Medical apparatus for x-ray analysis having movable support for breast

A method comprising the following steps:

• providing a machine for allowing a diagnosis, including:
• at least one X-ray source configured to emit X-rays,
• at least one X-ray detector defining a detection plane,
• a probe, including a needle, for treatment of a body of a patient,
• an immobiliser comprising an immobilising element,
• a supporting frame, supporting the at least one X-ray source, the at least one X-ray detector, the immobiliser and the probe,
• a control unit connected at least to the at least one X-ray source and to the at least one X-ray detector;
• the probe being connected to the supporting frame movably along a first direction, along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along a third direction at right angles to the detection plane, the first direction and the second direction lying in a plane parallel to the detection plane, the machine being configured for moving said probe in a zone above the immobiliser to allow a positioning of the needle, along the first direction, selectively in the zone above the immobiliser and on right and left sides of the immobiliser;
• the immobiliser being connected to the supporting frame and being movable, independently of the probe, at least along the third direction;
• a member for supporting a breast of the patient, the member being removably connected to the supporting frame and positioned between the detection plane and the immobiliser,
• a support guide aligned along the first direction;
• the member for supporting the breast being movable along the support guide along the first direction;
• the member for supporting the breast being rigid;
• the member for supporting the breast being separate from the at least one X-ray detector so as to be movable along the first direction with respect to the at least one X-ray detector;
• and
• the member for supporting the breast being firmly attached to the support guide with respect to the second and third directions to maintain a fixed position to the support guide with respect to the second and third directions;
• positioning the patient with the breast resting on the detection plane;
• moving the immobilising element along a third direction at right angles to the detection plane, to compress the breast between the immobiliser and the detection plane,
• moving the probe along the first direction, along the second direction and along the third direction and moving the probe in the zone above the immobiliser to allow the positioning of the needle, along the first direction, selectively in the zone above the immobilizer and on right and left sides of the immobiliser, wherein said movement of the probe along at least the third direction is performed irrespective of the movement of the immobilising element along the third direction;
• reconstructing at least one image of the breast by analysing the X-rays emitted by the at least one X-ray source, passing through the breast and received by the at least one X-ray detector.