Mammography system for recording an x-ray recording dataset, comprising an interrupt unit, and a method therefor
One or more example embodiments of the present invention relates to a mammography system for recording an X-ray recording dataset of a region of interest of a breast of an examinee, comprising a compression unit for fixing the breast for the recording; and an interrupt unit triggerable by the examinee and connected to the compression unit and an X-ray source, the interrupt unit being configured to release the fixation and to stop the X-ray radiation.
1 . A mammography system for recording an X-ray recording dataset of a region of interest of a breast of an examinee, comprising:
a compression unit including at least one of a compression plate, an air cushion, a tape, or an adhesive tape, the compression unit configured to compress and fix the breast against a detector surface for recording;
a motion unit including a rotary element configured to move an X-ray source; and
an interrupt unit connected to the motion unit, the interrupt unit including at least one actuator, the at least one actuator configured to obtain a trigger request from the examinee, the interrupt unit connected to the compression unit and the X-ray source, the interrupt unit being configured to release fixation of the breast, cause movement of the motion unit and the x-ray source to stop, and stop X-ray radiation from the X-ray source upon obtaining the trigger request.
2 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the motion unit comprises a switch unit configured to cause stopping of movement upon activation of a switch or a controllable brake which is activated when the interrupt unit is triggered.
3 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the compression unit comprises at least one of, a motor configured to perform continuous or incremental release, or an abruptly releasable connection.
4 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the interrupt unit is hard-wired or wirelessly connected to a controller configured to cause operation of at least one of the X-ray source, the compression unit or the motion unit.
5 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the interrupt unit comprises a two-stage pressure switch configured to prevent triggering of the interrupt unit by a single touch to protect against inadvertent triggering.
6 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein
the interrupt unit is configured to be disabled for a specified period of time to prevent a release of the breast during an interventional procedure.
7 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the interrupt unit is triggerable by a user.
8 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the interrupt unit is connected to a mammography system controller such that the interrupt unit is automatically triggered if a system fault is detected.
9 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the mammography system is configured to record at least one of a full-field digital mammogram (FFDM) or a tomosynthesis.
10 . The mammography system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a support configured to prevent the examinee from falling when the interrupt unit is triggered.
11 . The mammography system of claim 1 , wherein the compression unit comprises at least one of, a motor configured to perform continuous or incremental release, or an abruptly releasable connection.
12 . The mammography system of claim 11 , wherein the interrupt unit is hard-wired or wirelessly connected to a control unit of at least one of the X-ray source, the compression unit or the motion unit.
13 . The mammography system of claim 12 , wherein the interrupt unit comprises a two-stage pressure switch configured to prevent triggering of the interrupt unit by a single touch to protect against inadvertent triggering.
14 . The mammography system of claim 13 , wherein
the interrupt unit is configured to be disabled for a specified period of time to prevent a release of the breast during an interventional procedure.
15 . A method for aborting a recording of an X-ray recording dataset of a region of interest of a breast of an examinee by a mammography system, wherein a compression unit includes at least one of a compression plate, an air cushion, a tape, or an adhesive tape, the compression unit is configured to cause a fixation of the breast against a detector surface of an X-ray detector, the method comprising:
triggering of an interrupt unit including at least one input interface configured to obtain a trigger request from an examinee, the interrupt unit being connected to the compression unit and an X-ray source;
releasing, by the interrupt unit, the fixation upon obtaining the trigger request; and
stopping movement of the X-ray source and stopping X-ray radiation upon obtaining the trigger request.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein a partial recording dataset obtained prior to the releasing and the stopping is made available as an X-ray recording dataset or as a basis for a repeat recording.
17 . A non-transitory computer program product comprising a computer program, when executed by a controller of a mammography system, the controller having at least one memory device, cause the mammography system to perform the method of claim 15 .
18 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program sections, when executed by a controller of a mammography system, the controller having at least one memory device, cause the mammography system to perform the method of claim 15 .