Foam Compression Paddle for Breast Thickness Imaging Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast compression methods for mammography and tomosynthesis cause patient discomfort due to non-uniform force distribution and may result in image quality issues, such as breast movement and incomplete tissue imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a breast compression paddle with a compressive foam material that conforms to the breast shape, allowing for partial compression and improved visibility, combined with features like removable portions and multiple foam densities to enhance comfort and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid compression paddle is used to compress the breast, then the breast is immobilized and tissue is spread out for imaging, but patient discomfort increases and tissue coverage may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid compression paddle with a flexible foam compression element that conforms to the breast shape. This flexible foam material provides gentle compression while maintaining breast immobilization, thereby reducing patient discomfort while achieving the necessary stabilization for imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the compression element from rigid to flexible foam material with varying density. This parameter change allows the compression element to adapt to different breast sizes and shapes, providing uniform compression force distribution that reduces discomfort while maintaining effective immobilization.
2Reliability
If strong compression force is applied to immobilize the breast, then image blurring is reduced, but patient discomfort increases and may cause movement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam compression element distributes compression force uniformly across the breast surface through its conformable nature. This uniform force distribution achieves sufficient immobilization to prevent image blurring while avoiding the high localized pressures that cause patient discomfort and potential movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite foam structures with different density regions - higher density foam provides firm compression for immobilization where needed, while lower density foam provides cushioning in sensitive areas. This composite approach achieves effective immobilization with reduced overall compression force, thereby improving image quality while reducing patient discomfort.
3Reliability
If uniform compression is applied across the entire breast, then image exposure uniformity is improved, but breast tissue may be pushed toward the chest wall and out of the image field
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam compression element conforms to the natural curvature of the breast, providing uniform compression across the breast surface without creating pressure points that push tissue toward the chest wall. This conformable compression maintains even tissue distribution within the image field while achieving uniform exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs foam with spatially varying density - higher density regions provide compression in areas requiring immobilization, while lower density regions allow tissue to remain within the image field. This local variation in compression quality achieves exposure uniformity while preserving complete tissue coverage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick layer of foam is used to reduce discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but the breast cannot be adequately compressed for imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite foam structure with higher density foam layers providing firm compression for effective imaging, and lower density foam layers providing cushioning for patient comfort. This composite approach achieves adequate compression effectiveness without requiring excessive overall foam thickness, thereby maintaining both comfort and imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam compression element has spatially varying density - higher density regions provide strong compression where needed for imaging, while lower density regions provide comfort. This local quality variation allows the system to achieve effective compression with reduced overall thickness, balancing patient comfort with compression effectiveness.
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 solution reduces patient discomfort and improves image quality by stabilizing the breast without excessive flattening, enabling more uniform compression and better tissue coverage during imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a compression paddle with a compressive foam material that conforms to the breast shape
Implementation Method 2
The separation distance may be determined by an encoder, which may be a linear encoder, or by a proximity sensor
Implementation Method 3
making the breast thinner in the direction of x-ray flux and thereby reduces patient radiation exposure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.