Light Assembly for Mammography Breast Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in mammography and breast tomosynthesis is the difficulty in positioning the patient's breast within the image receptor's field of view due to dim lighting in the imaging room, which complicates the process and increases procedure time and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a light assembly coupled to the support arm, including light sources and position markers, is used to illuminate the support platform and provide visual aids for proper breast positioning and compression, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the imaging procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the imaging room lighting is dimmed to increase patient comfort and reduce anxiety, then patient comfort is improved, but the technologist's ability to position the breast and identify imaging areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light sources as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for dim lighting (for patient comfort) and the need for adequate illumination (for technologist work). The light sources provide targeted illumination of the breast and imaging area without requiring overall room lighting, thus maintaining patient comfort while enabling proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing illumination only in specific areas (breast and imaging field) rather than uniformly lighting the entire room. This allows the imaging area to be well-lit for positioning while the rest of the room remains dim for patient comfort.
2Manufacturing precision
If the technologist manually manipulates the breast to position it correctly during compression, then proper tissue coverage is achieved, but the procedure time increases and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by providing visual guidance markers before and during the positioning process. The light sources and markers prepare the technologist with immediate visual feedback on breast position and imaging area boundaries, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial-and-error manipulation and allowing correct positioning from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through visual markers that provide real-time information to the technologist about breast positioning accuracy. The markers indicate whether the breast is properly positioned within the imaging field, allowing immediate correction if needed and confirming correct positioning without additional manipulation time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the technologist manipulates the breast to counter compression forces, then proper positioning is maintained, but patient discomfort and anxiety increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the breast to essentially position itself through visual guidance. The light markers show the technologist where the breast should be positioned, reducing the need for forceful manual manipulation to counter compression forces. The breast tissue can be gently guided into position rather than being forcefully held or repositioned during compression.
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
The light assembly improves breast positioning and compression accuracy, reducing patient discomfort and anxiety by providing clear visual markers, thus increasing the efficiency and reducing the need for re-compression and unnecessary x-ray exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a light assembly coupled to the support arm and disposed above the compression paddle, wherein the light assembly is configured to direct one or more beams of light towards the support platform
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An imaging system includes an x-ray tube head, a support arm, and a compression system coupled to the support arm. The compression system is independently rotatable relative to the x-ray tube head and includes a compression paddle, a support platform, and an x-ray receptor. The imaging system also includes a light assembly coupled to the support arm and disposed above the compression paddle. The light assembly is configured to direct one or more beams of light towards the support platform.