Mammography Compression Plate with Deformable Chest Wall Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to perform an ultrasound examination on the chest wall side while enabling X-ray imaging without moving the position of the compression plate's chest wall surface in mammography, as the existing compression plates hinder close contact between the ultrasound probe and the chest wall due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A compression plate with a low rigidity portion that can deform, allowing the ultrasound probe to move closer to the chest wall while maintaining X-ray imaging capabilities, and optionally incorporating an intermediate member or an open surface for improved accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the compression plate is positioned to maximize X-ray imaging range, then the imaging range is improved, but the ultrasound probe cannot be brought into close contact with the chest wall
Solution Approach 1:
The compression plate is divided into a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The rigid portion maintains the overall position and imaging range, while the flexible portion can deform to allow ultrasound probe access to the chest wall, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining imaging range and enabling probe accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the compression plate have different rigidity characteristics. The rigid portion preserves the chest wall surface position for X-ray imaging, while the flexible portion allows local deformation for ultrasound examination, enabling both functions to coexist without compromising either imaging range or probe accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the compression plate is moved toward the chest wall to improve ultrasound accessibility, then the probe can contact the chest wall, but the examinee cannot contact the imaging table and imaging range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The compression plate is segmented into rigid and flexible portions. The rigid portion remains stationary to maintain the examinee's contact with the imaging table and preserve imaging range, while the flexible portion deforms locally to enable ultrasound probe accessibility to the chest wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plate transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the flexible portion can deform on demand. This allows the plate to adapt its shape during ultrasound examination while maintaining its overall position for X-ray imaging, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and imaging range.
3Area of stationary object
If a rigid compression plate is used, then the imaging range is maintained, but the ultrasound probe cannot access the chest wall due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The compression plate is divided into rigid and flexible portions. The rigid portion maintains the imaging range, while the flexible portion can deform to create additional space for the ultrasound probe to access the chest wall, thus resolving the volume/space contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion of the compression plate acts as a deformable element that can be compressed or shaped to create necessary space for the ultrasound probe, while the rigid portion maintains the overall imaging geometry, enabling both functions to coexist.
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
Enables ultrasound examination of the chest wall while maintaining the imaging range for X-ray imaging without relocating the compression plate, enhancing the accessibility and accuracy of both imaging modalities.
Implementation Method 1
the low rigidity portion is made of an elastically deformable member
Data Source
AI summary
A compression plate includes a wall surface portion facing a chest wall of an examinee and a bottom surface portion connected to the wall surface portion, and at least a part of the wall surface portion is a low rigidity portion that extends from the bottom surface portion. The low rigidity portion has a lower rigidity than other portions of the compression plate.