JP2007135704A - Breast imaging apparatus and breast pressing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A breast image pickup apparatus and a breast pressing method capable of easily obtaining image information in the vicinity of a chest wall of a subject.
In a breast pressing method for a subject by a breast image pickup apparatus in which a medium for recording image information by receiving irradiation of radiation carrying image information is accommodated in an imaging base, the imaging base is used. The end of the pressing plate 28 having an acute angle with respect to 18 is moved to the chest wall of the subject, and the breast 27 as the subject is pressed to the imaging table 18 in the vertical direction to the target position, and then the pressing A breast pressing method is adopted in which the plate 28 is rotated until it is parallel to the imaging table 18 so that the breast 27 is spread and held on the imaging table 18. According to the breast pressing method of the present invention, the chest wall of the subject can be easily fixed on the imaging table 18, and the wide area of the breast 27 can be the subject.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a breast image capturing apparatus that captures a radiation image of a breast, and more particularly to a breast pressing method.

  Today, in radiography for medical diagnosis and the like, the charge obtained by detecting radiation is temporarily stored in the power storage unit of the solid state detection element, and the stored charge is converted into an image signal representing radiation image information and output. Various radiation solid state detectors have been proposed and put into practical use. For example, from the aspect of the charge generation process for converting radiation into electric charge, two methods, an indirect conversion type solid state detector and a direct conversion type solid state detector, have been proposed, and the accumulated charge is read out to the outside. From the aspect of the charge reading process, two methods, a TFT (thin film transistor) reading method and an optical reading method have been proposed.

  The indirect conversion type radiation solid state detector is, for example, a solid state detection unit (image reading unit) in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements (solid state detection elements) are formed in a matrix on an insulating substrate, and formed on the solid state detection unit. The signal charge obtained by detecting the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor when irradiated with radiation by the photoelectric conversion element is temporarily stored in the storage part of the photoelectric conversion element. Electric charges are converted into image signals (electrical signals) and output (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The direct conversion type radiation solid state detector is, for example, a large number of charge collecting electrodes formed in a matrix on an insulating substrate and radiation information when irradiated with radiation formed on the charge collecting electrodes. The solid-state detection unit is formed by laminating a radiation conductor that generates a charge to be carried. The signal charge generated in the radiation conductor when irradiated with radiation is collected by a charge collection electrode and temporarily stored in a power storage unit. The accumulated charge is converted into an electrical signal and output (for example, Patent Document 2). The solid state detection element in this system has a charge collecting electrode and a radiation conductor as main parts.

  The TFT readout method is a method in which the signal charge accumulated in the power storage unit of the solid state detection element is read by scanning the TFT connected to the power storage unit, and the light readout method is the reading light to the solid state detection element. This is a method of reading by irradiating (reading electromagnetic waves).

  The image signals output from the various types of radiation solid-state detectors are output to the outside, and after being subjected to various signal processing by a subsequent signal processing apparatus, are output as visible information or the like by output means such as a CRT. Thus, by using a radiation solid state detector, an image signal representing a radiographic image of a subject can be obtained in real time and immediately output as a visible image or the like.

  Further, the present applicant has proposed an improved direct conversion radiation solid state detector in Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and the like. The improved direct conversion type radiation solid state detector is a direct conversion type and optical readout type, and is a first conductor layer having transparency to recording radiation, the first conductor. The recording photoconductive layer that exhibits photoconductivity (exactly radiation conductivity) by being irradiated with the recording radiation that has passed through the layer has a charge of the same polarity as the charge charged on the first conductor layer. On the other hand, it acts as a substantially insulator, and a charge transport layer that acts as a conductor for charges having a polarity opposite to that of the charge. A recording photoconductive layer and a charge transport layer, which are formed by laminating a reading photoconductive layer exhibiting (electromagnetic conductivity) and a second conductive layer transparent to the reading electromagnetic wave in this order. Signal charge (latent image charge) carrying image information at the interface (storage part) with It is intended to accumulate. The first conductor layer and the second conductor layer function as electrodes. The solid-state detection element in this system has a recording photoconductive layer, a charge transport layer, and a reading photoconductive layer as main parts.

  In addition, when taking a radiographic image using the above-described various types of radiation solid-state detectors and reading out the accumulated charges in the detector to obtain an image signal, in order to obtain the image signal at a higher speed, For each line, it is common to read out stored charges of each element (part or all) of the line in parallel. Such a method is hereinafter referred to as a line reading method.

  Currently, an image capturing apparatus for breasts has been devised that uses the solid-state detector described above as an imaging device to capture a radiation image of a breast.

In this breast imaging apparatus, a subject's breast is placed on an imaging table in which a solid state detector and a reading light source or a stimulable phosphor panel, an excitation light source and a sensor are arranged in a housing, After pressing and holding the imaging table from above with a pressing plate to press, radiation is emitted from the upper part of the breast to obtain a radiation image of the breast. In this apparatus, an image of the subject's chest wall as much as possible is obtained. It is required that information can be acquired.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-164067 JP-A-01-216290 JP 2000-105297 A JP 2000-162726 A

  In the conventional breast pressing method, the pressing plate is moved in parallel with the imaging table, and therefore image information on the chest wall of the subject cannot be acquired sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a breast image capturing apparatus and a breast pressing method capable of easily obtaining image information on the chest wall of a subject.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging system for breasts in which a medium for recording the image information by receiving irradiation of radiation carrying the image information is accommodated inside the imaging table. In the subject's breast pressing method by the apparatus, the pressing plate is placed in a direction in which one end of the pressing plate to be brought into contact with the chest wall of the subject is closer to the imaging table than the other end far from the subject. The other end portion is pushed until the pressing plate is parallel to the imaging table, and the breast of the subject is pressed by moving the pressing plate in a direction approaching the imaging table. It is rotated, and the breast is pushed and held on the imaging table.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the chest wall of the subject can be easily fixed on the imaging table, and a wide area of the breast can be used as a subject.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast imaging apparatus, wherein a radiation source for irradiating radiation, an imaging table on which a subject's breast is placed, and the radiation source and the imaging table are arranged to face each other. An arm for receiving the radiation, and a medium for recording image information by receiving radiation, and the breast placed on the imaging table and disposed opposite to the imaging table A pressing plate for pressing the pressing plate, a pressing plate angle changing means for supporting the pressing plate so that an inclination angle of the pressing plate with respect to the imaging table can be changed, and a first moving the pressing plate in a direction approaching the chest wall of the subject. And a second moving means for moving the pressing plate in a direction perpendicular to the photographing table.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the breast pressing method described in claim 1 can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 3 is an aspect of the breast imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressing plate angle changing means includes a supporting member that rotatably supports the pressing plate, and the supporting member. And an electric drive means for generating power for rotating the pressing plate supported by the motor.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation control of the pressing plate can be easily performed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is an aspect of the breast imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first moving means includes a pedestal holding the support member, and the support for the pedestal. And a support member moving mechanism for movably connecting the members.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the movement control (first movement control) in the direction in which the pressing plate is brought close to the chest of the subject can be easily performed.

  The invention according to claim 5 is an aspect of the breast imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pedestal is held by the arm, and the second moving means is A pedestal moving mechanism for movably connecting the pedestals is included.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform control (second movement control) for moving the pressing plate in a direction perpendicular to the imaging table.

  According to the breast imaging apparatus and the breast pressing method according to the present invention, the chest wall of the subject is pressed by the end of the pressing plate having an acute angle in the opposite direction to the subject with respect to the imaging table, and the pressing plate takes an image. The subject's chest wall is spread out by rotating so as to be parallel to the table, so that the subject's chest wall can be securely fixed on the imaging table, and as a result, image information on the subject's chest wall can be easily obtained. Can do.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a breast imaging apparatus according to the present invention. In this breast imaging apparatus 10, a radiation source storage unit 14 that stores therein a radiation source 12 (for example, an X-ray source) and an imaging table 18 that stores therein a solid state detector 40 and the like face each other. The arm 20 is connected to the base 22 and the arm 20 is attached to the base 22. In addition, since the arm 20 is attached to the base 22 via the bearing 24, it can perform rotational movement. Further, a pedestal 26 that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the arm 20 is attached to the arm 20, and a pressing plate 28 that presses and holds a breast 27 on the imaging table 18 from above and presses the pedestal 26. A plate support 30 is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of the pressing plate 28 and the imaging stand 18 of the breast image pickup apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the pressing plate 28 is connected to the pressing plate support 30 (“support member”) via a motor 32 (corresponding to “pressing plate angle changing means” and “electric drive means”) provided with an angle sensor. It is possible to perform rotational movement and angle control with respect to the imaging table 18. The pressing plate support 30 is connected to the pedestal 26 via a motor 34 provided with a position sensor, whereby the moving movement and position control of the pressing plate 28 in the direction of arrow A are performed.

  Further, the pedestal 26 is connected to the arm 20 (not shown in FIG. 2, refer to FIG. 1) via a motor 36 having a position sensor. By the vertical movement of the pedestal 26, the direction of the arrow B in FIG. The movement and position control of the pressing plate 28 in the direction perpendicular to the table 18 are performed.

  That is, the moving mechanism of the pressing plate support 30 by the motor 34 having the position sensor in this example corresponds to the “first moving means” and the “supporting member moving mechanism” of the present invention. The moving mechanism of the pedestal 26 by the motor 36 provided corresponds to the “second moving means” and the “pedestal moving mechanism” of the present invention.

  The angle control and position control method of the pressing plate 28 is preferably electric control by a computer, but may be manual control such as a lever.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a method for controlling the angle and position of the pressing plate 28 with respect to the imaging table 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor information of the motor 32 having the angle sensor and the motors 34 and 36 having the position sensor is taken into the detection circuit 37 as current change information, and digitally converted by A / D conversion. It becomes. The digitized detection information is taken into the CPU 38, and the output information is controlled by the CPU 38 changing the parameters. The output from the CPU 38 is D / A converted and amplified by the operational amplifier 39, so that it is transmitted to the respective motors 34 and 36 as analog information, which becomes a driving force.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the inside of the photographing stand 18. As shown in the figure, a solid state detector 40 that receives irradiation of radiation carrying image information, records this image information, and outputs an image signal representing the recorded image information, inside the imaging stand 18. A reading exposure light source unit 50 used when reading radiation image information recorded in the solid state detector 40, a reading exposure light source unit moving means 55 for moving the reading exposure light source unit 50 in the sub-scanning direction, and reading Current detecting means 70 for obtaining an image signal by detecting a current flowing out from the solid state detector 40 at the time of scanning exposure to the solid state detector 40 by the exposure light source unit 50, and a high voltage power source for applying a predetermined voltage to the solid state detector 40 Unit 80, a pre-exposure light source unit 90 that irradiates the solid detector 40 with pre-exposure light before the start of imaging, and a direction in which the solid detector 40 is brought close to the chest wall 29 of the subject within the imaging table 18 and away from the chest wall 29. A solid-state detector moving means 60 that moves in the direction (sub-scanning direction described above), a reading exposure light source section 90, a current detection means 70, a high-voltage power supply section 80, and a control means 100 that controls the moving means 55 and 60; Is arranged.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a solid state detector 40 used in this apparatus. The solid state detector 40 is a direct conversion type and optical readout type radiation solid state detector, which records the image information as an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the recording light carrying the image information. A current corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is generated by scanning.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the solid state detector 40 is formed on a glass substrate 47, and includes a first conductive layer 41 having transparency to radiation transmitted through the breast 27 (hereinafter referred to as recording light), a recording The photoconductive layer 42 which generates electric charge by receiving light irradiation and acts as an insulator for the latent image polarity charge charged in the first conductive layer 41 and the latent image polarity. A charge transport layer 44 that acts as a substantially conductive material for a transport polarity charge having a polarity opposite to that of the charge, a reading photoconductive layer 45 that generates conductivity by receiving irradiation of reading light, and exhibits conductivity. The second conductive layer 46 having transparency is laminated in this order. A power storage unit 43 is formed at the interface between the recording photoconductive layer 42 and the charge transport layer 44.

  Each of the first conductive layer 41 and the second conductive layer 46 forms an electrode. The electrode of the first conductive layer 41 is a two-dimensional flat plate electrode, and the electrode of the second conductive layer 46 is a hatched line in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 4, a large number of elements (linear electrodes) 46a for detecting recorded image information as image signals are formed as stripe electrodes arranged in a stripe shape at a pixel pitch (for example, JP-A-2000-2000). (See the electrostatic recording material described in Japanese Patent No. 105297). The arrangement direction of the elements 46a corresponds to the main scanning direction, and the longitudinal direction of the elements 46a corresponds to the sub scanning direction.

  The size of the solid state detector 40 is 24 cm long × 18 cm short, and is housed in the imaging table 18 so that the long side direction is the main scanning direction and the short side direction is the sub scanning direction.

  The reading exposure light source unit 50 includes a line light source configured by arranging a plurality of LED chips in a row and an optical system that linearly irradiates light output from the light source on the solid state detector 40. Is used. The light source unit 50 is scanned in the longitudinal direction of the stripe electrode 46a of the solid state detector 40, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, by the moving means 55 (see FIG. 4) made of a linear motor while keeping the necessary distance from the solid state detector 40. Thus, the entire surface of the solid detector 40 is exposed. The reading exposure light source unit 50 and the moving unit 55 constitute a reading light scanning unit.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the connection mode of the solid state detector 10 and the current detection means 30. Each element 46 a of the solid state detector 40 is connected to a charge amplifier IC 73 through a print pattern (not shown) formed on a TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) film 72, and the charge amplifier IC 73 is further formed on the TAB film 72. The printed circuit board 71 is connected via a printed pattern (not shown). In the present embodiment, not all the elements 46a are connected to one charge amplifier IC 73, but a few to several tens of charge amplifier ICs 73 are provided as a whole, and several to about a hundred adjacent elements are sequentially provided. Each 46a is connected to each charge amplifier IC73. The current detection means 70 is not limited to the above-described mode, and a mode called COG (Chip On Glass) in which the charge amplifier IC 73 is not formed on the TAB film 72 but formed on the glass substrate. It is good.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the details of the current detection means 70 and the high voltage power supply unit 80 provided in the imaging stand 18 and the connection mode between them and the solid state detector 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the high voltage power supply unit 80 is a circuit in which a high voltage power supply 81 and a bias switching means 82 are integrated. The high voltage power supply 81 is temporarily connected to the electrostatic recording unit (solid state detector 40). ) Is connected to the electrostatic recording unit (solid state detector 40) via bias switching means 82 for switching such as bias application / short circuit to. This circuit is designed to prevent an excessive charge / discharge current in order to limit the peak value of the current flowing at the time of switching and prevent the destruction of the location where the current of the device is concentrated.

  The charge amplifier IC 73 provided on the TAB film 72 multi-signals from a large number of charge amplifiers 73a and sample hold (S / H) 73b connected to each element 46a of the solid state detector 40, and each sample hold 73b. A multiplexer 73c for multiplexing is provided. The current flowing out of the solid state detector 40 is converted into a voltage by each charge amplifier 73a, the voltage is sampled and held at a predetermined timing by the sample hold 73b, and the voltage corresponding to each element 46a sampled and held is in the order of arrangement of the elements 46a. The signals are sequentially output from the multiplexer 73c so as to be switched (corresponding to a part of main scanning). The signals sequentially output from the multiplexer 73c are input to the multiplexer 71c provided on the printed circuit board 71. Further, the voltage corresponding to each element 46a is sequentially output from the multiplexer 71c so as to be switched in the arrangement order of the elements 46a, and the main scanning is completed. To do. The signals sequentially output from the multiplexer 71c are converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 71a, and the digital signals are stored in the memory 71b.

  The pre-exposure light source unit 90 described with reference to FIG. 4 requires a light source that emits and extinguishes light in a short time and has a very small afterglow. In this embodiment, an external electrode type rare gas fluorescent lamp is used. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the pre-exposure light source unit 90 is inserted between a plurality of external electrode type rare gas fluorescent lamps 91 extending in the depth direction of the paper surface in the figure, and between the fluorescent lamps 91 and the solid state detector 40. The wavelength selection filter 92 is provided, and a reflection plate 93 disposed behind the fluorescent lamp 91 for efficiently reflecting the light output from the fluorescent lamp 91 toward the solid state detector 40. Note that the pre-exposure light may be applied to the entire second electrode layer 46 of the solid state detector 40, and no light condensing means is required, but the illuminance distribution is preferably small. As the light source, for example, an LED chip arranged in a plane can be used instead of the fluorescent lamp.

  When the electrostatic latent image is read from the solid state detector 40, basically all the accumulated latent image charges can be read out. However, in some cases, the latent image charges cannot be completely read out. 40 may be left unread as a residual charge. Further, when an electrostatic latent image is recorded on the solid state detector 40, a high voltage is applied to the solid state detector 40 before the recording light is irradiated. Current charge) is also accumulated in the solid state detector 40. Further, it is known that various charges are accumulated in the solid state detector 40 before the recording light irradiation due to causes other than these. Unnecessary charges such as residual charges and dark current charges that are accumulated before the recording light irradiation is added to the charges that carry the image information that is accumulated by irradiating the recording light. When the electrostatic latent image is read from the detector 40, the output signal includes a signal component due to unnecessary charges in addition to the signal based on the charge carrying the image information, and the afterimage phenomenon, S / N degradation, etc. Cause problems.

The pre-exposure is for erasing unnecessary charges accumulated in the solid state detector 40 before irradiating the recording light to the solid state detector 40 to solve problems such as afterimage phenomenon and S / N deterioration. .
The moving means 60 is constituted by a linear motor (not shown) and reciprocates the solid state detector 40 between the photographing position and the reading position.

Next, the operation of the breast imaging apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of a breast pressing method by the breast image capturing apparatus 10.
When the subject's breast 27 is pressed, the end of the pressing plate 28 having a predetermined angle (acute angle) θ in the forward direction of the subject with reference to the imaging table 18 as described with reference to FIG. It is made to contact | abut to a chest wall part (step S10 of FIG. 8). In contact with the end of the pressing plate 28, movement control is performed using motors 34 and 36 (see FIG. 3) provided with position sensors. Further, the chest wall portion used in the text means the base portion (boundary portion) of the breast 27, and the position of the chest wall portion varies depending on the subject.

  Next, the end of the pressing plate 28 brought into contact with the chest wall of the subject is controlled to move the pedestal 26 so that the breast 27 is pressed to the target depth in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2). (Step S12 in FIG. 8). After pressing to the target depth, the position of the end of the pressing plate 28 is controlled by the motor 34 equipped with a position sensor so that the position of the end of the pressing plate 28 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the imaging base (direction of arrow A) is equal to the end of the imaging base 18. It is preferable that the control is not performed. In addition, the target depth used in the text means a pressing depth at which the pressed breast 27 is not shaken on the imaging table 18, and this state confirms the state of the subject (the breast 27) by the engineers. Is temporary. Therefore, the value of the target depth varies depending on the subject.

  Thus, the state of the subject is confirmed, and if it is NG, the process returns to step S10 and the operations of steps S10 to S12 are repeated. If it is confirmed in step S12 that the state of the subject is OK, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the pressure plate 28 is rotated by using a motor 32 with an angle sensor (see FIG. 3) so that the pressure plate 28 is parallel to the photographing table 18, and the subject 27 is spread on the photographing table 18. . After that, the breast 27 as the subject is further pressed to the photographing depth by the pressing plate 28 by the motor 36 with the position sensor and held. The rotation and pressing operations by the pressing plate 28 are preferably separate, but may be performed simultaneously. The imaging depth used in the text means a state in which the breast 27 as a subject is pressed as much as possible with the pressing plate 28, and X-rays are irradiated in this state. Therefore, the value of the imaging depth differs depending on the subject.

  When the subject is pressed in step S14, the state of the subject is confirmed. If it is NG, the process returns to step S10 or S12, and the operations of steps S10 to S14 (or S12 to S14) are repeated. If it is confirmed in step S14 that the state of the subject is OK, X-rays are irradiated in this state, and imaging is performed (step S16).

  FIG. 9 shows a state diagram when the subject (breast 27) is held at the photographing depth.

  When the breast pressing method according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is performed, the subject's chest wall 29 can be reliably fixed on the imaging table 18, so that image information on the subject's chest wall 29, which is the subject, can be easily obtained. it can.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the breast imaging apparatus in which the radiation source and the imaging stand are integrally configured as described above, but also used in imaging for breasts. It may correspond to.

1 is a schematic diagram of a breast imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side view of the pressing plate and imaging stand of the breast imaging apparatus The block diagram which showed the control method of the angle and position with respect to the imaging stand of the said press plate Schematic view of the inside of the imaging table of the breast imaging apparatus Schematic diagram of the solid state detector of the breast imaging apparatus The figure which showed the connection aspect of the solid state detector of the said breast imaging device, and an electric current detection means The block diagram which showed the detail of the electric current detection means and high-voltage power supply part of the said breast imaging device, and the connection aspect of these and a solid state detector A flowchart showing a method of a breast pressing method by the breast imaging apparatus State diagram when a subject is held in the breast imaging apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image pick-up device for breasts, 12 ... Radiation source, 18 ... Imaging stand, 20 ... Arm, 26 ... Base, 27 ... Breast, 28 ... Pressing plate, 29 ... Chest wall, 30 ... Pressing plate support part, 32 ... Angle sensor , A motor with a position sensor, 37 a detection circuit, 38 a CPU, 39 an operational amplifier, 40 a solid state detector, 50 an exposure light source unit for reading, 70 a current detection means, 80 ... High voltage power supply, 90 ... Pre-exposure light source

Claims (5)

In the breast pressing method of the subject by the breast imaging apparatus in which the medium for recording the image information by receiving the radiation carrying the image information is stored inside the imaging table.
Tilting the pressing plate with respect to the imaging table in a direction in which one end of the pressing plate to be brought into contact with the chest wall of the subject is closer to the imaging table than the other end far from the subject,
Pressing the breast of the subject by moving the pressing plate in a direction closer to the imaging table;
Then, rotate the other end until the pressing plate is parallel to the imaging table,
A breast pressing method, wherein the breast is pressed and held on the imaging table. A radiation source for irradiating radiation;
An imaging table on which the subject's breast is placed;
An arm for disposing the radiation source and the imaging table opposite to each other;
A medium that is housed in the imaging table and receives image radiation to record image information;
A pressing plate that is arranged opposite to the imaging table and presses the breast placed on the imaging table;
A pressing plate angle changing means for supporting the pressing plate so that an inclination angle of the pressing plate with respect to the photographing table can be changed;
First moving means for moving the pressing plate in a direction approaching the chest wall of the subject;
Second moving means for moving the pressing plate in a direction perpendicular to the imaging table;
A breast image pickup apparatus comprising: The pressing plate angle changing means includes a supporting member that rotatably supports the pressing plate;
Electric drive means for generating power for rotating the pressing plate supported by the support member;
The breast imaging apparatus according to claim 2, comprising: The first moving means includes a pedestal that holds the support member;
A support member moving mechanism for movably connecting the support member to the pedestal;
The breast imaging apparatus according to claim 3, comprising: The pedestal is held by the arm;
The breast imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second moving unit includes a pedestal moving mechanism that movably connects the pedestal to the arm.

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