The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 29, 1994
GE Medical Systems SA, Buc, FR;
Abstract
A mammograph is disclosed which includes: a positioning device defining a rotation axis, the positioning device including: an arm .beta..sub.2 ; breast support plate connected to the arm .beta..sub.2 ; a movement device connected to the arm .beta..sub.2 ; and a digital detector connected to the movement device, the digital detector having a detection surface defining a plane .pi.; an arm .beta..sub.1 pivotally connected to the positioning device for pivotally rotating said arm .beta..sub.1 around said rotation axis, the arm .beta..sub.1 having an end; and an X-ray tube movably attached to the end of the arm .beta..sub.1, the X-ray tube defining a beam axis .delta. and being pivotable about the rotation axis so as to move in a first direction that is orthogonal with the rotation axis and direct an X-ray beam, emitted by the X-ray tube, along the beam axis .delta.. Pivoting the X-ray tube within an angle .+-..alpha. causes the movement device to move the digital detector laterally within the plane .pi. along a second direction that is perpendicular to the rotation axis and opposite the first direction so as to accommodate a position of the X-ray tube within the angle .+-..alpha. and define a volume of a breast stereotaxically accessible by the X-ray beam as a polyhedron having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface meeting and being defined by an intersection of the beam axis .delta. at an angle .+-..alpha. with the beam axis .delta. at an angle -.alpha., the X-ray beam being entirely incident the digital detector as the movement device moves the digital detector to accommodate pivotal movement of the X-ray tube.