A seat adapted for use with a mammography apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast of a patient. The seat includes an x-ray source and an x-ray detector for imaging the breast, and is provided to the mammography apparatus to enable the patient to sit during imaging. The seat is tiltable between at least two positions: a first position in which the seat is level with the horizon; and a second position in which the seat is tilted obliquely sideways with reference to the horizon. The seat may compress the breast during x-ray imaging of the breast with the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

A radiological imaging system includes a gantry that defines an analysis zone, a source housed within the gantry, and a detector housed within the gantry. A part of a patient is placed in the analysis zone. The source emits radiation that passes through the part of the patient; the detector receives the radiation. The system is configured to receive the patient alternatively in at least two of the following arrangements: having a stationary bed and a translatable gantry, having a bed with a table top that translates through the analysis zone along a main direction, and accepting the patient in a seating or reclining apparatus.

Three dimensional x-ray imaging systems are described in this application. In particular, this application describes a 3D dental intra-oral imaging (3DIO) system that collects a series of 2D image projections. The x-ray imaging system comprises a housing, an x-ray source attached to a articulating or motion gantry configured to move the source within the housing to multiple positions, an x-ray detector array located on an opposite side of an object to be imaged from the x-ray source, where the detector array is synchronized with the x-ray source to capture 2D images of the object when the x-ray source is located in multiple imaging positions, and a processor configured to accept the 2D images and reconstruct a 3D image. The multiple imaging positions can be located on a plane substantially parallel to the x-ray detector array. Other embodiments are described.

The present invention relates to ergonomic supports in medical environment. In order to provide improved ergonomic support while providing a minimum impact of the user's activities, an ergonomic support device (10) for users in medical environment is provided. The support device comprises a seating support arrangement (14), an X-ray shielding arrangement (18) and a base support structure (12). The base support structure provides mechanical support for the seating support arrangement and the X-ray shielding arrangement. The seating support arrangement comprises a seat support surface (16) that is configured for supporting a buttocks area of a user. The X-ray shielding arrangement comprises at least one X-ray shield (20) that is configured for shielding at least a part of an X-ray radiation to which a user is exposed to while supported by the support surface. The at least one X-ray shield is movably mounted to the base support structure to be adjustable in its position relative to a user at least partly resting on the seat support surface.

A method of performing a radiological biopsy and associated system includes scanning a living human subject with a CT scanner to locate coordinates of an area of potential pathology and then using the coordinates to direct synchrotron radiation to a location at, or proximate the coordinates to obtain a high-resolution image of the area of potential pathology. The CT scan is accomplished with a CT scanner such as a C-Arm, vertical or horizontal CT scanner. A synchrotron radiation source emits synchrotron radiation through the subject and is processed by a processing system. The method and system allow for concurrent or sequential scanning of the subject by the CT scanner and synchrotron radiation scanner. The resulting images provide histological resolution of areas of potential pathology.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray detection unit for a wheelchair includes a container and an attachment portion coupled with the container. The container is configured to contain a flat X-ray detector. The attachment portion is configured to be detachably mounted to a part of the wheelchair in which a subject is seated, so that a detection plane of the X-ray detector in the container faces the subject.

An imaging system constituted of: an imager; an imager translation mechanism arranged to translate the imager along a predetermined translation axis in each of a first direction and a second direction responsive to a provided electrical power, the second direction opposing the first direction, the predetermined translation axis exhibiting an imaging angle with a floor, the first direction being toward the floor along the translation axis, the imaging angle being less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees; a piston translation mechanism; and a piston power mechanism arranged to provide motive power to the piston translation mechanism, wherein the piston translation mechanism is arranged to translate the imager in the second direction responsive to the provided motive power in the absence of the provided electrical power.

The invention concerns an extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining a radiographic image of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a support frame, a gantry that supports an x-ray source and at least one x-ray sensor in correspondence with the x-ray source, the gantry being movable relative to the support frame, wherein the apparatus further comprises a seat arrangement that is connected to the support frame and that is movable between at least two distinct positions: a working position in which the seat arrangement is located in a working area under the gantry, at least one rest position in which the seat arrangement is located away from the working area so as to leave clear the working area under the gantry.

A weightbearing simulation assembly includes a substrate comprising a mounting surface extending in a first direction a subject support disposed on a first region of the mounting surface and a pedal assembly disposed on a second region of the mounting surface. The pedal assembly includes a spring assembly including a contact plate facing the subject support, a compression plate, and a first spring disposed between the contact plate and the compression plate. A subject applies a compressive force to the contact plate in a compression direction to simulate a load-bearing condition by compressing the first spring. An orientation of the pedal assembly may be adjusted to change a relative angle between the compression direction and the first direction to alter an imaging angle.

The present invention relates to ergonomic supports in medical environment. In order to provide improved ergonomic support while providing a minimum impact of the user's activities, an ergonomic support device (10) for users in medical environment is provided. The support device comprises a seating support arrangement (14), an X-ray shielding arrangement (18) and a base support structure (12). The base support structure provides mechanical support for the seating support arrangement and the X-ray shielding arrangement. The seating support arrangement comprises a seat support surface (16) that is configured for supporting a buttocks area of a user. The X-ray shielding arrangement comprises at least one X-ray shield (20) that is configured for shielding at least a part of an X-ray radiation to which a user is exposed to while supported by the support surface. The at least one X-ray shield is movably mounted to the base support structure to be adjustable in its position relative to a user at least partly resting on the seat support surface.