Breast Compression Membrane with Adjustable Orientation for Uniform Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast compression devices are cumbersome, inflexible, and cause discomfort due to poor adaptability to breast shape and size, leading to ineffective diagnostic examinations.
Innovation Solution
A compression device with a deformable, transparent membrane and adjustable orientation means to fit the breast's shape and size, combined with a pressurized fluid system for uniform compression, ensuring comfort and effective image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an inflatable membrane compression system is used, then compression action can be applied to the breast, but the device becomes cumbersome and complex to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane as the compression element that can be inflated to apply uniform pressure across the breast surface. This thin film approach replaces complex mechanical compression mechanisms, achieving effective compression while maintaining device simplicity and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If a fixed compression device is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different breast sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device incorporates an inflatable membrane that can dynamically adjust its shape and pressure distribution based on the breast's size and morphology. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to different breast forms, providing adaptive compression without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the compression medium from deflated to inflated, allowing the membrane to transition from a relaxed state to an active compression state. This parameter change enables the same simple structure to adapt to various breast sizes and shapes effectively.
3Device complexity
If the membrane is positioned incorrectly with respect to the patient's breast, then the device structure remains simple, but the compression action becomes particularly painful
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane naturally conforms to the breast's surface contours, ensuring uniform pressure distribution across the entire compression area. This adaptability prevents concentration of force on sensitive areas, reducing pain while maintaining effective compression with a simple device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides uniform breast compression, enhancing diagnostic accuracy by immobilizing the breast, reducing pain, and facilitating multiple imaging modalities including optical, X-ray, and ultrasound.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially box-like body made at least in part of transparent material and comprising at least one elastic and deformable wall configured to compress an upper area of the breast
Implementation Method 2
a support element defining a flat surface made at least in part of material transparent to light
Data Source
AI summary
A breast examination compression device, including a support element defining a flat surface made at least in part of material transparent to light and configured to come into contact with a lower area of the breast; a substantially box-like body made at least in part of transparent material and including at least one elastic and deformable wall configured to compress an upper area of the breast, said elastic wall being opposite the flat surface; and orientation means of the box-like body for moving the body itself with respect to the support element and as a function of the dimensions and shape of the breast.