Heatable Laminated Compression Plate for Mammography
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical imaging procedures, such as mammography, the cold contact surface between the patient's breast and the compression plate causes discomfort due to the temperature difference between the patient's body and the ambient temperature of the equipment, leading to an unpleasant experience for patients.
Innovation Solution
A heatable laminated structure is integrated into the compression plate system, comprising layers transparent to imaging radiation, with an electrically resistive heater layer and a conductive path for thermal transfer, allowing the surface to be heated before or during contact with the patient, maintaining image quality without discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating pad is placed on the breast platform to heat it up, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity and preparation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the compression plate structure, merging the heating function with the existing compression mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate heating pads and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to heat the contact surface to comfortable temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plate serves dual functions: compression and heating. By incorporating the heating element within the plate itself, the system performs self-heating without requiring external heating devices or additional preparation steps, thereby simplifying the overall system while improving patient comfort
2Temperature
If the contact surface is heated to body temperature, then patient comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when needed to maintain comfortable temperature during patient contact. This intermittent operation reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring the contact surface is warm when the patient needs it
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters such as power level and duration based on actual temperature needs and usage conditions. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves effective heating with minimal energy waste, balancing patient comfort with energy efficiency
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 heatable system effectively warms the contact surface to body temperature, enhancing patient comfort during medical imaging procedures without compromising the quality of the acquired image data.
Implementation Method 1
A heater layer, located between two of the plurality of layers, comprises an electrically resistive material and is transparent to imaging radiation
Implementation Method 2
The laminated structure further includes a conductive path suitable for use in coupling a voltage source to the electrically resistive material in the heatable laminated structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a heatable system suitable for use in a patient contacting plate used in medical imaging. The system comprises a heatable laminated structure with a plurality of layers each of which is transparent to imaging radiation and allows for thermal transfer. A heater layer, located between two of the plurality of layers, comprises an electrically resistive material and is transparent to imaging radiation. The laminated structure further includes a conductive path suitable for use in coupling a voltage source to the electrically resistive material in the heatable laminated structure, whereby the laminated structure is heated when current is passing through the conductive path. Also disclosed is a compression plate system and an imaging medical device comprising the heatable system. Methods of making the heatable system and of using it in medical imaging are also disclosed.