Breast CT Gripper Stabilizes Imaging via Self-Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast computed tomography systems face challenges in capturing high-quality images due to involuntary movement of the examinee, which can lead to reduced image quality and discomfort from suction or awkward postures.
Innovation Solution
A breast computed tomography system with a gantry and gripper unit that stabilizes the breast by allowing the examinee to grip the system with both hands, reducing movement and discomfort through a gripper with right and left gripping portions, enabling high-quality image capture without compromising usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the breast is kept at rest during image capturing, then image quality is improved, but the examinee experiences discomfort from suction or awkward postures
Solution Approach 1:
The examinee actively participates in stabilizing their own breast by gripping the handle, converting passive restraint into active self-stabilization. This reduces discomfort from suction and awkward postures while maintaining image quality through self-controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of restraining the breast externally through suction or body positioning, the system inverts the approach by providing a handle that the examinee grips to actively stabilize the breast from within, reversing the traditional restraint mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the examinee is restrained using own body weight on a prone position, then the breast is kept stable, but involuntary movement cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The examinee uses their own hand grip force through the handle to stabilize the breast, replacing passive body weight restraint with active self-stabilization that directly counteracts involuntary movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle acts as an intermediary device between the examinee's hand and the breast, transmitting stabilizing force directly to the breast insertion section while allowing the examinee to maintain a comfortable prone position.
3Area of stationary object
If the breast is suctioned to keep it at rest, then image capturing region is enlarged, but internal bleeding and pain occur
Solution Approach 1:
The examinee actively stabilizes the breast through handle gripping, eliminating the need for harmful suction while maintaining the breast in a fixed position for enlarged image capturing region.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful suction function is extracted and replaced by the handle-based self-stabilization mechanism, which achieves the same positioning goal without causing internal bleeding or pain.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the examinee keeps body bent backward on examination bed, then breast stability is improved, but usability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves as an intermediary that allows the examinee to maintain a natural prone position while still achieving breast stability through gripping, eliminating the need for awkward backward bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The examinee actively stabilizes the breast through handle gripping while maintaining a comfortable prone position, replacing the need for awkward body positioning with self-controlled stabilization.
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 system effectively reduces positional changes of the breast during image capture, maintaining high-quality image quality and improving patient comfort by allowing stable gripping and reduced pressure on the back.
Implementation Method 1
PTL 3 discloses a photoacoustic computed tomography system (PACT) for the breast including an infrared irradiation unit and an ultrasonic detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a breast computed tomography system in which the body motion and the pain of an examinee during capturing of images of the breast are reduced. The breast computed tomography system includes a gantry accommodating a light emitting unit that radiates light onto the breast. The gantry includes a gripper having a right gripping portion and a left gripping portion.