Mammography Distance Sensing for Breast Compression Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mammography imaging systems face challenges in accurately determining breast compression force and positioning, leading to patient discomfort and suboptimal image quality, and require complex and costly vision systems for component and patient location detection, which can increase radiation exposure and patient anxiety.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distance and location sensing system using ultrasound, MEMS radar, or time-of-flight sensing devices to provide accurate distance and position information, reducing complexity and cost, and eliminating the need for visible spectrum imaging, thereby enhancing patient comfort and imaging precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex vision systems are used to detect component and patient location, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical vision systems with simpler ultrasonic sensing devices to detect the position of the compression paddle and breast. The ultrasonic sensor measures distance by emitting sound waves and detecting their echo, providing accurate positioning information without the complexity of cameras, lenses, and image processing systems. This substitution maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive ultrasonic sensing devices instead of expensive vision systems. These simple distance sensors provide the necessary positioning data at a fraction of the cost of complex optical systems, making the overall device more affordable and accessible while maintaining adequate measurement precision for clinical purposes.
2Measurement precision
If greater compression forces are applied to reduce breast thickness, then image quality is improved and radiation dosage is reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using ultrasonic sensors to continuously monitor the distance between the compression paddle and breast in real-time. This distance information serves as feedback to automatically adjust the compression force, ensuring optimal compression is applied to achieve high-quality images with reduced radiation dosage while preventing excessive force that would cause patient discomfort. The system dynamically balances image quality and patient comfort through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual compression control with automated ultrasonic-based control systems. The ultrasonic distance measurements enable precise, objective control of compression force, eliminating the subjectivity and variability of manual adjustment. This automated system consistently achieves optimal compression levels that balance image quality requirements with patient comfort, reducing the occurrence of both under-compression and over-compression.
3Measurement precision
If visible spectrum imaging systems are used to detect patient location, then positioning information is obtained, but patient anxiety increases due to visible imaging during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes visible light-based imaging systems with ultrasonic sensing devices that operate using sound waves beyond human hearing range. The ultrasonic sensors emit high-frequency sound waves and detect their echoes to determine distance and position, providing accurate positioning information without capturing visible images of the patient. This eliminates the psychological distress and anxiety associated with being visually imaged during sensitive medical procedures while maintaining the necessary measurement precision for proper positioning.
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
This solution allows for more precise control of breast compression, improved image quality, reduced patient discomfort, and decreased radiation exposure by providing accurate positioning and location information without the need for complex vision systems, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and comfort of mammography procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing device only measures the elapsed time between the emission of the wave or radiation from the sensing device and the detection of the reflected wave or radiation.
Implementation Method 2
the sensing device only measures the elapsed time between the emission of the wave or radiation from the sensing device and the detection of the reflected wave or radiation
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, an imaging device or system, e.g., a mammography imaging system or device, includes a distance and location sensing system on the imaging system/e to provide accurate distance and position information from one or more sensing device(s) constituting the system that measure the elapsed time between the emission of the wave or radiation from the sensing device and the detection of the reflected wave or radiation. Examples of the types of sensing devices include ultrasound sensing devices, MEMS radar devices and time-of-flight (ToF) sensing devices. The distance information can be employed to determine the relative positions to produce a distance map illustrating the position and shape of any objects sensed within the zone by the sensing device(s), to determine the rate of change of the positions, i.e., the speed, of the objects relative to one another for use in controlling movement of various components of the imaging system, and to determine the shape of the object and changes in the shape of the object.