Mammography Compression Plate Periodic Decompression Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mammography apparatuses cause pain during breast compression due to increased compression force, and existing solutions do not adequately address the persistent pain issue even when force adjustment is implemented.

Innovation Solution

A mammography apparatus with a control unit that moves a compression plate to a first position and then a second position, where the breast thickness is changed by a predetermined value, to reduce compression force and alleviate pain, using a compression force detection unit and varying moving speeds based on breast type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the compression force is increased to improve the quality of radiographic image, then the image quality is improved, but the subject's pain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsubject's pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compression plate performs periodic compression and decompression actions. After compressing the breast to a first position for imaging, the plate moves to a second position (decompressing by a predetermined value or more) and then returns to the first position. This periodic action allows the breast tissue to recover partially between compression cycles, reducing cumulative pain while maintaining adequate compression for image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the compression plate position between a first position (for imaging) and a second position (for decompression). The control unit manages this dynamic movement based on detected breast thickness, optimizing the balance between compression force needed for image quality and decompression needed to reduce subject pain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the compression force is adjusted according to breast thickness to prevent pain, then the subject's pain is prevented, but the technique is insufficient to reduce persistent pain caused by continuous compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubject's painVSAvoidpain reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic decompression by moving the compression plate to a second position that is a predetermined value or more away from the first position. This periodic release of compression force allows persistent pain to subside while maintaining the ability to re-compress for additional imaging if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit detects breast thickness in advance and uses this information to determine the appropriate decompression distance (predetermined value) before performing the compression cycle. This preliminary detection allows the system to pre-calculate the optimal decompression amount to effectively reduce persistent pain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the compression plate is moved frequently to reduce pain, then the subject's pain is reduced, but the imaging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubject's painVSAvoidimaging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the compression parameter by moving the plate to a second position that is a predetermined value or more from the first position. This parameter change (decompression distance) is optimized to reduce pain while minimizing the time spent in the decompressed state, thus balancing pain relief with imaging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the compression force is reduced to alleviate pain, then the subject's pain is reduced, but the quality of radiographic image may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubject's painVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains image quality by periodically returning the compression plate to the first position where adequate compression force is applied for radiographic imaging. The periodic decompression to the second position reduces pain, while the periodic return to the first position ensures image quality is maintained when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically manages compression force by switching between the first position (adequate compression for image quality) and the second position (reduced compression for pain relief). This dynamic control allows the system to optimize both image quality and subject comfort throughout the imaging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10448917B2Mammography apparatus, control device, mammography apparatus control method, and mammography apparatus control program

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A mammography apparatus includes: a compression plate that compresses a breast; a moving unit that moves the compression plate in a compression direction in which the breast is compressed and a decompression direction in which the breast is decompressed; a radiation source that emits radiation; and a control unit that controls the moving unit such that the compression plate is moved to a first position in the compression direction, is moved to a second position where the position of the compression plate is changed from the first position by a predetermined variation or more in the decompression direction, and is stopped and performs control such that the radiation is emitted from the radiation source to the breast.