Foam Breast Compression Paddle Motion Detection in Mammography
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of foam compressive elements in breast compression paddles for mammography and tomosynthesis reduces patient discomfort but poses challenges in maintaining breast stability during imaging, leading to potential movement that compromises image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of markers on the foam compressive element to detect movement, allowing for real-time detection and notification of excessive breast movement, ensuring diagnostically relevant images are obtained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam compressive elements are used in breast compression paddles, then patient discomfort is reduced, but breast stability during imaging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses markers with specific radiographic appearance (analogous to color changes) that allow detection of breast movement. These markers are embedded in the foam compressive element and have distinct radiographic properties that enable their position to be tracked and compared between images to detect movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing the position of markers in different images and generating alerts when movement exceeds thresholds. This feedback mechanism allows real-time monitoring of breast stability during imaging and enables corrective actions if movement is detected.
2Measurement precision
If markers are added to detect movement, then measurement precision of breast movement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The markers serve as intermediaries between the breast tissue and the imaging system. Instead of directly measuring complex breast movement, the markers provide simple, detectable reference points that mediate the measurement process, making movement detection more precise while keeping the implementation relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing radiographic imaging process to create copies (images) that contain marker position information. By analyzing these existing image copies, the system derives movement information without requiring separate specialized measurement devices, thus avoiding additional hardware complexity.
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
Ensures high-quality images by detecting and addressing breast movement during imaging, thereby improving the effectiveness of foam-based compression paddles.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam compressive element and a marker disposed adjacent the foam compressive element; detecting the x-ray energy at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A method of imaging a breast compressed with a paddle including a foam compressive element. The method emits an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam compressive element and a marker disposed adjacent the foam compressive element. The x-ray energy is emitted over a predetermined time period. The marker includes a physical characteristic. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast and the marker is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. The marker in the generated image includes an image characteristic associated with the physical characteristic. The image characteristic is compared to the physical characteristic. A signal is sent when the image characteristic deviates from the physical characteristic by a threshold.