Patent Description:
A mammography apparatus is known that irradiates a breast of a subject with radiation and captures a radiation image of the breast. The mammography apparatus is provided with an imaging table on which the breast is placed and a compression plate which is disposed to face the imaging table and compresses the breast. The compression plate can be raised and lowered in a vertical direction with respect to the imaging table, and the breast is compressed by lowering the compression plate toward the imaging table. As an operation portion operated to raise and lower the compression plate, a button operation portion, a pedal operation portion, a rotation operation portion, and the like are known. The button operation portion and the pedal operation portion have two buttons or two foot pedals corresponding to a raising instruction and a lowering instruction, and are operated by a pressing operation of the button or a depressing operation of the pedal.

The rotation operation portion includes a rotation knob, a jog dial, or the like. The rotation operation portion can rotate in two rotation directions, a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, and the two rotation directions are assigned to the raising instruction or the lowering instruction, respectively. A mammography apparatus disclosed in <CIT> is provided with a handle in a form of a rotation knob as an operation portion that raises and lowers a pad (corresponding to a compression plate) that presses a chest (corresponding to a breast). By rotating the handle, the pad is raised and lowered. Document <CIT> provides an X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray source to emit an X-ray onto a breast, a detector assembly configured to detect the X-ray transmitted through the breast, a compression paddle configured to compress the breast positioned on the detector assembly, a paddle manipulator configured to control the compression paddle according to a command, a degree-of-compression sensor configured to measure a degree of compression to which the breast is compressed by the compression paddle, and a pressure controller configured to supply a pressure corresponding to the measured degree of compression of the breast to the paddle manipulator.

In each of the operation portions described above, the operation direction is not along a movement direction of the compression plate in the vertical direction. For example, the operation directions of the pressing operation of the button or the depressing operation of the pedal, and the rotation operation of the rotation knob or the jog dial are all significantly different from the vertical direction, which is the movement direction of the raising and lowering operation of the compression plate. In a case in which the operation direction of the operation portion is not along the movement direction of the compression plate as described above, it is difficult to understand a correspondence between the operation direction of the operation portion and the movement direction of the compression plate. In a case in which the correspondence is difficult to understand, it is necessary for an operator to confirm the correspondence for each operation, such as which of the two buttons is pressed to raise or lower the compression plate or which way to turn the rotation knob to raise or lower the compression plate, and thus there is a problem of poor operability, such as the need to move the compression plate slightly on a trial basis to confirm the movement direction. Document <CIT> discloses a mamma pressing mechanism for a mamma roentgenograph. When a lift lever is depressed in a first direction to lower a support member in a second direction, a mamma pressing plate lowers to a cassette while as it is lifted in a third direction, a pinion is turned freely and the support member rises in a fourth direction. As a result, the mamma pressing plate rises to the cassette. Moreover, a knob for fine adjustment is provided on the outer end of a rotating shaft to turn the pinion meshed with a rack direct manually and linked thereto. Thus, by turning the knob, a pressing force of the mamma by the mamma pressing plate can be adjusted. According to <CIT>, a pinion, a rack and a spring are used for translating a movement of the lift lever and the knob into a movement of the mamma pressing plate.

The present invention is to provide a mammography apparatus having better operability of a compression plate than the related art. The present invention relates to a mammography apparatus with the features of claim <NUM>.

The mammography apparatus according to the present invention comprises an imaging table on which a breast of a subject is placed, a compression plate that compresses the breast, the compression plate being disposed to face the imaging table and being movable in a vertical direction with respect to the imaging table, and an operation portion that is operated to move the compression plate, the operation portion being provided separately from the compression plate and being displaced along a movement direction of the compression plate.

According to the invention, the mammography apparatus further comprises a support portion that is connected to and moves together with the compression plate to be movable with respect to the imaging table, in which the operation portion is provided on the support portion.

According to a non-claimed example, the mammography apparatus may comprise a support portion that supports the compression plate to be movable with respect to the imaging table, and a movable portion that is disposed between the compression plate and the support portion and is moved in the vertical direction together with the compression plate, in which the operation portion is provided on the support portion.

According to the invention, the mammography apparatus further comprises an actuator that drives the compression plate, in which the actuator is activated in response to an operation of the operation portion, and the compression plate is moved by driving force generated by the actuator.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a processor that controls the actuator to change a movement speed of the compression plate.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a displacement amount detection unit that detects a displacement amount of the operation portion, in which the processor changes the movement speed of the compression plate based on the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a height detection unit that detects a height of the compression plate with respect to the imaging table, in which the processor changes the movement speed of the compression plate in response to the height of the compression plate.

It is preferable that the processor sets an initial speed of the compression plate in a case in which the compression plate is raised from a state in which the compression plate is positioned at a relatively low position to be faster than an initial speed of the compression plate in a case in which the compression plate is raised from a state in which the compression plate is positioned at a relatively high position.

It is preferable that the processor sets an initial speed of the compression plate in a case in which the compression plate is lowered from a state in which the compression plate is positioned at a relatively high position to be faster than an initial speed of the compression plate in a case in which the compression plate is lowered from a state in which the compression plate is positioned at a relatively low position.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a displacement speed detection unit that detects a displacement speed of the operation portion, in which the processor sets the movement speed of the compression plate to be faster as the displacement speed of the operation portion is faster.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure received by the compression plate from the breast.

It is preferable that the processor sets a rate of change in speed, which is a ratio of a change amount of the movement speed of the compression plate to a unit displacement amount of the operation portion, to be smaller as the pressure is larger.

It is preferable that the processor stops movement of the compression plate in a case in which the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value.

It is preferable that the mammography apparatus further comprises a load increasing unit that increases a load for operating the operation portion as a displacement amount of the operation portion is larger.

According to the invention, the operation portion is a cantilever type lever having one end, which is a free end, and at least the free end is displaced along the movement direction of the compression plate.

It is preferable that assuming that a direction of a position of the subject who places the breast on the imaging table is anterior and an opposite direction thereof is posterior, the operation portion stretches in an anteroposterior direction or a lateral direction.

It is preferable that the operation portion rotates about a fulcrum provided on a base end side.

It is preferable that the operation portion includes a main shaft portion that extends from the base end side to a free end side, and a protruding portion that is provided on the main shaft portion and protrudes to at least one of a lower side or an upper side with an axial direction of the main shaft portion as a reference.

It is preferable that the protruding portion includes a first protruding portion that protrudes to the lower side of the main shaft portion, and a second protruding portion that protrudes to the upper side of the main shaft portion.

It is preferable that the protruding portion has a hook shape or a ring shape.

According to the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide a mammography apparatus having better operability of the compression plate than the related art.

<FIG> shows an example of an overall configuration of a mammography apparatus according to a first embodiment. A mammography apparatus <NUM> uses a breast M of a subject (see <FIG>) as an object. The mammography apparatus <NUM> is a radiography apparatus that irradiates the breast M with radiation (for example, X-rays or γ-rays) and captures a radiation image of the breast M.

The mammography apparatus <NUM> comprises an apparatus body <NUM> and a control device <NUM>. The apparatus body <NUM> is installed in a radiography room of a medical facility, for example. The control device <NUM> is installed in a control room adjacent to the radiography room, for example. The control device <NUM> is a desktop-type personal computer, for example. The control device <NUM> is communicably connected to an image database server (not shown) via a network (not shown) such as a local area network (LAN).

The apparatus body <NUM> includes a stand <NUM> and an arm <NUM>. The stand <NUM> is configured by a seat 20A installed on a floor of the radiography room and a support column 20B extending in a height direction from the seat 20A. The arm <NUM> has a substantially C-shape as viewed from the side, and is connected to the support column 20B. Since the arm <NUM> is movable in the height direction with respect to the support column 20B, a height thereof can be adjusted in response to a height of the subject. In addition, the arm <NUM> can rotate around a rotation shaft perpendicular to the support column 20B.

The arm <NUM> is configured by a radiation source housing portion <NUM>, an imaging table <NUM>, and a body portion <NUM>. A radiation source <NUM> is housed in the radiation source housing portion <NUM>. The breast M of the subject is placed on the imaging table <NUM>. A radiation detector <NUM> is housed in the imaging table <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> integrally connects the radiation source housing portion <NUM> and the imaging table <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> holds the radiation source housing portion <NUM> and the imaging table <NUM> at facing positions. Handrails <NUM> held by the subject by the hands are provided on the both sides of the body portion <NUM>.

The radiation source <NUM> irradiates the breast M placed on the imaging table <NUM> with the radiation. The radiation emitted from the radiation source <NUM> is transmitted through a compression plate <NUM> and then incident on the breast M. The radiation detector <NUM> detects the radiation transmitted through the breast M and outputs the radiation image. The radiation detector <NUM> is called a flat panel detector (FPD). The radiation detector <NUM> may include a scintillator that converts the radiation into visible light, and may be an indirect conversion type that converts the visible light emitted by the scintillator into an electric signal, or a direct conversion type that directly converts the radiation into an electric signal.

An irradiation field limiter <NUM> is provided between the radiation source housing portion <NUM> and the imaging table <NUM>. The irradiation field limiter <NUM> is also called a collimator, and defines an irradiation field of the radiation to the imaging table <NUM>.

A face guard <NUM> is attached to the radiation source housing portion <NUM>. The face guard <NUM> is made or coated with a material through which the radiation is not transmitted, and protects a face of the subject from the radiation.

The compression plate <NUM>, which interposes and compresses the breast M with the imaging table <NUM>, is provided between the imaging table <NUM> and the irradiation field limiter <NUM>. The compression plate <NUM> is made of a material through which the radiation is transmitted. The compression plate <NUM> is disposed at a position facing the imaging table <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the compression plate <NUM> has a box shape with an open upper surface side. The compression plate <NUM> may have another shape, such as a flat plate shape.

The body portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM> supports the compression plate <NUM> to be movable with respect to the imaging table <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> is an example of a "support portion" according to the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, a movable portion <NUM> is disposed between the compression plate <NUM> and the body portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> is held by a rail <NUM> provided on the body portion <NUM> to be movable slidingly. The rail <NUM> stretches in a vertical direction.

The compression plate <NUM> is attached to the movable portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> is moved in the vertical direction together with the compression plate <NUM> by a drive mechanism, which will be described below. Functionally, the vertical direction is a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is moved toward the imaging table <NUM> (downward direction) and a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is separated from the imaging table <NUM> (upward direction). As described above, the compression plate <NUM> is configured to be movable with respect to the imaging table <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged view of the mammography apparatus <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the mammography apparatus <NUM> is provided with an operation portion <NUM> that moves the compression plate <NUM> in the vertical direction. The operation portion <NUM> is provided separately from the compression plate <NUM>, and is displaced along a movement direction of the compression plate <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the operation portion <NUM> is provided on the movable portion <NUM>.

The operation portion <NUM> is operated in a case in which an operator, such as a radiologist, compresses the breast with respect to the imaging table <NUM> with the compression plate <NUM> to perform positioning of the breast M during radiography. In addition, the operation portion <NUM> is operated in a case in which the operator releases the compression of the breast M by the compression plate <NUM> after the radiography is terminated.

As shown in <FIG>, the operation portion <NUM> is a cantilever type lever having one end, which is a free end, and the free end is displaced along the movement direction of the compression plate <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the operation portion <NUM> is configured by a rod-shaped main shaft portion 40A and a spherical-shaped grip portion 40B. The grip portion 40B is attached to one end (that is, free end) of the main shaft portion 40A. A rotation shaft <NUM> is provided at the other end (that is, base end) of the main shaft portion 40A. The rotation shaft <NUM> is disposed inside the movable portion <NUM>.

The operation portion <NUM> is attached to the movable portion <NUM> such that the main shaft portion 40A stretches toward a side of the subject who places the breast M on the imaging table <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the main shaft portion 40A obliquely stretches in the upward direction toward the side of the subject. That is, assuming that a direction of a position of the subject who places the breast on the imaging table <NUM> is anterior and an opposite direction thereof is posterior, the operation portion <NUM> having a lever shape stretches in an anteroposterior direction. In the mammography apparatus <NUM>, assuming that a stand <NUM> side is posterior and a direction in which the imaging table <NUM> protrudes is anterior, the anteroposterior direction is, in other words, a depth direction of the mammography apparatus <NUM>, and the operation portion <NUM> stretches in the depth direction of the mammography apparatus <NUM>. Here, the anteroposterior direction, which is a stretching direction of the operation portion <NUM>, is a concept including a case other than a case of being parallel to the floor (horizontal plane) as in the present example, and does not include a width direction and a perpendicular direction of the mammography apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, in a case of being defined by an angle with the horizontal plane as a reference, the stretching direction of the operation portion <NUM> at a neutral position (position indicated by a solid line in <FIG>) in a state of not being operated is about <NUM>° or less with respect to the horizontal plane, preferably <NUM>° or less as in the present example.

The operation portion <NUM> rotates with the rotation shaft <NUM> provided on a base end side as a fulcrum. The grip portion 40B is displaced in a direction along the movement direction of the compression plate <NUM>, that is, in the vertical direction. The operator can displace the grip portion 40B in the vertical direction in a state of gripping the grip portion 40B. In a case in which the grip portion 40B is displaced in the downward direction, the compression plate <NUM> is moved (that is, lowered) toward the imaging table <NUM>. In a case in which the grip portion 40B is displaced in the upward direction, the compression plate <NUM> moves (that is, raised) in a direction separated from the imaging table <NUM>.

Further, <FIG> shows an example of configurations of the drive mechanism of the compression plate <NUM> and a processor that controls movement of the compression plate <NUM>. A drive mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a so-called electric linear actuator. The drive mechanism <NUM> is provided, for example, inside the body portion <NUM> and is activated by an operation of the operation portion <NUM>.

The drive mechanism <NUM> includes a rod screw <NUM>, a nut <NUM>, a coupling <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, and a motor driver <NUM>. The rod screw <NUM> extends in the vertical direction along the rail <NUM> (see <FIG>). The rod screw <NUM> is a trapezoidal screw, for example. The nut <NUM> is screwed with the rod screw <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> is connected to the nut <NUM> via a connection portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> is moved in the vertical direction together with the nut <NUM> by rotation of the rod screw <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> is connected to the rod screw <NUM> via the coupling <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is driven by the motor driver <NUM> and rotates the rod screw <NUM> via the coupling <NUM>. A rotation direction of the rod screw <NUM> corresponds to the movement direction of the movable portion <NUM>. For example, in a case in which the rod screw <NUM> rotates clockwise, the movable portion <NUM> is lowered, and in a case in which the rod screw <NUM> rotates counterclockwise, the movable portion <NUM> is raised. In addition, a rotation speed of the rod screw <NUM> corresponds to a movement speed of the movable portion <NUM>.

As described above, the compression plate <NUM> is moved together with the movable portion <NUM> by driving force generated by the drive mechanism <NUM> as the actuator.

A processor <NUM> is configured by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and the like. The processor <NUM> realizes various functions by executing a process by the CPU based on a program stored in the memory. The processor <NUM> is provided, for example, inside the body portion <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the processor <NUM> includes a displacement direction detection unit <NUM> and a compression plate movement controller <NUM>. The displacement direction detection unit <NUM> detects a displacement direction of the operation portion <NUM> based on a detection signal output from a potentiometer <NUM> as an angle detection sensor connected to the rotation shaft <NUM> of the operation portion <NUM>. The potentiometer <NUM> is provided inside the movable portion <NUM>, and outputs the detection signal in response to an angle of the operation portion <NUM>. Note that it is also possible to use an encoder as the angle detection sensor instead of the potentiometer <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a state in which the operation portion <NUM> is positioned at the neutral position is shown by the solid line. For example, the displacement direction detection unit <NUM> detects a case in which the grip portion 40B of the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the downward direction from the neutral position as "displacement in a positive direction" and detects a case in which the grip portion 40B of the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the upward direction from the neutral position as "displacement in a negative direction", and detects whether the displacement direction is positive or negative.

The compression plate movement controller <NUM> controls the drive mechanism <NUM> based on the displacement direction detected by the displacement direction detection unit <NUM>. Specifically, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> controls the motor driver <NUM> in response to the displacement direction detected by the displacement direction detection unit <NUM> to change a rotation direction of the motor <NUM>. In a case in which the displacement direction is the positive direction (that is, downward direction), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> lowers the compression plate <NUM> together with the movable portion <NUM> by rotating the motor <NUM> clockwise. In addition, in a case in which the displacement direction is the negative direction (that is, upward direction), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> raises the compression plate <NUM> together with the movable portion <NUM> by rotating the motor <NUM> counterclockwise.

Next, an example of a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. First, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is started (step S10). For example, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is started in a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is displaced from the neutral position.

In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is started (step S10: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the displacement direction detected by the displacement direction detection unit <NUM> (step S11). The compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the acquired displacement direction is the downward direction (step S12). In a case in which it is determined that the displacement direction is the downward direction (step S12: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> controls the drive mechanism <NUM> to lower the compression plate <NUM> (step S13). On the other hand, in a case in which it is determined that the displacement direction is the upward direction (step S12: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> controls the drive mechanism <NUM> to raise the compression plate <NUM> (step S14).

After executing step S13 or step S14, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S15). For example, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated in a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is returned to the neutral position. In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is not terminated (step S15: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> returns the process to step S11.

The compression plate movement controller <NUM> repeats the processes of steps S11 to S15 until it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated, and terminates the process in a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S15: YES).

In a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered to compress the breast M, the operator who operates the operation portion <NUM> need only operate the operation portion <NUM> in a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered. On the contrary, in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised to release the compression of the breast M, the operator who operates the operation portion <NUM> need only operate the operation portion <NUM> in a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation portion is displaced along the movement direction of the compression plate, and thus the operation direction of the operation portion and the movement direction of the compression plate are substantially the same. Therefore, the operator can intuitively operate the operation portion. That is, the mammography apparatus according to the present embodiment has better operability of the compression plate as compared with an apparatus in the related art in which the operation direction of the operation portion and the movement direction of the compression plate are significantly different. Therefore, according to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the mammography apparatus having better operability of the compression plate than the related art.

Next, a mammography apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in a functional configuration of the processor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the processor <NUM> includes a displacement amount detection unit <NUM> and the compression plate movement controller <NUM>. In addition, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> includes a speed controller 62A.

The displacement amount detection unit <NUM> detects an angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> based on the detection signal output from the potentiometer <NUM>. In <FIG>, the state in which the operation portion <NUM> is positioned at the neutral position is shown by a broken line. The angle θ represents a rotation angle of the operation portion <NUM> from the neutral position. For example, the angle θ has a "positive value" in a case in which the grip portion 40B of the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the downward direction from the neutral position, and has a "negative value" in a case in which the grip portion 40B of the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the upward direction from the neutral position. That is, the angle θ is a concept including the "displacement direction" described in the first embodiment. Note that the angle θ is an example of a "displacement amount" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The speed controller 62A obtains a speed V corresponding to the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>, and controls the motor driver <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the obtained speed V. For example, the speed V has a "positive value" in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered, and has a "negative value" in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised. That is, the speed V is a concept including the "movement direction" described in the first embodiment. The speed controller 62A controls a rotation speed (including the rotation direction) of the motor <NUM> via the motor driver <NUM> to change the speed V at which the compression plate <NUM> is moved.

<FIG> shows an example of a relationship between the angle θ and the speed V. In <FIG>, the speed V has a proportional relationship with the angle θ. The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V corresponding to the angle θ detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> based on the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V shown in <FIG>. Note that the speed controller 62A may store the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V as a function to obtain the speed V based on the function. In addition, the speed controller 62A may store the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V in the memory as a look up table (LUT), and obtain the speed V based on the LUT.

In a case in which the speed controller 62A performs a speed control using the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V shown in <FIG>, the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> is changed in proportion to the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM>. That is, a rate of change in the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> with respect to a unit displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM> is fixed.

<FIG> shows another example of the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V. In <FIG>, a relationship between the speed V and the angle θ is non-linear, and the rate of change in the speed V is larger as the angle θ is larger. The speed V is changed with respect to the angle θ at a rate of change such as an exponential function, for example.

In a case in which the speed controller 62A performs a speed control using the relationship between the angle θ and the speed V shown in <FIG>, the rate of change in the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> is increased as the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM> is larger.

Next, an example of a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. Steps S20 to S24 shown in <FIG> are the same as steps S10 to S14 shown in <FIG>, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

After step S23 or step S24, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> (step S25). The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V based on the angle θ acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S26). Then, the speed controller 62A controls the drive mechanism <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the obtained speed V (step S27).

Thereafter, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S28). In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is not terminated (step S28: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> returns the process to step S25. In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S28: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> terminates the process.

<FIG> describes an action of the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment. <FIG> shows the change in the speed V in a case in which the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> is increased. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, in a case in which the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> is increased from θ<NUM> to θ<NUM>, the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> is increased from V<NUM> to V<NUM>. <FIG> shows a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the downward direction, but the same applies to a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the upward direction.

In the present embodiment, the movement speed of the compression plate <NUM> is faster as the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM> is larger, so that the operator can intuitively perform the operation.

Next, a mammography apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the functional configuration of the processor <NUM> and in that an encoder <NUM> is connected to the motor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the third embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the processor <NUM> includes the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>, a height detection unit <NUM>, and the compression plate movement controller <NUM>. In addition, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> includes the speed controller 62A and a speed adjustment unit 62B. Further, in the present embodiment, the encoder <NUM> is connected to the motor <NUM>.

The displacement amount detection unit <NUM> and the speed controller 62A have the same functions as the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> and the speed controller 62A described in the second embodiment. The displacement amount detection unit <NUM> detects the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM>. The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V corresponding to the angle θ detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>, and controls the motor driver <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the obtained speed V.

The encoder <NUM> converts a mechanical displacement amount of the rotation of the motor <NUM> into an electric signal and outputs the converted electric signal. The height detection unit <NUM> detects a height H of the compression plate <NUM> with respect to the imaging table <NUM> based on the output signal output from the encoder <NUM>. The height H refers to an interval between the compression plate <NUM> and the imaging table <NUM>. The height H of the compression plate <NUM> with respect to the imaging table <NUM> is higher as the interval between the compression plate <NUM> and the imaging table <NUM> is wider, and the height H of the compression plate <NUM> with respect to the imaging table <NUM> is lower as the interval therebetween is narrower.

Specifically, the output signal of the encoder <NUM> includes a pulse in response to the rotation of the motor <NUM>. The height detection unit <NUM> counts the number of the pulses included in the output signal of the encoder <NUM>, and converts the counted number of the pulses into a distance to obtain the height H. Note that it is also possible to use a potentiometer instead of the encoder <NUM>.

The speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> controlled by the speed controller 62A. In the present embodiment, the speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts an initial speed Vi of the compression plate <NUM> in response to the height H detected by the height detection unit <NUM> and the displacement direction of the compression plate <NUM>. The initial speed Vi is the movement speed immediately after the start of movement of the compression plate <NUM>, which is moved from a stationary state. After the start of movement of the compression plate <NUM>, during a certain period of time, the speed adjustment unit 62B applies the initial speed Vi in response to the height H and the displacement direction of the compression plate <NUM> instead of the speed V obtained by the speed controller 62A. Note that the period of time during which the initial speed Vi is applied may be a fixed value, but may be the time from the start of movement of the compression plate <NUM> to the time when a movement amount reaches a defined value.

The speed adjustment unit 62B decides the initial speed Vi, for example, based on a relationship between the height H and the initial speed Vi shown in <FIG>. The speed adjustment unit 62B obtains the displacement direction of the compression plate <NUM> based on the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>.

In a case in which the displacement direction of the compression plate <NUM> is the downward direction, the speed adjustment unit 62B decides the initial speed Vi by using a first function F1. In addition, in a case in which the displacement direction of the compression plate <NUM> is the upward direction, the speed adjustment unit 62B decides the initial speed Vi by using a second function F2. In the first function F1, the initial speed Vi is faster as the height H is higher. On the contrary, in the second function F2, the initial speed Vi is faster as the height H is lower. In the present embodiment, the first function F1 and the second function F2 are linear functions, but the first function F1 and the second function F2 may be non-linear functions. In addition, the speed adjustment unit 62B may store information representing the first function F1 and the second function F2 as the LUT in the memory, and decide the initial speed Vi based on the LUT.

Next, an example of a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. Steps S30 to S34 shown in <FIG> are the same as steps S10 to S14 shown in <FIG>, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

After step S33 or step S34, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the height H detected by the height detection unit <NUM> (step S35). The speed adjustment unit 62B decides the initial speed Vi based on the height H acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S36). At this time, the speed adjustment unit 62B selects one of the first function F1 or the second function F2 based on the displacement direction detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>, and uses the selected function to decide the initial speed Vi corresponding to the height H.

Next, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> (step S37). The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V based on the angle θ acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S38). Then, the speed controller 62A controls the drive mechanism <NUM> based on the initial speed Vi decided by the speed adjustment unit 62B and the obtained speed V (step S39). At this time, the speed controller 62A applies the initial speed Vi instead of the speed V for a certain period of time.

Thereafter, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S40). In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is not terminated (step S40: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> returns the process to step S37. In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S40: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> terminates the process.

As described above, the acquisition of the height H (step S35) and the decision of the initial speed Vi (step S36) are executed only immediately after the start of the operation of the operation portion <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views describing an action of the mammography apparatus according to the third embodiment. <FIG> shows the initial speed Vi in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered from two different heights H. An initial speed Vi1d of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered from a state in which the compression plate <NUM> is positioned at a relatively high position (height H<NUM>) is faster than an initial speed Vi2d of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered from a state in which the compression plate <NUM> is positioned at a relatively low position (height H<NUM>).

<FIG> shows the initial speed Vi in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised from two different heights H. An initial speed Vi2u of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised from a state in which the compression plate <NUM> is positioned at a relatively low position (height H<NUM>) is faster than an initial speed Vi1u of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised from a state in which the compression plate <NUM> is positioned at a relatively high position (height H<NUM>).

In the present embodiment, the initial speed Vi is decreased in a case in which the compression plate <NUM> is moved from a position close to an upper limit or a lower limit of a movable range of the compression plate <NUM>, so that the safety of the apparatus is improved.

Next, a mammography apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the functional configuration of the processor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the processor <NUM> includes the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>, a displacement speed detection unit <NUM>, and the compression plate movement controller <NUM>. In addition, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> includes the speed controller 62A and the speed adjustment unit 62B.

The displacement amount detection unit <NUM> has the same function as the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> described in the second embodiment. The displacement amount detection unit <NUM> detects the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM>.

The displacement speed detection unit <NUM> detects a displacement speed ω of the operation portion <NUM> by obtaining a rate of temporal change in the angle θ detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the displacement speed ω is an angular speed.

In the present embodiment, the speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V based on the displacement speed ω detected by the displacement speed detection unit <NUM>. For example, the speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V by multiplying the speed V by a coefficient proportional to the magnitude of the displacement speed ω. That is, the speed adjustment unit 62B performs adjustment to set the speed V to be faster as the displacement speed ω is faster. In the present embodiment, the speed controller 62A controls the motor driver <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the speed V adjusted by the speed adjustment unit 62B.

Next, an example of a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. Steps S50 to S54 shown in <FIG> are the same as steps S10 to S14 shown in <FIG>, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

After step S53 or step S54, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> (step S55). The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V based on the angle θ acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S56).

Next, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the displacement speed ω detected by the displacement speed detection unit <NUM> (step S57). The speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V based on the displacement speed ω acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S58). Then, the speed controller 62A controls the drive mechanism <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the adjusted speed V (step S59).

Thereafter, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S60). In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is not terminated (step S60: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> returns the process to step S55. In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S60: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> terminates the process.

<FIG> describes an action of the mammography apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. <FIG> shows the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> is the same and the displacement speed ω is different. Even in a case in which the angle θ is the same, in a case in which the displacement speed ω is relatively slow (displacement speed ω<NUM>), the speed V is slow (speed V<NUM>), and in a case in which the displacement speed ω is relatively fast (displacement speed ω<NUM>), the speed V is fast (speed V<NUM>). <FIG> shows a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the downward direction, but the same applies to a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the upward direction.

In the present embodiment, the movement speed of the compression plate <NUM> is faster as the operation portion <NUM> is displaced faster, so that the operator can intuitively perform the operation.

Next, a mammography apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the functional configuration of the processor <NUM> and in that a pressure sensor is provided on the compression plate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the processor <NUM> includes the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> and the compression plate movement controller <NUM>. In addition, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> includes the speed controller 62A and the speed adjustment unit 62B. Further, in the present embodiment, the compression plate <NUM> is provided with a pressure sensor <NUM> that detects a pressure P received from the breast M interposed between the imaging table <NUM> and the compression plate <NUM>. As the pressure sensor <NUM>, for example, a piezoelectric element is used. The pressure sensor <NUM> is an example of a "pressure detection unit" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that the pressure sensor <NUM> may be provided on the imaging table <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V based on the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor <NUM>. For example, the speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V by multiplying the speed V by a coefficient that is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the pressure P. That is, the speed adjustment unit 62B performs adjustment to set the speed V to be slower as the pressure P is larger. The speed controller 62A controls the motor driver <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the speed V adjusted by the speed adjustment unit 62B. In the present embodiment, the rate of change in speed, which is a ratio of the change amount of the movement speed of the compression plate <NUM> to a unit displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM>, is smaller as the pressure P is larger.

<FIG> shows a relationship between the rate of change in speed and the pressure P. As shown in <FIG>, in a case in which the relationship between the speed V and the angle θ is a proportional relationship, an inclination corresponding to the rate of change in speed is changed in response to the pressure P. The inclination is smaller as the pressure P is larger. Stated another way, in a case in which the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> is fixed, the speed V is slower as the pressure P is larger.

Next, an example of a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in <FIG>. Steps S70 to S74 shown in <FIG> are the same as steps S10 to S14 shown in <FIG>, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

After step S73 or step S74, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the angle θ as the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> (step S75). The speed controller 62A obtains the speed V based on the angle θ acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S76).

Next, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> acquires the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> (step S77). The speed adjustment unit 62B adjusts the speed V based on the pressure P acquired by the compression plate movement controller <NUM> (step S78). Then, the speed controller 62A controls the drive mechanism <NUM> such that the compression plate <NUM> is moved at the adjusted speed V (step S79).

Thereafter, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S80). In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is not terminated (step S80: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> returns the process to step S75. In a case in which it is determined that the operation of the operation portion <NUM> is terminated (step S80: YES), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> terminates the process.

<FIG> describes an action of the mammography apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. <FIG> shows the speed V of the compression plate <NUM> in a case in which the angle θ of the operation portion <NUM> is the same and the pressure P is different. Even in a case in which the angle θ is the same, in a case in which the pressure P is relatively low (pressure P<NUM>), the speed V is high (speed V<NUM>), and in a case in which the pressure P is relatively high (pressure P<NUM>), the speed V is slow (speed V<NUM>).

In the present embodiment, the movement speed of the compression plate <NUM> is slower as the pressure of the breast M compressed by the compression plate <NUM> is larger, so that the safety of the apparatus is improved.

<FIG> is a flowchart describing a movement control of the compression plate <NUM> according to a modification example of the fifth embodiment. The flowchart shown in <FIG> is different from the flowchart shown in <FIG> in that steps S90 and S91 are added.

In step S90, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> determines whether or not the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value. In a case in which it is determined that the pressure P is not equal to or larger than the threshold value (step S90: NO), the compression plate movement controller <NUM> shifts the process to step S78. On the other hand, in a case in which it is determined that the pressure P is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> stops the movement of the compression plate <NUM> (step S91). Thereafter, the compression plate movement controller <NUM> shifts the process to step S80.

According to the present modification example, even in a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is operated, the movement of the compression plate <NUM> is stopped in a case in which the pressure P is equal to or larger than the threshold value, and the height of the compression plate <NUM> is not changed, so that the safety is further improved.

Various modification examples of the operation portion <NUM> are shown below.

<FIG> shows the operation portion <NUM> according to a first modification example. In the present modification example, a coil spring <NUM> is attached to the rotation shaft <NUM> of the operation portion <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> is a biasing member that biases the operation portion <NUM> in a direction toward the neutral position shown by the solid line. Therefore, in a case in which the operation portion <NUM> is not operated, a posture of the operation portion <NUM> is maintained in the neutral position by the coil spring <NUM>.

The coil spring <NUM> increases a load for operating the operation portion <NUM>. That is, the coil spring <NUM> functions as a load increasing unit for operating the operation portion <NUM>. The load is larger as the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM> is larger.

<FIG> describes an action of the load increasing unit. As shown in <FIG>, in a case in which the operator manually displaces the operation portion <NUM> in the downward direction, the load increasing unit generates the load in a direction of returning the operation portion <NUM> to the neutral position. In a case in which the hand is released from the operation portion <NUM>, the operation portion <NUM> is returned to the neutral position.

By biasing the operation portion <NUM> to the neutral position, the operation portion <NUM> can be easily displaced in the vertical direction with the neutral position as a reference. In addition, the operator can intuitively recognize the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM> depending on the magnitude of the load.

Note that in the present modification example, a coil spring is used as the load increasing unit, but the load increasing unit is not limited to the coil spring, and various springs can be used. In addition, the load increasing unit is not limited to the spring, and a gear or the like may be used. In addition, as the load increasing unit, a frictional force generation mechanism in which an electric actuator and a friction plate are combined may be used. The frictional force generation mechanism increases the frictional force in a direction opposite to the operation direction of the operation portion <NUM> in response to the displacement amount of the operation portion <NUM>, for example. It is needless to say that in a case in which the spring is used as in the present example, a configuration is simple as compared with a case in which such a frictional force generation mechanism is used.

<FIG> show an operation portion <NUM> according to a second modification example. The operation portion <NUM> includes a main shaft portion <NUM> extending from the base end side to the free end side, and a protruding portion <NUM> provided at the free end of the main shaft portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> includes a first protruding portion 72A and a second protruding portion 72B. The first protruding portion 72A and the second protruding portion 72B are integrally formed. The protruding portion <NUM> intersects an axis A of the main shaft portion <NUM> and is curved in a convex shape toward the base end side of the main shaft portion <NUM>.

The first protruding portion 72A protrudes to a lower side with the axis A of the main shaft portion <NUM> as a reference. The second protruding portion 72B protrudes to an upper side with the axis A of the main shaft portion <NUM> as a reference. The axis A represents an axial direction of the main shaft portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an aspect in which the operator displaces the operation portion <NUM> in the downward direction. As shown in <FIG>, the operator can rotate the operation portion <NUM> in a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered by pressing the first protruding portion 72A in the downward direction, for example. In addition, the operator can also rotate the operation portion <NUM> in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered by pressing the second protruding portion 72B in the downward direction.

<FIG> shows an aspect in which the operator displaces the operation portion <NUM> in the upward direction. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the operator can rotate the operation portion <NUM> in a direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised by pressing the second protruding portion 72B to the base end side of the main shaft portion <NUM>. In addition, the operator can also rotate the operation portion <NUM> in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> raised by pressing the first protruding portion 72A in the upward direction.

<FIG> show an operation portion 70A according to a third modification example. The operation portion 70A includes the main shaft portion <NUM> extending from the base end side to the free end side, and the protruding portion <NUM> provided at the free end of the main shaft portion <NUM>. In the present modification example, the protruding portion <NUM> has a hook shape that is curved in a convex toward the body portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) side of the mammography apparatus <NUM> (that is, the base end side of the main shaft portion <NUM>), and is joined to the main shaft portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> with the axis A as a reference.

As shown in <FIG>, the operator can rotate the operation portion 70A in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered by pressing a lower part of the protruding portion <NUM> in the downward direction, for example. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the operator can rotate the operation portion 70A in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised by pressing an upper part of the protruding portion <NUM> to the base end side of the main shaft portion <NUM>, for example.

<FIG> show an operation portion 70B according to a fourth modification example. The operation portion 70B includes the main shaft portion <NUM> extending from the base end side to the free end side, and the protruding portion <NUM> provided at the free end of the main shaft portion <NUM>. In the present modification example, the protruding portion <NUM> has a ring shape. The protruding portion <NUM> has an elliptical shape in which a long axis is parallel to the axis A of the main shaft portion <NUM>, for example. The protruding portion <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> with the axis A as a reference.

As shown in <FIG>, the operator can rotate the operation portion 70B in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is lowered by pressing the lower part of the protruding portion <NUM> in the downward direction, for example. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the operator can rotate the operation portion 70B in the direction in which the compression plate <NUM> is raised by pressing the upper part of the protruding portion <NUM> to the base end side of the main shaft portion <NUM>, for example.

Note that in the third modification example and the fourth modification example, the protruding portion <NUM> is provided on the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> with the axis A as a reference, but may be provided on the lower side with the axis A as a reference.

Next, an action and an effect of the protruding portion <NUM> described in the second to fourth modification examples will be described in detail. First, a situation is considered in which the protruding portion <NUM> is positioned on the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> and the operator extends the hand to the operation portion <NUM> from the free end side to perform the operation. Since both the main shaft portion <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> are a part of the operation portion <NUM>, it is possible to rotate the operation portion <NUM> about the fulcrum on the base end side by pressing any one of the main shaft portion <NUM> or the protruding portion <NUM>.

Then, in a case in which the operator disposes the hand from the free end side to the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> and presses the operation portion <NUM> in the downward direction from the upper side, the operation portion rotates in a first direction about the fulcrum. Similarly, in a case in which the operator disposes the hand from the free end side to the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> and presses the protruding portion <NUM> that protrudes to the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> to the base end side, it is possible to rotate the protruding portion <NUM> about the fulcrum. However, in this case, depending on a positional relationship between the protruding portion <NUM> and the fulcrum, it is possible to rotate a lever in a second direction opposite to the first direction by pressing the protruding portion <NUM>.

Stated another way, by providing the protruding portion <NUM> that protrudes to the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM>, the operator can generate rotation moment with respect to the operation portion in a direction opposite to that of a case in which the operation portion is pressed in the downward direction from the upper side without changing a position of the hand disposed on the upper side of the main shaft portion. The same effect can be obtained even in a case in which the protruding portion <NUM> is provided on the lower side of the main shaft portion <NUM> depending on the positional relationship with the fulcrum.

As a comparative example, it is assumed that the operation portion is configured by only the main shaft portion <NUM> without providing the protruding portion <NUM>. In the comparative example, in a case in which the operation portion rotates in the first direction, the operator can dispose the hand on the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> and press the upper side of the main shaft portion <NUM> in the downward direction to rotate the operation portion in the first direction. On the other hand, in a case in which the operation portion rotates in the second direction, the operator can dispose the hand on the lower side of the main shaft portion <NUM> and press the lower side of the main shaft portion <NUM> in the upward direction to rotate the operation portion in the second direction. However, in the comparative example, in a case in which the operator intends to change the rotation direction of the operation portion, it is necessary to change the position of the hand disposed on one of the upper side or the lower side of the main shaft portion <NUM>.

Therefore, by providing the protruding portion <NUM> on the main shaft portion <NUM> as described above, even in a case in which the operator cannot grip the operation portion <NUM> from both sides of the upper side and the lower side, the operator can rotate the operation portion <NUM> any one direction of the first direction or the second direction only by the pressing operation without changing the position of the hand disposed one of the upper side or the lower side of the main shaft portion <NUM> to the opposite side. As described above, by providing the protruding portion <NUM> on the main shaft portion <NUM>, the operability of the operation portion <NUM> is improved.

Since the operator of the mammography apparatus <NUM> is often restricted in the movement of the hand due to the positioning of the breast of the subject, a work such as gripping the operation portion <NUM> or changing the position of the hand between the upper side and the lower side across the main shaft portion <NUM> is difficult.

The effect of improving the operability of the operation portion <NUM> obtained by providing the protruding portion <NUM> on the main shaft portion <NUM> is significantly effective for the operator of the mammography apparatus <NUM> of which the movement of the hand is restricted. Further, the operation portion <NUM> is displaced along the vertical direction, which is the movement direction of the compression plate <NUM>. In such an operation portion <NUM>, it is significantly effective to improve the operability in the two directions of the upward direction and the downward direction by providing the protruding portion <NUM>.

In the embodiments described above and each modification example, the operation portion is provided on the movable portion. Therefore, the operation portion is moved together with the movable portion. An action and an effect of providing the operation portion on the movable portion will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, in a case in which the operator grips the operation portion <NUM> by the hand and displaces the operation portion <NUM> in the upward direction, the operation portion <NUM> is raised together with the movable portion <NUM>. In a case in which the movable portion <NUM> continues to be raised while the operator grips the operation portion <NUM> by the hand, there is a possibility that the hand comes into contact with the radiation source housing portion <NUM> provided above the body portion <NUM>, and the hand is interposed between the operation portion <NUM> and the radiation source housing portion <NUM>.

However, in a case in which the hand of the operator who grips the operation portion <NUM> comes into contact with the radiation source housing portion <NUM> while the movable portion <NUM> is raised, force acts in the downward direction from the radiation source housing portion <NUM>, so that the operation portion <NUM> is displaced in the downward direction. As a result, the movable portion <NUM> is lowered, so that the contact between the hand of the operator and the radiation source housing portion <NUM> is released. As described above, even in a case in which the hand of the operator comes into contact with the radiation source housing portion <NUM>, the contact is released in a short time, and the safety is improved.

As described above, by providing the operation portion <NUM> on the movable portion <NUM> and setting the displacement direction of the operation portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM> in the same direction, the safety is improved as well as the operability of the compression plate <NUM> is improved.

In the embodiments described above and each modification example, the operation portion is provided on the movable portion, but in an example not forming part of the present invention the operation portion may be provided in a place other than the movable portion.

<FIG> shows an example in which the operation portion <NUM> is provided on the body portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM> as a support portion. As in the first embodiment, the operation portion <NUM> includes the main shaft portion 40A and the grip portion 40B. In the present example, the main shaft portion 40A is bent in an L shape, and the base end side is rotatably connected to a side surface of the body portion <NUM>. The free end side of the main shaft portion 40A stretches toward the side of the subject who places the breast M on the imaging table <NUM>.

The operator can move the compression plate <NUM> in the vertical direction by displacing the grip portion 40B provided on the free end side of the main shaft portion 40A in the vertical direction. In <FIG>, the operation portion <NUM> is provided on a left side of the body portion <NUM> as viewed from a front side of the mammography apparatus <NUM>, but the operation portion <NUM> may be provided on a right side of the body portion <NUM> or may be provided on both the right and left sides.

Note that it is also possible to provide the operation portion shown in the second to fourth modification examples on the support portion.

In the embodiments described above and each modification example, various operation portions are shown, but the operation portion need only be a cantilever type lever having one end, which is the free end, and at least the free end need only be displaced along the movement direction of the compression plate. The displacement of the free end and the movement of the compression plate do not necessarily have to be in the same direction, and a form may be adopted in which the free end rotates and the compression plate is moved in a linear direction as described above.

In addition, a form may be adopted in which the operation portion does not rotate around the base end and is displaced in the linear direction in the vertical direction. In this case, the displacement direction of the operation portion completely coincides with the movement direction of the compression plate. In a case in which such an operation portion that is displaced in the linear direction is used, the displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection unit <NUM> described above corresponds to a slide movement amount, not the angle. In addition, the displacement speed detected by the displacement speed detection unit <NUM> corresponds to the speed, not the angular speed. In addition, although a form of the lever has been described as an example of the operation portion, for example, a slide type switch can be used as the operation portion. In this case, the switch need only be disposed such that a sliding direction of the switch and the movement direction of the compression plate coincide with each other.

In addition, although the stretching direction of the operation portion has been described with an example of the anteroposterior direction (corresponding to the depth direction) of the mammography apparatus <NUM>, a form may be adopted in which the stretching direction stretches in the width direction of the mammography apparatus <NUM>. Note that the lateral direction is a direction that intersects (for example, orthogonal to) the anteroposterior direction and the vertical direction. In addition, in a case of a form in which the stretching direction of the operation portion stretches in the lateral direction, it is preferable to provide two operation portions of a first operation portion that stretches in a right side of the subject and a second operation portion that stretches in a left side. The first operation portion and the second operation portion are provided on, for example, a right side surface and a left side surface of the movable portion <NUM>, respectively.

In addition, in the embodiments described above and each modification example, the drive mechanism <NUM> is configured by the actuator using the rod screw, but it can also be configured by a belt type actuator. Further, a mechanical manual type movement mechanism can be used instead of the drive mechanism <NUM>. The belt type actuator and the manual type movement mechanism are known, for example, in <CIT>.

In addition, each of the embodiments described above and each modification example can be combined with each other as long as there is no contradiction.

In each of the embodiments described above and each modification examples, the following various processors can be used as a hardware structure of the controller using the processor <NUM> as an example. Various processors described above include the CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions by executing a software (program), as well as a processor such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) of which a circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing. The FPGA includes a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration specially designed for executing a specific process such as a programmable logic device (PLD) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The controller may be configured by one of these various processors or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of the FPGAs, or a combination of the CPU and the FPGA). In addition, a plurality of the controllers may be configured by one processor.

There are a plurality of examples in which the plurality of controllers are configured by one processor. As a first example, as represented by a computer such as a client computer or a server, there is a form in which one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and the processor functions as the plurality of controllers. As a second example, as represented by a system on chip (SOC), there is a form in which the processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including the plurality of controllers by one IC chip is used. Thus, the controller can be configured by one or more of the various processors described above as the hardware structure.

Further, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined can be used.

The technology of the present disclosure can also be appropriately combined with the various embodiments described above and/or various modification examples. Further, it is needless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to each of the embodiments described above, various configurations can be adopted.

The contents described and shown above are the detailed description of the parts relating to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, the function, the action, and the effect are the description of examples of the configuration, the function, the action, and the effect of the parts relating to the technology of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A mammography apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an imaging table (<NUM>) on which a breast (M) of a subject is placed;
a compression plate (<NUM>) that compresses the breast, the compression plate (<NUM>) being disposed to face the imaging table (<NUM>) and being movable in a vertical direction with respect to the imaging table (<NUM>);
an operation portion (<NUM>) that is operated to move the compression plate (<NUM>), the operation portion (<NUM>) being provided separately from the compression plate (<NUM>) and being displaced along a movement direction of the compression plate (<NUM>), wherein an operation direction of the operation portion (<NUM>) and the movement direction of the compression plate (<NUM>) are substantially the same, wherein the operation portion (<NUM>) is a cantilever type lever having one end, which is a free end, and wherein at least the free end is displaced along the movement direction of the compression plate (<NUM>);
a support portion (<NUM>) that supports the compression plate (<NUM>) to be movable with respect to the imaging table (<NUM>); and a movable portion (<NUM>) that is disposed between the compression plate and the support portion and is moved in the vertical direction together with the compression plate, wherein the operation portion (<NUM>) is provided on the movable portion (<NUM>); and
an actuator (<NUM>) that drives the compression plate (<NUM>), wherein the actuator (<NUM>) is activated in response to an operation of the operation portion (<NUM>), and wherein the compression plate (<NUM>) is moved by driving force generated by the actuator (<NUM>).