Mammography Compression Plate Guide Member for Ultrasound Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression plates for mammography apparatuses do not effectively prevent scanning omissions when using an ultrasound probe, as they lack guide members that ensure partial overlap of effective image regions during scanning.
Innovation Solution
A compression plate with a guide member that includes multiple guide parts (first, second, and third guide parts) to guide the ultrasound probe along specific scanning paths, ensuring that effective image regions partially overlap, thereby preventing scanning omissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single linear guide member is used to guide the ultrasound probe, then the guide member structure is simple, but scanning omission occurs and complete coverage cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into multiple guide parts (first guide part, second guide part, third guide part) that guide the ultrasound probe along different scanning paths. Each guide part corresponds to a specific scanning direction, and together they ensure complete coverage of the examination area without scanning omissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member transitions from a single linear path to a multi-dimensional scanning system with multiple guide parts arranged in different orientations. This allows the ultrasound probe to scan along multiple paths (first scanning path, second scanning path, third scanning path) that collectively cover the entire examination area.
2Reliability
If multiple guide parts are added to ensure overlapping scanning paths, then scanning omission is prevented, but the guide member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into multiple functional guide parts, each responsible for a specific scanning path. The first guide part guides along the first scanning path, the second guide part guides along the second scanning path, and the third guide part guides along the third scanning path, with effective image regions that partially overlap to ensure complete coverage.
3Ease of operation
If the ultrasound probe scans without visual feedback on the compression plate, then the operation is simpler, but it is unclear which part is scanned at what angle
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary that provides tactile and visual feedback to the operator. The guide parts physically guide the ultrasound probe along predetermined paths, ensuring that the probe scans the correct areas at the correct angles without requiring the operator to visually monitor the compression plate during scanning.
Data Source
AI summary
A compression plate includes a body part having a box shape with an open top, and a guide member that guides an ultrasound probe along a scanning direction of the ultrasound probe. The guide member includes a first guide part that guides the ultrasound probe along a first scanning path, and a second guide part that guides the ultrasound probe along a second scanning path. The first guide part and the second guide part are disposed such that effective image regions of the ultrasound probe partially overlap each other in a case in which scanning using the ultrasound probe is performed along the first scanning path and the second scanning path.