Method and apparatus for thin needle biopsy in connection with mammography

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for thin needle biopsy in connection with mammography, wherein a stationary target is radiographed from two angles by means of a rotating picture head, the pictures are placed on a separate measurement table, and the x-, y-, and z-coordinates of the desired site in the target are calculated on the basis of the two pictures in a known manner. In the method, measuring means (3,4) on the measuring table are brought to the calculated x-, y-coordinates and a detachable needle guide (10) is placed in an attachment means (6) on the measurement table and the needle guide (10) is adjusted to these coordinates indicated by the measuring means (3,4), and the z-coordinate is adjusted by means of a scale in the needle guide (10), whereafter the adjusted needle guide is attached to the attachment means (9) in the mammography apparatus, the attachment means being in the same position with respect to the calculated coordinates as is the attachment means (6) on the measurement table, and a biopsy is carried out by pressing the needle manually into the target. The invention also relates to an assembly for embodying the method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.