Patent ID: 7970100
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A mammography apparatus for capturing an image of a breast, comprising: an X-ray source; a detector having a placement surface on which a breast is placed, wherein the placement surface opposes the X-ray source, and wherein the detector is configured to detect X-rays and near infrared rays transmitted through the breast; a pressing panel for pressing the breast that is placed on the placement surface against the placement surface and for transmitting X-rays and near infrared rays therethrough; a two-dimensional near infrared ray source for providing near infrared rays and is configured: to be provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel, and to be movable between a first position in which the two-dimensional near infrared ray source is in contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region, and a controller configured to carry out near infrared image capture using the two-dimensional near infrared ray source by moving the two-dimensional near infrared ray source to the first position, and configured to carry out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source by moving the two-dimensional near infrared ray source to the second position.