Breast Securement Device Using Suction Tensioning for Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast securement methods during medical imaging cause discomfort, leading to patient movement and suboptimal image quality, as they often require sufficient force to stabilize the breast, potentially pushing tissue towards the chest wall and creating image artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A breast securement device with a retainer and tensioning system that pulls the breast away from the chest wall, using mesh material, vacuum bags, or adhesive members to stabilize and shape the breast without full compression, along with radiolucent markers for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If compression force is applied to stabilize the breast, then breast movement is reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates and tissue is pushed towards the chest wall
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the breast tissue towards the chest wall with compression force, the invention applies suction to pull the breast tissue away from the chest wall. This inverted approach achieves stabilization without the harmful pushing effect, allowing the compression paddle to apply force in the opposite direction (away from the chest wall) while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a suction cup as an intermediary device between the breast and the compression system. The suction cup applies localized suction force to secure the breast tissue, acting as a mediator that provides stabilization without requiring high compression forces that cause discomfort. This intermediary allows the compression paddle to work more effectively with reduced force.
2Stability of the object's composition
If compression force is applied to stabilize the breast, then breast movement is reduced, but image artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional compression approach by using suction to pull breast tissue away from the chest wall rather than pushing it there. This allows the compression paddle to apply stabilizing force without creating the tissue displacement that generates image artifacts, thereby maintaining image quality while achieving breast stabilization.
3Stability of the object's composition
If breast tissue is pushed towards the chest wall for securement, then stabilization is achieved, but tissue coverage in imaging field is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reverses the conventional approach by using suction to pull breast tissue away from the chest wall into the imaging field. This inverted force direction simultaneously achieves stabilization and improves tissue coverage in the imaging field, as the breast tissue is drawn outward rather than pushed inward toward the chest wall.
4Stability of the object's composition
If high compression force is used to prevent patient movement, then image stability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup serves as an intermediary securement device that stabilizes the breast with minimal force requirements. By using suction to anchor the breast tissue, the system achieves image stability without requiring high compression forces that would compromise patient comfort, thereby resolving the contradiction between image stability and patient comfort.
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 solution reduces breast movement and image blurring, increases patient comfort, and enhances imaging efficiency by stabilizing and shaping the breast without the need for typical compression pressure, while minimizing image artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum bag is coupled to a vacuum line so as to capture at least a portion of breast tissue within the vacuum bag
Implementation Method 2
the retainer includes an adhesive member configured to adhere to the patient's breast
Data Source
AI summary
A breast securement device for an imaging system is provided. The securement device includes a retainer configured to attach to at least a portion of a patient's breast and a tensioning system coupled to the retainer. The tensioning system is configured to pull the retainer away from a chest wall of the patient so as to apply a pulling force to the patient's breast. The retainer may include a substantially tubular-shaped mesh material having a first end configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's breast and an opposite second end coupled to the tensioning system. In another example, the retainer may include a vacuum bag having a first end configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's breast. In still another example, the retainer may include an adhesive member configured to adhere to the patient's breast.