Breast Phantom Encapsulated Hydrogel Thermal Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Breast imaging processes cause pain and discomfort due to compression and cold temperatures, which can lead to patient movement and compromised image quality, and existing methods lack effective solutions to address these issues without impacting x-ray image quality.
Innovation Solution
A breast phantom with encapsulated hydrogel is used to test the effects of thermal energy on breast appearance in x-ray images, allowing for the determination of an appropriate temperature range for heating compression surfaces to reduce pain and discomfort while maintaining image quality by capturing and comparing x-ray images before and after thermal energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If compression is applied to the breast during imaging, then image quality and tissue immobilization are improved, but patient pain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy to the compression surfaces to change their temperature parameter, heating them to a comfortable temperature range (e.g., 37°C or body temperature). This parameter change reduces patient pain and discomfort while maintaining the necessary compression force for image quality and tissue immobilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compression surfaces are heated to reduce patient discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but x-ray image quality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a breast phantom that replicates the optical and thermal properties of actual breast tissue. By testing heating effects on the phantom first, researchers can determine optimal temperature ranges and heating parameters that improve patient comfort without compromising image quality, before applying these parameters to actual patient imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a systematic approach where heating parameters are tested on phantoms, image quality is evaluated, and feedback is used to optimize the heating parameters. This iterative process ensures that the final heating parameters both reduce patient discomfort and maintain image quality standards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal energy is applied to compression surfaces, then patient pain is reduced, but the effect on breast tissue appearance in x-ray images needs to be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The breast phantom serves as a copy of actual breast tissue, allowing researchers to evaluate how thermal energy application affects tissue appearance in x-ray images without risking patient safety or image quality. The phantom replicates the radiographic properties of breast tissue, enabling safe pre-testing of heating parameters.
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
This approach enables the reduction of patient pain and discomfort during breast imaging by determining an optimal temperature range for heating compression surfaces, minimizing the impact on x-ray image quality and potentially improving patient experience without requiring clinical studies.
Implementation Method 1
applying thermal energy to the model comprises applying the thermal energy to one or more of a first compression surface and a second compression surface of a breast imaging system, and compressing the model between the first compression surface and the second compression surface prior to and while capturing the second set of x-ray images
Implementation Method 2
a breast phantom with encapsulated hydrogel is used to test the effects of thermal energy on breast appearance in x-ray images
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for testing effects of external stimuli on breast appearance in an x-ray image are provided. A model for testing may include a breast phantom with an encapsulated hydrogel. In some examples, a three-dimensional cell culture and/or microfluidic channels may be encapsulated in the hydrogel. A first set of x-ray images of the model may be captured, thermal energy may be applied to the model, and a second set of x-ray images of the model may be captured while the thermal energy is being applied for comparison with the first set to determine effects of the thermal energy on appearance of the model. By incrementally increasing an amount of thermal energy applied and capturing subsequent x-ray images for comparison, an appropriate temperature range may be determined for heating compression surfaces of a breast imaging system to reduce compression-related pain and discomfort for patients without compromising x-ray image quality.