from the attenuations of an X-ray beam across the breast in the presence of an injected contrast-medium product. A series of projective images is acquired for different orientations of the beam, in relation to the breast. The projective images are treated to provide a reconstruction of a three-dimensional model of the breast observed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for medical imaging, particularly for mammography, wherein a body organ, such as a breast, is exposed to X-rays and the X-rays are collected after attenuation through the object. The recorded attenuations are processed and displaying a result of this processing in the form of a representation of an image of the object. The processing of the recorded attenuations form includes automatic classification of zones of the breast into pathological or non-pathological classes. The automatic classification takes into account at least one classification input into the apparatus in advance in association with data that can be collected by the apparatus, and using this prior classification as a reference in order to produce a classification of the same type if there is similarity between the collected data and the data associated with this reference classification.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling a fragment of tissue in which a contrast medium is injected into an organ to be examined and highlights parts containing that contrast medium in an image obtained by emitting a beam of X-rays. At least one pair of radiographic images is captured from a first position and a second position of an X-ray emitter during a phase of increasing attenuation due to the contrast medium. A specific area is identified from the pair of images in which a tissue fragment is to be sampled. The images of the pair of images are combined to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the specific area.

Abstract: A method for radiological image processing that includes: locating, on a radiological image provided by an imaging device, elements that may constitute signs of micro-calcification and displaying an image on which the intensity of elements thus localized is enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an apparatus that acquires a sequence of radiographic images and correcting images of an object under observation. For each image of a sequence acquired by the apparatus and for a given frequency of acquisition of the sequence, the apparatus is calibrated by determining the value of the variation of a mean of gray levels in at least one zone of interest of the current image of at least one calibration device, the variation being determined relative to the mean gray level of the first image of the sequence in each zone of interest. The determination of the variation is reiterated for a series of images sequences acquired using calibration devices resulting in first images of mean gray levels different from one sequence to another.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus and method having an X-ray tube, an image receiver, the image receiver having one edge in contact with a patient, a compression paddle between the tube and the receiver, able to be moved up and down parallel to a direction of propagation of the X-rays, means for keeping the compression paddle in position in the radiation propagation direction, the compression paddle, in its compression position, being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of X-ray propagation and parallel to the contact edge of the image receiver. This allows a patient's breast to be rolled and presented to the image receiver in different positions thereby reducing ambiguities in possible detection of a lesion due to layers of tissue overlapping when images are taken.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transducer constituting the sensitive member of a sensor whose frequency varies as a function of the intensity of force applied to it. The force transducer comprises a beam having length and rectangular cross-section with thickness and width and flexionally vibrating. The beam has a thickness reduced over a central portion of its length, its width remaining constant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of evaluation of the radiographic image quality of a phantom containing cells with two visualizable objects, characterized in that it involves stages in which:—the coordinates of each phantom cell are determined on each phantom image;—for each phantom cell containing at least two objects:—a level of a radiographic reference signal is calculated in an area of reference at right angles with the first object whose position in the cell is known;—for each area of the cell capable of containing the other object:—a search area formed by a set of pixels is defined;—for each pixel of the search area:—a signal sample is extracted in an area of interest centered on the pixel and of the same size as the reference area;—a logarithmic probability function is calculated between the sample and the reference signal, the probability function corresponding to a mathematical observer;—a surface parameter of the set of probability values thus ob

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing radiological images having an imaging device commanded to acquire images at a given frequency and to transmit them to a processor. The processor reconstitute, based on several images acquired by the imaging device, intermediate images. A display successively displays the acquired images and the intermediate images, the intermediate images being placed between the acquired images so that the frequency at which the display renews the displayed image is greater than the acquisition frequency of the imaging device.

Abstract: A filtering system for use in, for example, a radiological imaging in a mammography apparatus. The system has a roundabout carrying a set of filtration plates. Each filtration plate is held on the roundabout by a joint. In a parked or stationary position, each plate is vertically suspended and does not contribute to any unacceptable increase in the horizontal space requirement of an X-ray tube. Each filtration plate may be presented in turn before a window for the emission of X-rays from the tube. At this position, the plate is rectified about its joint in order to occupy one position, among several possible positions, that also makes it possible, in this way, to modulate the filtration capacity of the plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a radiographic image of an object obtained by a radiography apparatus containing an X-ray emitter, in which an anti-scatter grid placed between the object and a radiographic image receiver is displaced, on rectilinear translation in its plane, when acquiring the images, between a starting position and an arrival position, according to a time displacement law of reference, at a greater rate of displacement in proximity to a starting position and to the arrival position. A measurement of the energy received in the form of X-radiation by the receiver is used to modify the rate of displacement of the grid at every instant.

Abstract: A method for management of dynamic range of a radiological image by processing an acquired image by subjecting context components as well as components of the details of the image to contrast expansion factors whose value depends on a signal of the context image, at the position of the concerned pixels. A signal in terms of gray levels or in terms of acquired doses is converted into a radiological thicknesses signal carry out the processing. At the end of the processing, the dynamic range of the processed image is reset so that it corresponds to that of a radiology apparatus, especially by compression. If desired, the factors are modified as a function of a choice made by the user.

Abstract: The method comprises a histogram of the radiographed image, i.e., a real histogram, a mathematical model of the image chain and the object obtained by calibration. The mathematical model of the image chain and the object and a set of parameters of acquisition, of the detector, of the positioner and of the object are used to determine two values of gray level, gray min and gray max, delimiting a useful zone and the part below gray min and the part above gray max are suppressed in the real histogram, i.e., a limited histogram. A set of rules is applied to the limited histogram in order to determine the level of brightness (WL) and the contrast (WW) is obtained from the brightness and possibly from one or more parameters selected by the user or fixed a priori.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for examination of a breast, in which a contrast medium is injected in the breast to be examined, an X-ray beam is emitted in the direction of the breast; a plurality of digital images of the X-ray beam is taken after it has crossed the breast, and a representative image of the contrast produced in the tissues of the breast is calculated from the digital images.

Abstract: Device for taking radiologic images, of the type comprising a means of emission of an X-ray beam and a means of reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through an organ to be studied. The means of emission and the means of reception are supported by an arm pivoting about at least one shaft supported by a frame. The device comprises a means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm, a means for entering data relative to the organ to be studied, a processing means capable of determining the type of image that will be taken as a function of the angle of swivel and of the said data relative to the organ, and a means for displaying on the image the type of image determined by the said processing means.