Concave Mammography Support Reducing Skin Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image receptor support devices for mammograms are uncomfortable due to their rectangular shape with sharp edges, causing pressure and bruising, and are not accommodating for patients in wheelchairs, leading to suboptimal positioning and discomfort during the procedure.

Innovation Solution

An image receptor support device with a concave central portion and rounded sides made of x-ray transparent material, featuring a recessed bottom surface and optional detachable comfort interface with heating elements, designed to reduce pressure and enhance patient comfort and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular plate shape is used for the image receptor support device, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it causes sharp edges that press into the patient's skin and create discomfort and bruising

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidpatient discomfort and skin pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp rectangular edges with rounded contours. The patient engagement side features a concave central portion with rounded left and right portions, eliminating sharp edges that cause skin pressure and discomfort while maintaining structural simplicity for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If a flat surface is used for the image receptor support device, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it causes excess pressure against the patient's body and rib cage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidpressure against patient body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a concave central portion on the patient engagement side, where the bottom surface is recessed from the top surface. This localized geometric modification reduces pressure against the patient's rib cage and abdomen in the central area while maintaining structural simplicity elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a standard rectangular image receptor support device is used, then the device is easy to position, but patients in wheelchairs find it difficult to position themselves properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice positioning easeVSAvoidaccommodation of different patient positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the patient engagement side with a concave central portion and rounded portions that can accommodate various patient positions and body types. This includes positioning for patients in wheelchairs, standing positions, and different breast sizes, making the device adaptable to multiple clinical scenarios while remaining easy to position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the image receptor support device has a cold surface, then the material properties are simple, but the procedure becomes more uncomfortable for the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial properties simplicityVSAvoidpatient discomfort from cold surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of the patient engagement side. The bottom surface is recessed from the top surface, creating a geometric parameter change that reduces cold surface contact area with the patient's body, thereby reducing thermal discomfort while maintaining simple material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device allows for more comfortable and effective breast placement over the image receptor, reducing pressure and discomfort, and improving diagnostic accuracy by accommodating various patient positions and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

X-rays pass through the breast tissue to create an image for examination. An image receptor support device typically comprises a substantially x-ray transparent material that allows the x-rays to pass through to the image receptor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray transmission: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS9226718B1Image receptor support device

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 BAXLEY ALICIA

AI summary

An image receptor support device having a more comfortable patient engagement side is described. The patient engagement side has a concave central portion, a rounded left portion and rounded right portion. A patient may more comfortably position their body against the interceptor support device and more effectively position a body part over and image receptor. An image receptor support device may be configured for mammograms, for example. An image receptor support device may comprise a comfort material such as a foam or elastomer that is compressible and not cold to the touch. A concave central portion may be centrally located between the left and right side or offset. In addition, the bottom surface of the patient engagement side may be recessed from the top surface. A patient engagement side may be configured to be a detachable interface with an existing image receptor support device.