FR2979219A1 - ULTRA-PORTABLE MAMMOGRAPHY AND TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for mammography or tomosynthesis, adapted for - firstly having an extended position adapted for the normal operation of the apparatus, and - secondly having a retracted position for storage and or for transporting the apparatus, characterized in that it is ultra-portable in the retracted position and comprises an outer shell (10) for storing and / or transporting and / or protecting the apparatus (1). ) in the retracted position.

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mammography or tomosynthesis apparatus, adapted on the one hand to have an extended position adapted for the normal operation of the apparatus, and on the other hand to have a retracted position for storage and / or or for transporting the device. STATE OF THE ART As shown in FIG. 1, mammography apparatuses are known. Such a mammography apparatus makes it possible to obtain medical images in two dimensions, in particular by X-ray radiography. For this purpose, such a known apparatus 1 conventionally comprises at least one X-ray source 2, comprising a transmitter tube 21. X-ray, and - a desk 3, disposed opposite said source 2, and for receiving and supporting the breast (not shown) of a patient. The desk 3 conventionally includes a substantially transparent or slightly X-ray-reducing support 30 for the patient's breast, and incorporates a detector 31 for X-ray detection after they have passed through the patient's breast. The detector 31 may conventionally be a sensor array or an X-ray film cassette, or any other X-ray detector known to those skilled in the art. The console 3 and the X-ray source 2 are carried by a common column 5 which can have a deflection of an angle α about an axis A-A ', central with respect to the desk 3 and the source 2, to scan different angles of view desired for mammography. In order to take into account the different patient sizes, the column 5 is slidably mounted in a mast 6. The column 5 can thus rise or fall by a distance θ in the mast 6.

The apparatus 1 also comprises conventionally a compression plate 4, also called "pelota" by the skilled person, able to compress the breast against the console 3 when taking pictures. The plate 4 is connected to a carriage 7 mounted in translation on the column 5 in a rail 8. The displacement of the carriage 7 in the rail 8 can be motorized or carried out manually, for example by means of knurls 71. Figure 1 is relatively heavy (several hundred kg, typically 250kg) and is usually fixed in a facility dedicated to mammography. It can however be described as "mobile", and in this case be placed in a van or bus dedicated to mammography, also comprising a patient reception area, a dressing room for the undressing and dressing of patients, and a analysis room images obtained through the device. In this case, the device is fixed in the van or the dedicated bus, the van or bus being mobile and able to move in remote areas for breast cancer screening, for example. There is also a device known as "portable", less difficult to maneuver than a van or a bus. While the portable device can still be transported by van or bus, possibly also a forklift ("forklift" in English), but it can also be transported on wheels within a facility, for example room in room. Figures 2A and 2B show a known example of such a portable mammography apparatus. The portable device 1 has - on the one hand a deployed position in use, shown in Figure 2A, and 30 - on the other hand a retracted position of storage and transport.

As can be seen in FIG. 2B, the passage from the extended position of FIG. 2A to the retracted position is effected by rotation of the column 5 by an angle θ of 180 ° towards a base 161. In fact, unlike In the apparatus of FIG. 1, the mast 6 has a base 61 mounted on rollers 16 for moving the apparatus 1 from chamber to chamber. The portable apparatus of Figures 2A and 2B, however, have disadvantages. It is relatively heavy because it has a mass of about 200kg. It is therefore not portable by a single person, or by two persons at most, and requires the use of a freight elevator or a forklift, for example, to be unloaded from the van, bus or transport plane. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2B, the apparatus is not protected in the retracted position, so that the various elements of the apparatus can be damaged during its transport in the retracted position. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION The invention proposes to overcome at least one of these disadvantages. For this purpose, it is proposed according to the invention a mammography or tomosynthesis apparatus adapted to have a deployed position adapted to the normal operation of the apparatus, and secondly to have a retracted position for storage and / or for transporting the apparatus, characterized in that it is ultra-portable in the retracted position and comprises an outer shell for storage and / or transport and / or protection of the apparatus in the retracted position . The invention is advantageously supplemented by the following features, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination: the apparatus comprises at least one X-ray source removably attached to a column, preferably by a fixing of the type bayonet, a fastener of the screw-nut type or a fastening by elastic reversible fitting; - It comprises a desk, incorporating an X-ray detector, removably attached to a body of the apparatus, preferably by a fastening by reversible elastic casing or by a screw-type fastener or bayonet type; - It has a handle rotatably mounted on the body of the device around the desk, and adapted to have an extended position and a retracted position; The source and / or the console are placed in the hull in the retracted position of the apparatus; the shell comprises at least one wheel for transporting the apparatus in the retracted position, and advantageously comprising a brake system for stabilizing the apparatus in the deployed position; The apparatus comprises at least one stabilizing foot of the apparatus in the deployed position; - the foot is part of the hull; the foot is adapted to have an extended position and a retracted position; The apparatus comprises a support column for at least one X-ray source mounted in rotation on a body of the apparatus, and comprising a balancing of the column, preferably comprising a handle for manually rotating the column; ; at least part of the shell is part of a main body of the apparatus; the apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving a tray relative to a console fixed to a main body of the apparatus, for the compression of a breast of a patient on the desk forming a surface, the mechanism comprising a column, movable relative to the console and / or to the body, and adapted so that a maximum extension of the column relative to the surface follows the movement of the plate relative to the desk; the apparatus comprises a manual actuation wheel of the mechanism; it includes a storage space for mammography and / or tomosynthesis images; the apparatus is adapted for connection with an external device for controlling and / or viewing the mammography and / or tomosynthesis images; - it has a mass less than 100kg. The invention has many advantages. The apparatus is "ultra-portable", that is, it has a mass of less than 100kg, but preferably less than 80kg, and most preferably has a mass of between 60kg and 40kg. Because it is ultra-portable, it can be transported from one place to another by a single person or two people at most. For example, it can be unloaded from the trunk of a vehicle such as an automobile (vehicle not dedicated to mobile mammography) without the aid of a freight elevator or a forklift, and can for example easily be transported from one examination room to another examination room. It is preferentially but not limitatively provided with displacement wheels. The apparatus according to the invention is compact in the retracted position, so that it fits easily in the trunk of a vehicle such as an automobile (vehicle not dedicated to mobile mammography). The spatial space is thus of the order of 1m high, 0.5m wide and about 0.4m deep. To further enhance the compactness, the X-ray source is preferably monoblock, that is to say that it comprises both the X-ray emitter tube and the corresponding high voltage generator. The apparatus has very advantageously an outer shell storage and / or transport, which also provides protection of the device during storage and / or transport in the retracted position. The above-mentioned hull is preferably but non-limitatively provided with displacement rollers. Advantageously, all the constituent elements of the apparatus (in particular the X-ray source and the desk) are placed in an internal space of the outer shell, in the retracted position of storage and transport of the apparatus. The device is therefore very convenient for storage and transport, and all the components of the device (including the X-ray source and the desk) are protected by the shell. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. mammography apparatus known from the state of the art; FIGS. 2A and 2B show a portable mammography apparatus known from the state of the art; FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention: FIG. 3A shows the apparatus in a retracted storage position; Figure 3B shows the apparatus in the retracted transport position; Figure 3C shows the apparatus in an expanded use position; - Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in the deployed position; FIG. 5 represents a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in the deployed position; FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F respectively show schematically respectively possible mechanisms for moving a compression plate of a breast of a patient, these mechanisms being advantageously incorporated on an apparatus according to FIG. invention; FIG. 6A represents a possible embodiment of a mechanism comprising a sliding block; FIG. 6B represents a possible embodiment of a mechanism comprising a sliding block connected to a support arm of the plate; FIG. 6C represents a possible embodiment of a mechanism comprising two sliding rods; FIG. 6D represents a possible embodiment of a mechanism comprising a telescopic block; FIG. 6E represents a possible embodiment of a mechanism comprising two telescopic rods; and FIG. 6F shows a possible embodiment of a mechanism 10 comprising scissors articulated arms; - Figure 7 shows schematically a possible variant of a shell for storage, transport and protection of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 8A schematically shows a first possible storage position for the apparatus in the retracted position; - Figure 8B shows schematically a second possible storage position for the device in the retracted position; FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E schematically show possible embodiments of an interface between the desk and the main body of the apparatus, and FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and 10E represent schematically possible embodiments of an interface between the source and the main body of the apparatus. In all of the figures, the similar elements carry identical numerical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 4 and 5 schematically show possible embodiments of a mammography or tomosynthesis apparatus 1 according to the invention. The apparatus according to the invention is suitable for: on the one hand having an extended position, in normal operation of the apparatus, that is to say for the taking of mammography or tomosynthesis images, represented on 3C, 4 and 5, and - secondly have a retracted position for storage, shown in Figure 3A for example, and / or for transport, shown in Figure 3B for example. As can be seen in FIGS. 3C, 4 and 5, in operation, the apparatus 1 comprises all the conventional constitutive elements presented in the introductory part of the present description, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B: these parts of the description are not repeated here for the sake of clarity and brevity. However, it is specified that these constituent elements are assembled on a main body 17 of the apparatus 1. The main body 17 is very advantageously monobloc and solid. The constituent elements of the main body 17 are of any rigid material and having sufficient mechanical properties, for example carbon fiber, to provide lightness and rigidity to the apparatus 1. The main body 17 may advantageously comprise within it set of electrical and electronic means known in themselves and necessary for the control of the generation of X-radiation and for at least the acquisition or the treatment of the images originating from the X-ray detector 31. supply of all the electrical and electronic means of the body 17 is preferably on the sector or possibly battery. As can also be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the apparatus 1 comprises an outer shell 10 for storage and / or transport and / or protection of the apparatus 1, for example but not exclusively during storage and / or transport of the apparatus 1 in the retracted position. Advantageously and as will be seen in greater detail in the remainder of the present description, all the constituent elements of the apparatus 1 (in particular the X-ray source 2 and the desk 3) are placed in an internal space of the shell 10 external, in the retracted position of storage and transport of the device. In addition, the device is "ultra-portable", especially in the retracted position, that is to say that it has a mass of less than 100 kg, but preferably less than 80 kg, and very preferably a mass of between 60 kg and 40 kg. As will be seen in more detail in the remainder of the present description, such a feature of ultra-portability can be obtained by a judicious choice of materials and by the removal of motorizations judiciously chosen also.

The apparatus according to the invention is compact in the retracted position (the spatial space is thus of the order of 1m high, 0.5m wide and about 0.4m deep), which reinforces its ultra-portability by its maneuverability, so that it fits easily in the trunk of a vehicle such as a car (vehicle not dedicated to mobile mammography).

Because it is ultra-portable, it can be transported from one place to another by a single person or by two people at most, for example it can be unloaded from the trunk of a vehicle such as a car (non-dedicated mobile mammography vehicle) without the aid of a freight elevator or forklift, and can easily be transported from one examination room to another examination room, for example. The apparatus 1 is now described in more detail in its retracted position, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The outer shell 10 is made of a material - light to ensure the ultra-portable nature of the device 1, and - rigid to ensure the protection of the device 1 during storage and / or transport. The shell 10 is for example made of plastic or carbon fiber, but may also be any other light material having sufficient strength properties to ensure the protection of the apparatus 1. The shell 10 is preferably but not exclusively provided with at least one wheel 16 of displacement. Advantageously, the shell 10 comprises two wheels 16 mounted on either side of the shell 10, in a lower part intended to be close to the ground in operation. Each wheel 16 is advantageously rotatably mounted on a substantially rectangular blade 15 which can be: - deployed relative to the shell 10, to allow the roll of the shell 10 on the ground during the transport of the apparatus 1, as shown 3B, and - retracted along the shell 10, thanks to a folding c 10 shown in Figure 3B and allowed by a hinge between the shell 10 and the blade 15: such a folding blade 15 reinforces the compactness of the The blades 15 may also form stabilizing feet 15 of the apparatus 1 and / or the shell 10, as shown in FIG. 3A. For this purpose, each blade 15 may form an external angle y less than 180 degrees relative to the shell 10, to increase the seat of the shell 10. At least one wheel 16 advantageously comprises a brake system for stabilizing the device in the deployed position. As can be seen more specifically in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shell 10 may comprise at least one handle 111, for example in an upper part opposite to the lower part of the shell 10, to form a sort of suitcase. The shell 10 may also include, in its lower part, a support 113 for a foot of a user of the apparatus 1, to enable the latter to more easily tilt the shell 10 on the rollers 16 of the the storage position of Figure 3A to the transport position of Figure 3B. It is understood that the outer shell 10 comprises: - a first portion 11, and - a second portion 12 separated from one another by a separation 1112.

In the retracted storage and / or transport position, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 forming the shell 10 are held connected to one another by at least one lock 1113, advantageously formed by complementary shapes, such as by example a hook cooperating with a ring, or a bead cooperating with a corresponding groove. The latch 1113 can be unlocked, so that the second portion 12 can be separated from the first portion 11, as shown in Figures 3C, 4 and 5 for example.

It will of course be understood that the second part 12 can simply tip over to the first part 11 thanks to a hinge system 1114, as shown in FIG. 7. FIGS. 3C and 4 show that at least the part 11 of the hull It is part of the main body 17 of the apparatus 1. The first part 11 is therefore, in an operating position of the apparatus 1, in a vertical position and forms the outer wall of the body 17 containing all the electrical and electronic means. necessary for taking pictures. Figure 5 shows that according to another embodiment, the parts 11 and 12 are distinct from the body 17. The apparatus 1 is thus placed in its retracted position and then inserted into the outer shell 10 then forming a kind of suitcase. The apparatus 1 is now described in more detail in an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended operating position, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. As shown in FIG. 8A, the X-ray source 2 is removable from the column 5. In this case, the source 2 can be stored in a corresponding housing 123, made in an internal part of the second part 12, 30 to be row next to the column 5. As shown in Figure 8B, the X-ray source 2 is rotatably mounted relative to a longitudinal axis of the column 5, thanks to a hinge 53 forming a pivot.

In this case, the source 2 can be stored in a corresponding housing 123, made in an internal part of the second part 12, to be arranged perpendicularly to the column 5. The source 2 can thus be brought into a plane of the body 17, as shown schematically in FIG. 8B. To further enhance the compactness of the apparatus 1, the X-ray source 2 is preferably monoblock, that is to say that it comprises both the X-ray emitter tube and the corresponding high-voltage generator.

In order also to reinforce the compactness of the apparatus in the retracted position, the desk 3 incorporating the X-ray detector 31 is removable from the body 17 of the apparatus 1. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3C, 4, 5, 8A and 8B, the desk 3 is preferably received in a corresponding housing 124, 15 made in the internal part of the second part 12, to be stored next to the column 5. A central portion 171 projecting from the body 17, around which the column 5 can pivot, can also be received in a corresponding housing 122 of the inner part of second part 12. Advantageously, the inner portions of the second part 12 and the first part 11 are padded, for example by the foam, to protect the components of the device 1 during storage and / or transport. The apparatus 1 is now described in more detail in the extended position of normal operation, with reference to FIGS. 3C, 4 and 5. The apparatus 1 preferably comprises stabilizing feet 13, preferably located on the same side as the column 5 relative to the body 17. The feet 13 are preferably in the form of longitudinal blades and are rotatably mounted on the body 17, and may be: - deployed relative to the body 17, thanks to a clearance ri, substantially equal to 90 °; and - retracted along the body 17, in a corresponding housing 14 formed in the body 17 of the apparatus 1: such folding of the feet 13 reinforces the compactness of the apparatus 1 and allows to put the second part 12 on the first part 11.

In order to increase the stabilization of the apparatus 1, the feet 13 also form an external angle γ less than 180 ° with respect to the body 17 of the apparatus 1, to increase the seat of the body 17. As shown in the figures 4 and 5 for example, the apparatus 1 may comprise an additional stabilizing foot 172, situated in the middle of the feet 13 with respect to the body 17, in order to stabilize the apparatus 1 after the separation of the second part 12 of the first part 11, and prior to the deployment of the feet 13 of stabilization. The feet 172 and 13 are for example metallic for reasons of mechanical strength. The column 5 can then be deployed at an angle of up to 180 ° from the position of FIGS. 8A and 8B, since it is rotatably mounted on the body 17 of the apparatus 1, around the portion 171. From the storage mode of FIG. 8A, the source 2 is fixed on the upper part of the column 5, as shown by the arrows K of FIGS. 3C and 4. As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, the attachment is preferably a bayonet attachment, of the type used in photography. Thus, the source 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion including at least one radial rod 24 cooperating with an L-shaped groove 64 formed in a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion in the body 17. Once reached the bottom of the L, the rod 24 undergoes a slight rotation, so that the source 2 is removably attached to the body 17. In Figures 10A, 10B and 10C, electrical connections 260 are made by flat electrical connectors at the periphery, but they can also be centrally located. (Figures 10D and 10E) and can also be made by sockets, for example on the body 17, cooperating with the plugs connected to the source 2 by electric cables (of the type shown in Figure 9B). Other fixing alternatives are also possible, such as fasteners of the screw-nut type (as in FIGS. 10D and 10E, in this case the fixing is carried out by a cooperation of a circular thread 2641 practiced for example on the source 2 , peripherally, with a corresponding thread 2642 made on the body 17), fasteners by reversible elastic casing (clips as in Figures 9D and 9E), etc. From the storage mode of FIG. 8B, the source 2 is rotated 0 by 90 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the column 5, thanks to the hinge 53, as shown in FIG. Removable panel 3 on the body 17 of the device 1, is preferably carried by a reversible elastic fitting fitting, bayonet type or a fastener type screw-nut. The screw-and-nut type attachment is shown schematically in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In this case, it is for example made by a threaded rod 3641 terminated by a head 3642 butterfly, the rod 3641 cooperating with a hole 1611 tapped in the body 17 through a hole 3643 formed in the panel 3. After tightening, the The panel 3 is thus locked between the head 3642 and the body 17. The bayonet type fixing is shown schematically in FIG. 9C. In this case the fixing is carried out for example by at least one lug 3641, for example T-shaped, cooperating with at least one L-shaped groove 1611 in the body 17, the small bar of the L of the groove 161 being turned towards the bottom of the body 17. After insertion (by translation and / or rotation), the console 3 is blocked by the small bar of the T of the lug 3641 placed in the small bar of the L of the groove 1611. The fixing by reversible elastic casing is shown in Figures 9D and 9E. In FIG. 9D, a lug 65 for example on the body 17 cooperates with two sections 235 and 236 of the desk 3 (or of the source 2), for an elastic and reversible casing by a force in the axis BB '.

In FIG. 9E, an outgrowth 66 is provided near the lug 65 to allow local deformation of the body 6, and to avoid a force in the axis BB '. In FIGS. 9A and 9C, the connections 260 are made by flat electrical connectors in the center of the interface but can also be made by means of taps, for example on the body 17, cooperating with plugs connected to the desk 3 by cables electric (Figure 9B). Naturally, it is possible to provide any combination of the connections 260 and the fasteners described above, and to provide the fasteners for the source for the desk and vice versa. When the source 2 and the console 3 are deployed, the source 2 is at a good distance from the desk 3 to perform X-ray imaging. In normal operation, the plate 4 is moved relative to the desk 3 in order to compress the breast. of the patient. For this purpose, the carriage 7, connected on the one hand to the plate 4, is also connected on the other hand to a mechanism for moving the compression plate 4. As can be seen in FIGS. 3C, 4 and 5, the mechanism for moving the plate can be situated on either side of a surface S of the panel 3 incorporating the X-ray detector 31. The surface S can be plane or curve. In order to be able to pass the mechanism and the carriage 7, the desk 3 25 has a notch 32 on the side of the central portion 171 of the body 17. Due to its positioning on either side of the surface S, and no longer only in the upper position relative to the surface S (as in the state of the art), the body 17 may have a central portion 171 more compact. In order to provide the ultra-portable character of the apparatus 1, the displacement of the plate 4 is advantageously carried out for example by means of a wheel 71, in order to avoid the presence of a motorization. Of course, the displacement of the plate 4 can also be motorized.

Different embodiments of the mechanism are described in more detail later in this description. In all of the embodiments described in more detail in the present description, the displacement mechanism comprises a small column, movable relative to the body 17 and / or the desk 3, and adapted so that a maximum extension, marked by h or h 'in FIGS. 6A to 6F, of the column, with respect to the surface S, follows the displacement of the plate 4 relative to the desk 3.

FIRST GENERAL EMBODIMENT According to a first general embodiment, the mechanism comprises a small column which is slidably mounted in at least one corresponding receptacle formed in the main body 17 of the apparatus 1 and / or the desk 3.

A first possible embodiment of a mechanism 80 comprising such a small column 801 is shown schematically in FIG. 6A. The column 801 forms a rigid block supporting the carriage 7 connected to the plate 4. It is understood that a receptacle 802, in which the column 801 is slidably mounted, has a corresponding internal profile. Advantageously, the block 801 forming the column is a solid block, and has an oblong shape with a length substantially equal to the clearance required for the carriage 7 and the plate 4. The movement of the block of the column 801 in the receptacle 802 25 is continuous, but has mainly two positions: a high position h placement of the breast on the desk 3 and a low position h 'breast compression on the desk 3. In both cases, we note that the maximum extension, spotted by h or h 'in FIG. 6A, of the column 801, with respect to the surface S, follows the displacement of the plate 4 with respect to the panel 3. The carriage 7, connected to the plate 4, is situated in the upper position, on the free end of the column 801.

In contrast, the receptacle 802 is located in the lower position relative to the surface S of the desk 3, so that the mechanism 80 for moving the plate 4 extends on either side of the surface S of the desk 3. On then understands that the mechanism 80 for moving the plate 4 is less cumbersome in the upper part of the desk 3 compared to the state of the art of FIG. 1, which allows the incorporation of the mechanism 80 for example in ultra-light appliances. -portables. A second possible embodiment of a mechanism 81 comprising a column 811 slidably mounted in a corresponding receptacle 812 10 formed in the main body 17 of the apparatus 1 and / or the panel 3 is shown in Figure 6B. The column 811 forms a block supporting the carriage 7 connected to an arm 813 itself connected to the plate 4. Thus, instead of being placed in the upper position on the free end of the column 811, as it is the case for the embodiment of Figure 6A, the carriage 7 is located in an intermediate position relative to the mechanism 81 for moving the plate 4. The arm 813 thus extends parallel to the column 811 and is connected to the plate 4 by means of an elbow 8131. 20 As previously, the column 811 thus moves in the receptacle 812, placed in the lower position relative to the surface S of the desk 3, in order to raise or lower the plate 4, via the arm 813, 3. The arm 813 can thus have two extreme positions: a high position h and a low position h 'with respect to the desk 3. It is thus clear that the extreme extension of the column 811 follows the movement of the board. 4 per report The right section of the block of the balusters 801 and 811 is rectangular, but other shapes can of course be provided. FIG. 6C schematically represents a third possible embodiment of a mechanism 82 comprising a small column 821 slidably mounted in at least one corresponding receptacle 822 of the main body 17 of the apparatus 1 and / or of the desk 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 6C, the baluster 821 comprises at least two rods 8211, rigid and slidably mounted in at least two tubes 8221 of complementary internal shape and made in the main body 17 of the apparatus 1 and / or in the console 3.

The carriage 7 is preferably placed in the upper position on the free end of the rods 8211. As before, the mechanism 82 extends on either side of the surface S of the console 3, and the carriage 7 has two positions. extremes with respect to the desk 3, namely a high position h and a low position h '. The cross section of the rods 8211 is for example circular, but other forms of cross section can of course be provided. The raising and lowering of the column 801, 811 or 821 respectively in the receptacle 802, 812 or 822 can be carried out in any manner known to those skilled in the art, for example by mechanical cooperation of a rack with a wheel toothed, worm gear, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, etc. The displacement of the column 801, 811 or 821 in the receptacle 802, 812 or 822 can be manual, for example by means of a wheel 71, and / or be motorized. SECOND GENERAL EMBODIMENT According to a second general embodiment, the mechanism comprises a column which is telescopic relative to the main body 17 of the apparatus 1 and / or to the desk 3. A first possible embodiment of a mechanism 83 having such a column 831 is shown in Figure 6D. The column 831 forms a telescopic block supporting the carriage 7 connected to the plate 4, in the upper part on the free end of the block. Block 831 may comprise, for example, three stages, but a different number may also be provided. According to a second possible embodiment of a mechanism 84 comprising such a small column 841 shown in FIG. 6E, the column 841 comprises at least two telescopic rods 8411 supporting the carriage 7 connected to the plate 4, in the upper part on the free end 8411. In both cases, the telescopic column 831 or 841 is movable 5 relative to the console 3 and / or the body 17 between a high end position denoted h and a low extremal position h 'for the carriage 7. As one As can be seen in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the block 831 or the rods 8411 can be received, in a retracted position, advantageously but not limitatively, in a receptacle 832 or 842 of complementary shape and made in the main body 17 of the 1 and / or in the console 3. Thus the mechanism 83 or 84 extends on either side of the surface S of the panel 3. The cross section of the telescopic block 831 is for example rectangular, and the secti 8411 is for example circular, but other forms of cross section can of course be provided. The raising and lowering of the column 831 or 841, in particular but not limited to respectively the receptacle 832 or 842, can be carried out in any manner known to those skilled in the art, for example by mechanical cooperation of hollow augers or telescopic, by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, etc. The displacement of the column 831 or 841 can be manual, for example by means of a wheel 71, and / or be motorized. THIRD GENERAL MODE OF EMBODIMENT According to a third general embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a mechanism 85 comprising a column 851 which is articulated in scissors. As shown in FIG. 6F, the column 851 comprises at least one stage, each stage comprising at least two arms 8511 and 8512 crossed in X and articulated substantially in their middle by a pivot connection 8513, to form a scissors structure which can thus raise or lower the carriage 7 connected to the plate 4, depending on the spacing x of the arms 8511 and 8512.

In Figure 6F, the column 851 has two stages, but any number of stages can of course be provided. The mechanism 85 also includes a protection 853 around the column 851, to avoid pinching problems of a user or the patient in the articulated post 851. Such a protection 853 may be formed for example of an elastic textile or a rigid telescopic structure for example. As before, the movement of the column 851 can be manual or motorized. There is described a carriage 7 placed in the intermediate position of the mechanism with reference to FIG. 6B, the carriage 7 being connected to an arm 813 itself connected to the plate 4; it will of course be understood that such a carriage 7 and such an arm 813 can be applied alternatively to the embodiments described in the other figures. The apparatus 1 advantageously comprises at least one handle 9, which, as shown in FIG. 5, may advantageously be rotatably mounted on the body 17 of the apparatus 1 around the central part 171 and around the desk 3, so that the patient can hold the handle 9 during imaging. The handle is also advantageously adapted to have an extended position and a retracted position, as explained below. The handle 9 can thus be slidably mounted in a corresponding external tube 91, the tube 91 and the handle 9 having a general shape of C. When the handle 9 is in its entirety in the tube 91, it is in the retracted position, when the handle 9 is at least partially out of the tube 91, it is in the deployed position. The length of the handle 9 out of the tube 91 makes it possible to adapt to different patient sizes. The C formed by the tube 91 and the handle 9 is preferably placed below the desk 3 relative to the column 5 in the deployed position. C formed by the tube 91 and the handle 9 may have an angle relative to the main body 17 of the apparatus 1, for example to bring a free end of the handle 9 as it exits the tube 91 , Or vice versa. It is also possible to provide a degree of mechanical freedom of the tube 91 along one, two or three axes. The length of the outlet handle 9 of the tube 91 also makes it possible to provide the angle required for the handle 9 as a function of the imaging angle. Indeed, as shown in Figures 3C, 4 and 5, and conventionally, the column 5 may have, in the deployed position, an angular displacement a to be able to take images at several possible angles. In mammography, the desk 3 is in the locked position relative to the column 5 and follows the movement of the column 5. The central portion 171 can then be rotated relative to the body 17, at the same time as the column 5. However, advantageously, the apparatus 1 also performs a tomosynthesis, that is to say a whole series of radiographic images, in a single cycle, for forming a three-dimensional radiological image of the breast of the patient. In this case, the desk 3 is in the unlocked position relative to the column 5 and remains stationary (as well as the central portion 171) relative to the body 17 during the travel of the column 5. In order to provide the ultra-portable character of the apparatus 1, the clearance a of the column 5 is advantageously manual, in order to avoid the presence of a motor. In this case, the column 5 preferably comprises a handle 25 manually rotated column 5, and the angular deflections of the column 5 are preferably not marked with graduations 54 on the body 17. Of course, the angular deflections of the column 5 may be motorized and / or be identified by other means such as a potentiometer or an optical encoder.

In order to counterbalance the relatively large mass of the source 2 (of the order of 20 kg), the apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a balancing 52 of the column 5. The balancing 52 can be formed by a counterweight located in a diametrically opposite position in column 5 relative to the body 17. The balancing 52 may also comprise two gears connected by a constant force spring and connected to the body 17, as known to those skilled in the art, and lighter and compact. The apparatus 1 preferably comprises only a space 18 for storing images of mammograms and / or tomosynthesis, the visualization of the images thus being done subsequently in an analysis laboratory. The storage space 18 may be for example a flash memory or a hard disk.

The apparatus 1 may also comprise local means 19 for controlling and / or adjusting the radiation parameters and / or acquisition of the images. The apparatus 1 may also be adapted for connection 201 with an external device 20 for controlling and / or adjusting the radiation and / or image acquisition parameters. The device 20 can also be adapted for viewing images of mammograms and / or tomosynthesis.

The link 201 may be wired or wireless (WIFI or Bluetooth protocols for example). The external device 20 may be a conventional control console and / or adjustment of the radiation parameters and / or acquisition of images. The device 20 may also be a portable device of the type PC, PDA, or tablet.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. Apparatus (1) for mammography or tomosynthesis, adapted for - firstly having an extended position adapted for the normal operation of the apparatus, and - secondly having a retracted position for storage and / or for the transport of the apparatus, characterized in that it is ultra-portable in the retracted position and has an outer shell (10) for storage and / or transport and / or protection of the apparatus (1) in position retracted. 2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one source (2) of X-rays releasably attached to a column (5), preferably by a bayonet-type fastener, a fastener type screw-nut or a fastening by reversible elastic casing. 3. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a console (3), incorporating an X-ray detector (31), removably attached to a body (17) of the apparatus (1) preferably by means of a reversible elastic casing fastening or a screw-nut or bayonet-type fastener. 4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, comprising a handle (9) rotatably mounted on the body (17) of the apparatus (1) around the desk (3), and adapted to have an extended position and a position retracted. 5. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the source (2) and / or the desk (3) are placed in the shell (10) in the retracted position of the apparatus (1). 30 6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shell (10) comprises at least one wheel (16) for transporting the apparatus (1) retracted position, and advantageously comprising a brake system to stabilize the device in the deployed position. 7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one foot (13, 15, 172) for stabilizing the apparatus in the deployed position. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the foot (13, 15, 172) is part of the shell (10). 10 9. Apparatus according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the foot (13, 15, 17) is adapted to have an extended position and a retracted position. 10. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a column 15 (5) for supporting at least one source (2) of X-rays rotated on a body (17) of the apparatus, and comprising a balancing (52) of the column (5), preferably comprising a handle (51) for manually rotating the column (5). 20 11. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a portion (11) of the shell (10) is part of a body (17) of the main device (1). 12. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a mechanism (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) for moving a plate (4) relative to a console (3) fixed to a main body (17) of the apparatus (1), for the compression of a breast of a patient on the desk (3) forming a surface (S), the mechanism (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) having a column (801, 811, 821, 831, 841, 851) movable relative to the desk and / or the body (17), and adapted so that a maximum extension (h, h ') of the column relative to the surface (S) follows the movements of the plate (4) relative to the desk (3). 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a wheel (71) for manual actuation of the mechanism (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85). 14. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a space (18) for storing mammography images and / or tomosynthesis. 15. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, adapted for connection (201) with an external device (20) for controlling and / or viewing mammography and / or tomosynthesis images. 16. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, having a mass less than 100kg.