Breast Support Stabilizer for Clear Cone Beam CT Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cone beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) systems face challenges in stabilizing the breast during imaging, leading to reduced image clarity due to breast motion and discomfort from compressive fixation, which are not adequately addressed by existing fixturing apparatus like bite-sticks used in dental tomography.

Innovation Solution

A breast support apparatus with a stabilizer unit and adjustable positioning system, utilizing materials like expanded polystyrene and polycarbonate, maintains the breast in a fixed position relative to the imaging axis, ensuring clear and comfortable imaging without compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If compressive fixation is used to stabilize the breast during imaging, then image clarity is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the compressive fixation mechanism from the imaging system, extracting the harmful element that caused discomfort while maintaining breast stability through an alternative non-compressive support structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary support structure (breast support apparatus with stabilizer unit) that mediates between the breast and the imaging system, providing stability without direct compressive force, thus resolving the contradiction between image clarity and patient comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If existing fixturing apparatus like bite-sticks are used, then device complexity is reduced, but breast stabilization effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixturing simplicityVSAvoidbreast stabilization effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the breast support function into distinct components: a receiver portion integrated with the imaging system and a separable stabilizer unit that can be independently positioned and removed, providing effective stabilization while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the stabilizer unit adjustable and repositionable, allowing dynamic adaptation to different breast sizes and positions, thereby improving stabilization effectiveness without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If breast motion occurs during imaging, then image clarity deteriorates, but imaging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidimaging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the stabilizer unit and support structure before the imaging sequence begins, ensuring the breast is firmly stabilized in the correct position prior to image acquisition, thereby preventing motion artifacts without extending imaging time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260096793A1Fixturing and support for medical imaging

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 COGNIS CORP

AI summary

A cone beam breast computed tomography system includes a breast stabilization unit for maintaining the position and stability of a breast during imaging.