Stereotactic mammography imaging system with prone position examination table and CCD camera

An elongated prone patient-supporting examining table for X-ray mammography is centrally supported at variable heights by a rear pedestal. The table is provided with a central breast-receiving aperture through which the patient's pendulant breast is exposed to a horizontal beam of X-rays from a tubehead source mounted on an arm angularly movable through an arc of some 210 degrees centered on the patient's breast. The patient's feet may be positioned at either end of the elongated table on an extensible footrest, permitting X-ray projection through more than 360 degrees around the patient's body. Diagnosis of suspect lesions and fine needle biopsy are both facilitated by stereotactic examination. Digital imaging using a CCD camera 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.