Mammography Compression Control Device for Heat and Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mammography apparatuses face challenges in accurately timing the projection image stop on the compression member's projection surface, leading to heat accumulation or inadequate breast positioning due to inconsistent projection times.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a processor that detects breast compression completion by monitoring the gap, thickness, or pressure stability over a predetermined period, allowing for precise timing of image projection cessation and irradiation initiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the projection time is extended to improve breast positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but heat accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast positioning accuracyVSAvoidheat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors compression completion status and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the projection stop timing, ensuring the projection stops at the optimal moment when positioning is complete but heat accumulation is minimized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of compression completion before stopping the projection, allowing the projection to continue just long enough to ensure proper positioning while preventing excessive heat generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If the projection time is shortened to reduce heat accumulation, then heat generation is reduced, but breast positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat accumulationVSAvoidbreast positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time feedback from compression status detection to determine the precise moment to stop projection, ensuring the shortest possible projection time that still achieves adequate positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of compression completion to know in advance when to stop the projection, allowing for optimized timing that balances positioning requirements with heat reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If automatic stop function is implemented to reduce heat accumulation, then heat generation is reduced, but stopping timing accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat accumulationVSAvoidstop timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic stop function uses real-time feedback from compression status detection to determine the precise stopping moment, achieving both heat reduction and accurate timing through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device autonomously monitors compression completion and automatically stops the projection at the appropriate timing without requiring manual intervention, ensuring consistent and accurate timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11918400B2Control device, control method, and control program

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A control device including: at least one processor that is configured to detect whether or not compression of a breast by a compression member in a mammography apparatus is completed and perform control to direct an image projection unit, which projects a projection image onto a projection surface of the compression member, to stop the projection of the projection image onto the projection surface in a case in which it is detected that the compression is completed.