Dynamic Compression Force Control in Mammography Tomosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mammography apparatuses cause pain to subjects due to breast compression, and existing techniques only partially alleviate this discomfort during simple and tomosynthesis imaging.
Innovation Solution
A radiography system with a mammography apparatus and a control device that adjusts the compression force of a compression member between radiation source and detector, allowing for continuous imaging by changing the compression force from a first force to a second force after initial imaging, optimizing comfort during both simple and tomosynthesis imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the breast is compressed by a compression member during imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but subject pain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression member's force is dynamically adjusted during continuous imaging. The control device changes the compression force from a first force during the first imaging to a second force (lower than the first force) during the second imaging, making the compression level adaptable rather than fixed throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force parameter is changed between imaging sequences. By reducing the compression force parameter from the first force to the second force after the first imaging, the system maintains imaging quality while reducing the harmful effect of subject pain during subsequent imaging
2Productivity
If continuous imaging is performed with constant compression force, then imaging efficiency is improved, but subject discomfort increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force is applied periodically with variation. The system applies a first compression force during the first imaging, then reduces to a second compression force for the second imaging, creating a periodic pattern of compression that maintains imaging efficiency while periodically reducing subject discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The compression system transitions from a static constant force approach to a dynamic variable force approach, where the control device actively adjusts the compression member's force based on the imaging sequence stage, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing cumulative discomfort
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
Effectively reduces subject pain by dynamically adjusting compression forces during imaging procedures, maintaining tissue development and reducing imaging time-related discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
A mammography apparatus that includes a radiation source, a radiation detector, and a compression member which compresses a breast disposed between the radiation source and the radiation detector
Data Source
AI summary
A radiography system includes a mammography apparatus and a control device including a compression control unit that, in a case of performing continuous imaging in which the simple imaging and the tomosynthesis imaging are continuously performed while the breast being compressed by the mammography apparatus, performs control to cause a compression member to compress the breast at a first force in a first imaging of the simple imaging or the tomosynthesis imaging that is performed first in the continuous imaging, to change a force of the compression member compressing the breast from the first force to a second force lower than the first force after the first imaging, and to cause the compression member to compress the breast at the second force in a second imaging that is performed later.