Mammography PET Support Mat Segmentation for Pain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mammography PET apparatuses cause discomfort and pain to subjects due to the hard edges of the supporting mats, which are not adequately cushioned, leading to uneven pressure distribution and contact with the detector ring.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus with a supporting unit featuring a detector ring region higher than the detector-outside region, where an elastic lower-layer mat is placed on the detector-outside region and a softer upper-layer mat is placed on the detector ring region and the boundary between the two, to alleviate pain by covering the harder edge and allowing deeper insertion of the subject's breast into the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single mat is disposed on the supporting face as a cushion, then the subject can be supported, but the breast cannot be inserted deeply into the field of view and the subject must use own force to press the chest toward the detector ring
Solution Approach 1:
The single mat is segmented into two distinct mats: a first mat (softer) positioned at the detector ring region and a second mat (harder) positioned at the detector-outside region. This segmentation allows each mat to perform its specific function - the softer first mat enables deep breast insertion while the harder second mat provides structural support and distributes pressure, eliminating the need for the subject to exert pressing force.
2Ease of operation
If no mat is disposed, then the breast can be inserted deeply, but the subject contacts directly to the hard supporting face causing significant pain on sternum or outer edge
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the supporting face are assigned different mat properties: the detector ring region receives a softer first mat to enable deep insertion without pain, while the detector-outside region receives a harder second mat to provide structural support and distribute pressure away from the sternum and outer edges. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between insertion depth and pain prevention.
3Ease of operation
If a chest mat softer than outer mat is disposed to concentrate weight on chest, then pressing is facilitated and pain is alleviated, but the edge of the outer mat contacts the subject causing additional pain
Solution Approach 1:
The first mat and second mat are merged into a single integrated cushioning structure that works together to solve the problem. The softer first mat at the detector ring region facilitates chest pressing and alleviates pain, while the harder second mat at the detector-outside region provides structural support. Their combined action eliminates the harmful edge contact problem while maintaining the benefits of weight concentration on the chest.
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 solution effectively reduces pain by cushioning the harder edges of the mats and allowing deeper breast insertion into the detector ring's field of view, enhancing the comfort and accuracy of the imaging process.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic lower-layer mat (31) is disposed on the detector-outside region (4b), and an upper-layer mat (33) softer than the lower-layer mat (31) is disposed on the detector ring region (4a) and the lower-layer mat (31) across a boundary between the detector ring region (4a) and the lower-layer mat (31)
Data Source
AI summary
With a mammography PET apparatus, a supporting face includes a detector ring region, and a detector-outside region as an outside area of the detector ring region. The detector ring region is higher than the detector-outside region. An elastic lower-layer mat is disposed on the detector-outside region. An upper-layer mat, softer than the lower-layer mat, is disposed on the detector ring region and the lower-layer mat across a boundary between the detector ring region and the lower-layer mat. Accordingly, an edge of the lower-layer mat harder than the upper-layer mat is covered with the upper-layer mat, leading to alleviation of pain to a subject M caused by the edge of the lower-layer mat.