Mammography Protective Shield Layout for X-Ray Tube Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mammography systems pose a risk of collision between the moving X-ray tube and the patient's head during examinations, particularly in 3D acquisitions, due to the close proximity and high-speed movement of the X-ray tube at head height.
Innovation Solution
A mammography system with a protective unit that includes a U-shaped structure with a rotatable arm supporting a protective shield, which remains stationary during acquisitions to prevent collisions by following the movement of the X-ray source, and incorporates sensors for collision detection and automatic adjustments to ensure patient safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the X-ray tube moves at high speed during tomosynthesis acquisition, then the imaging speed and productivity are improved, but the risk of collision with the patient's head increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the moving X-ray tube and the patient's head. This protective unit includes a protective shield that extends into the movement path of the X-ray tube, physically blocking potential collisions while allowing the X-ray tube to continue its high-speed movement for tomosynthesis imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective unit is designed as a separate, independently movable component that can be adjusted and positioned independently from both the X-ray tube and the patient positioning system. This segmentation allows the protective shield to be precisely positioned in the critical collision zone without interfering with the high-speed imaging process.
2Device complexity
If the protective shield is fixed in position, then the collision protection is simplified, but the adaptability to different patient head positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be adjusted to different positions and angles. The protective unit can be moved independently to adapt to various patient head positions and examination requirements, providing both simplicity when fixed and adaptability when adjustment is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective unit serves multiple functions: it provides collision protection, can be adjusted for different patient anatomies, and can be positioned for various examination types. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle diverse clinical scenarios without requiring multiple specialized protective components.
3Reliability
If the protective unit is added to the system, then the patient safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective unit is designed to be self-adjusting and self-positioning through integrated sensors and control mechanisms. The system can automatically detect the patient's head position and adjust the protective shield accordingly, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the operational complexity despite the added hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective shield is positioned and configured before the examination begins, establishing the safety barrier in advance. This preliminary setup allows the main imaging system to operate without needing to continuously adjust protective elements during the high-speed tomosynthesis acquisition, thereby limiting complexity increases to the setup phase only.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mammography system having a stand unit for locating the mammography system on the floor; an L-shaped source unit, the L-shaped source unit including an arm connected to an X-ray detector in a rotatably mounted manner on a front face of the stand unit, and another arm of the L-shaped source unit protrudes substantially perpendicularly, an X-ray source being located at an end of the source unit remote from the stand unit; and a substantially U-shaped protective unit.