Breast locating means with sample container for an instrument for examining a female breast

US7881427B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MIR Medical Imaging Research Holding GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Willi Kalender · Kleinseebach, DE
• Harry Schilling · Eichstätt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/30096
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An X-ray machine, which in one embodiment is based on a spiral CT scanner, is used for examining a breast of a female patient. The X-ray machine has a gantry, which is adapted for rotation about a rotational axis, and simultaneously, for movement in a direction parallel to the rotational axis. A cylindrical imaging region is scanned along a spiraling path provided by the gantry. The patient is positioned so that a breast to be examined projects into the imaging region. A sample receptacle located in the imaging region is adapted to accommodate a tissue sample and/or a reference material. A range of movement of the gantry is dimensioned, so that the breast and/or the contents of the sample receptacle can be imaged with the gantry.