Mammography Compression Control Using Pressure by Contact Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mammography systems face challenges in achieving a suitable compression position for breasts, leading to varying sensations of discomfort due to individual breast differences, despite operator adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and device that automatically set a target compression position by determining a reference area value based on individual breast characteristics, using force and position values, and adjusting pressure accordingly to ensure comfort and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fixed threshold value for compression force gradient is used, then the compression process can be automated, but individual comfort requirements cannot be met due to breast size differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the compression threshold parameter based on the detected breast thickness. Instead of using a fixed threshold value, the threshold is adapted to match the individual patient's breast characteristics, allowing automated compression while accommodating individual comfort requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the compression force sensor and position detector to monitor the compression process. The detected breast thickness and compression force are continuously fed back to the control device, which adjusts the compression threshold accordingly to achieve both automation and individual comfort.
2Manufacturing precision
If compression force is increased to improve image quality, then tissue overlap is reduced, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the compression force parameter by calculating an individualized threshold based on breast thickness. This ensures that sufficient compression is applied to reduce tissue overlap and improve image quality, while avoiding excessive force that would cause patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual operator judgment with an automated control system that uses sensor data and algorithms to determine the optimal compression force. This substitution allows for more precise control of compression parameters, balancing image quality requirements with patient comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment by operator is used, then individual comfort can be addressed, but automation and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically determining the optimal compression parameters based on sensor measurements of the patient's breast. The control device autonomously calculates and applies the appropriate compression force without requiring manual operator intervention, maintaining both automation and individual adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system uses continuous feedback from position detectors and force sensors to monitor compression progress and adjust parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to individual patient characteristics, replacing manual adjustment while maintaining consistency and automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for operating a mammography device (12), which comprises: - a slide (15) for a specimen to be examined, - a compression device associated with the slide (15) with at least one movable compression plate (18), to which an actuator (20) for moving the compression plate (18) is assigned, - at least one position detection means (21) for detecting a position value that describes the current position of the movable compression plate (18), and at least one force detection means (22) for detecting a force value that describes the force exerted by the compression plate (18), and - a control device (23) for automatically setting a target compression position of the movable compression plate (18) for a specimen by controlling the actuator (20) depending on the position value.the force value and a predetermined threshold value, wherein the method comprises the following steps for automatically setting a compression of the object under investigation for a recording process: - Determining a reference area value, which describes an assumed contact area between the compressed object under investigation and the movable compression plate (18) in the target compression position, using the force value and the position value at at least one reference time, - Compressing the object under investigation by controlling the actuator (20) until a termination condition is met, wherein the termination condition describes the achievement of a predetermined target pressure by the force value relative to the reference area value.