Breast Compression Paddle Access Corners for Easier Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast compression paddles in x-ray mammography and tomosynthesis cause discomfort due to rigid surfaces and limited technician access, leading to improper positioning and increased procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A breast compression paddle with a concave surface and access surfaces that conform to the breast shape, allowing improved technician access and reducing the need for excessive force, featuring smooth transitions and ribs for rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid clear plastic compression paddle with perpendicular surfaces is used, then the breast can be compressed and immobilized for imaging, but the technician's hand may get stuck between the paddle and breast causing stress and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The compression paddle incorporates curved surfaces instead of perpendicular flat surfaces. The front surface is curved to match the breast contour, and the side surfaces are rounded to create access corners that prevent the technician's hand from getting trapped during compression, thereby maintaining reliable breast immobilization while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the compression paddle have different surface properties: the front surface is curved to conform to the breast shape for proper positioning, while the side surfaces feature rounded access corners that provide technician access. This local differentiation of surface geometry resolves the contradiction between immobilization reliability and operational ease
2Area of stationary object
If the paddle size and shape are increased to ensure complete breast coverage, then more tissue can be imaged, but the technician cannot properly hold and manipulate the breast
Solution Approach 1:
The enlarged paddle features rounded access corners and curved surfaces that maintain a compact effective profile. This allows the paddle to cover the complete breast area while providing sufficient space for the technician's hand to manipulate the breast without getting trapped, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and ease of manipulation
3Reliability
If excessive compression force is applied to immobilize the breast, then image blurring is reduced, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved front surface of the paddle distributes compression force more evenly across the breast tissue, conforming to the natural breast contour. This reduces pressure concentration points that cause discomfort while maintaining sufficient immobilization to prevent image blurring, thereby improving patient comfort without sacrificing image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle features localized curvature at the front surface and rounded corners that create optimal pressure distribution zones. These geometric features concentrate compression where needed for immobilization while reducing pressure on sensitive areas, resolving the contradiction between image quality and patient comfort
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a breast compression paddle for a mammographic/tomosynthesis imaging system. The paddle including a front wall which is adjacent an imaged patient's chest. The bottom wall which is connected to a curved lower interface extends away from the chest wall and is adjacent to the top of a compressed breast. Two outer edges which extend away from the front reference surface, partially define a slightly raised central portion of the bottom wall. A bottom reference plane, a vertical reference plane substantially orthogonal to the front reference surface and the bottom reference plane, and an access surface disposed proximate at least one of the two outer edge portions are each defined by the bottom wall. The access surface is non-orthogonal to the front reference surface, the bottom reference plane, and the vertical reference plane.