Mammography Compression Control With Haptic Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mammography apparatuses require manual adjustment of compression force, leading to visual multitasking and indirect feedback loops, which can result in suboptimal concentration and increased burden on the operator, as they rely on patient feedback for pain tolerance.
Innovation Solution
A mammography apparatus with an actuator that provides haptic feedback based on compression information, using actuators to output vibration, pulse, or change in actuation resistance, allowing operators to intuitively feel the compression force and its changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of compression force is used, then the operator can control the compression force, but the operator must visually monitor the display and patient simultaneously, leading to increased burden and suboptimal concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback through an actuator that provides tactile sensation to the operator's foot via the foot pedal. The actuator generates forces proportional to the compression force applied to the breast, allowing the operator to feel the compression level directly through the pedal rather than visually monitoring a display. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by providing intuitive tactile information about compression force while the operator maintains visual attention on the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with a haptic/m mechanical feedback system. Instead of relying on visual observation of a display screen, the operator receives direct mechanical feedback through the foot pedal via the actuator. This substitution eliminates the need for visual multitasking and reduces operator burden by providing intuitive tactile information about compression force levels.
2Measurement precision
If the operating person monitors the display continuously, then the compression force can be tracked, but the concentration on the examination person decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback system provides continuous tactile information about compression force through the foot pedal, allowing the operator to monitor compression levels without visual distraction. The actuator generates forces that reflect the current compression state, enabling precise monitoring while maintaining full visual attention on the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential information state where the compression force information is equally accessible through both tactile (haptic) and visual channels. By making the tactile channel sufficient and intuitive, the operator can choose to focus visually on the patient without losing awareness of compression levels, as the haptic feedback provides equivalent information quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If indirect feedback loop through patient feedback is used, then the compression force can be adjusted, but the operator does not feel the compression force directly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements direct haptic feedback by coupling the actuator to the foot pedal, which the operator's foot contacts. The actuator generates forces that are directly proportional to the compression force applied to the breast, creating an intuitive tactile connection between the operator's input and the actual compression effect. This eliminates the indirect feedback loop and provides immediate, intuitive sensory information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the feedback information into distinct tactile components through the actuator, allowing the operator to perceive different aspects of compression force through haptic sensation. The actuator can provide differentiated feedback for compression magnitude, rate of change, and threshold conditions, enabling versatile compression control through intuitive tactile interaction.
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
Enables operators to focus on the examination without needing to monitor displays, providing precise and gentle control of compression force, enhancing patient comfort and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator has a motor arrangement for providing the vibration and/or the pulse
Implementation Method 2
the actuator has a setting element for setting the actuation resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A mammography apparatus, comprises: a control device; an object support for placement of a breast of a patient; a compression device to compress the breast arranged on the object support; at least one operating element to at least one of increase or decrease a compression force acting upon the breast; and an acquisition device to acquire an item of compression information describing the compression force currently acting on the breast. The at least one operating element includes an actuator to output haptic information. The control device is configured to activate the actuator based on the item of compression information to generate haptic feedback.