Foam Breast Compression Thickness Sensing for Exposure Control

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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 fail to accurately determine breast thickness with foam compressive elements, affecting image quality and patient compliance.

Innovation Solution

A breast imaging system using a foam compressive element with integrated force sensors measures breast thickness by detecting force deflection, enabling accurate automatic exposure control and reducing discomfort through conformable compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid compression paddle is used to compress the breast, then the breast is immobilized and tissues are spread out for imaging, but the patient experiences discomfort and may move, negatively impacting image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast immobilizationVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional rigid compression paddle with a foam compression element that has flexible properties. The foam material can deform and conform to the breast shape while providing sufficient compression force, thereby reducing patient discomfort and preventing movement artifacts while maintaining reliable breast immobilization for imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the compression element by using foam material with specific density and compressibility characteristics. The foam provides a more compliant contact surface that adapts to the breast contours, distributing compression forces more uniformly and reducing localized pressure points that cause discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If foam compressive elements are used to reduce patient discomfort, then compression is more conformable and comfortable, but the breast thickness cannot be accurately determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidbreast thickness measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement methods with a sensor-based detection system. Force sensors embedded in or near the foam element detect compression forces, and this information is used to calculate breast thickness through computational algorithms, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the comfort benefits of foam compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces force sensors as an intermediary between the foam compression element and the measurement system. These sensors detect the compression forces generated by the foam against the breast, and this force data is processed to determine breast thickness, allowing the foam's conformable properties to be maintained while enabling accurate thickness measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If standard compression methods are used, then the imaging process is simple, but the x-ray dose cannot be optimized for the densest breast areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging process complexityVSAvoidx-ray dose optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates force sensors that continuously monitor compression forces during the imaging process. This feedback information about the actual compression state and breast density distribution is used to dynamically adjust x-ray exposure parameters, optimizing the radiation dose to match the varying tissue density across different breast regions while maintaining image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the x-ray exposure parameters dynamic rather than static. The exposure settings are adjusted in real-time based on feedback from the force sensors and the detected breast compression state, allowing the system to optimize dose delivery for each specific breast anatomy and compression level during the imaging procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system provides comfortable and precise breast compression, ensuring optimal x-ray dose delivery to the densest breast areas, improving image quality and patient experience.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a force signal at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce deflection detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12484870B2Systems and methods for measuring thickness of foam compressive elements

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 HOLOGIC INC

AI summary

A method of imaging a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes supporting the breast on a breast support platform. A compressive force is applied to the breast with a breast immobilization element including a rigid substrate, a foam compressive element secured below the rigid substrate, and a force sensor. The foam compressive element is in contact with the breast during application of the compressive force. A force signal is detected at the force sensor based on the applied compressive force. A compressed thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor is determined based at least in part on the detected force signal at the force sensor. An automatic exposure control is set based at least in part on the determined thickness of the breast proximate the force sensor.