Stereotactic mammography biopsy apparatus

This invention describes a patient supporting table for prone stereotactic X-ray guided mammographic biopsy apparatus and a method of use. An elongated prone patient-supporting examining table (43) for X-ray mammography is centrally supported at variable heights by a rear pedestal. The table is provided with a central breast-receiving aperture (35) through which the patient's pendulant breast is exposed to a horizontal beam of X-rays from a tube head source (280) mounted on an arm angularly movable through an arc of some 210 DEG centered on the patient's breast. Diagnosis of suspect lesions and fine needle biopsy are both facilitated by stereotactic examination. Digital imaging using a CCD camera (36) and image enhancement software provides magnification, contrast enhancement, window and level manipulation and high resolution images, with low exposure levels, short exposure times, and greatly reduced imaging times. The breast receiving aperture is positioned so as to divided the table into a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion, which supporting portions enable the patient's breast to be presented in respective first and second orientations with respect to stereotactic imaging means, the compression means and the biopsy needle guiding means.