Breast Tomography Contact Detection Sensor for Insertion Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast tomography apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the sufficient insertion of breasts near the chest wall, especially with varying breast sizes, leading to inaccurate imaging and increased radiation exposure due to the need for re-imaging and storage capacity limitations in body motion detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A breast tomography apparatus equipped with a gantry, radiation source, and radiation detector, featuring a contact detection sensor and determination unit to assess the insertion condition based on contact detection, allowing for accurate insertion verification and reduced radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the depth from the insert opening is used to determine breast insertion sufficiency, then the insertion condition can be checked, but the determination becomes inaccurate for breasts with different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from absolute depth distance to contact state detection. Instead of measuring how deep the breast is inserted in absolute terms, the contact detection sensor detects whether the breast has made contact with the breast insert portion, providing a binary contact/non-contact determination that is independent of breast size variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical depth measurement approach with a contact detection sensor system. The sensor detects the contact state between the breast and the breast insert portion, substituting the need for complex depth measurements with a simpler contact detection mechanism that works universally across different breast sizes.
2Reliability
If image subtraction method is used for body motion detection, then body motion can be detected, but storage capacity is consumed and image processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for motion detection - the contact state of the breast with the insert portion - rather than storing and processing complete images. By taking out only the critical contact detection data, the system achieves motion detection functionality while minimizing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing and processing actual image data for motion detection, the system uses contact detection sensor data as a simplified representation or copy of the breast position information. This contact state copy suffices for motion detection purposes without requiring the full image data.
3Productivity
If complete breast insertion is not verified before imaging, then imaging can proceed quickly, but re-imaging is required leading to increased radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary contact detection verification before the actual tomography imaging begins. The contact detection sensor checks whether the breast is properly inserted into the breast insert portion before radiation exposure occurs, preventing the need for re-imaging and reducing overall radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the contact state between the breast and the breast insert portion during the imaging process. If contact is lost or insufficient, the system can alert the operator or automatically pause imaging, ensuring proper insertion is maintained and preventing wasted radiation exposure from improper positioning.
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 apparatus ensures accurate breast insertion verification regardless of breast size, reduces radiation exposure, and minimizes storage capacity requirements by using contact detection for insertion determination, enhancing imaging efficiency and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a contact detection sensor configured to detect contact with an object
Implementation Method 2
a radiation generator and a radiation detector are rotated to acquire a plurality of projection images of the breast
Data Source
AI summary
A breast tomography apparatus includes a gantry incorporating a radiation source and a radiation detector and a breast insert portion which is provided in the gantry and in which the breast as an imaging target is to be inserted. The breast tomography apparatus detects contact between an object and the gantry by using at least one contact detection sensor arranged on the gantry, and determines the insert condition of the breast into the breast insert portion based on the detection of contact between the object and the gantry by the contact detection sensor.