Mammography Apparatus Dynamic Table Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mammography apparatuses face challenges in obtaining clear breast images with reduced burden on subjects, as they struggle to accurately position breasts of varying sizes on the object table, leading to blurred or distorted images due to improper radiation alignment and compression paddle size issues.

Innovation Solution

The mammography apparatus incorporates a breast size detection system and relative position changing mechanism to adjust the radiation irradiation section and object table, ensuring perpendicular radiation transmission through the breast's central region, using a compression paddle of appropriate size and adjusting the object table height and inclination to maintain proper breast positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large object table is used to image a large breast, then the breast can be properly positioned, but the apparatus cannot invariably place small breasts on the center of the object table, leading to blurred or distorted images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different breast sizesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The object table is made movable along the arm to dynamically adjust its position. The table can be shifted to align with the breast center regardless of breast size, enabling both large and small breasts to be properly positioned on the same table without causing image blur or distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A position detection means acts as an intermediary to detect breast position and provide feedback to the control means, which then adjusts the object table position accordingly. This intermediary system enables automatic adaptation to different breast sizes and positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the breast is pressed with too low pressure, then the breast tissue remains thick and overlapping, but if pressed with too high pressure, then the breast tissue may be damaged or improperly positioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast compression uniformityVSAvoidbreast tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pressing force detection means measures the actual compression force applied to the breast and provides feedback to the control means. The system automatically adjusts the compression to maintain optimal pressure, ensuring uniform breast compression without causing tissue damage or improper positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing force is dynamically adjusted based on detected breast characteristics. The system changes the compression parameter to match the specific breast size and density, achieving optimal compression uniformity while preventing tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the breast position is not accurately centered on the object table, then the radiation cannot be perpendicular to the breast, causing blurred or distorted images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast centering accuracyVSAvoidradiation dose measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The position detection means detects and identifies the breast center position before radiation imaging begins. The control means pre-adjusts the object table position to center the breast, ensuring that subsequent radiation is perpendicular to the breast and avoiding image blur or distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The position detection means serves as an intermediary that detects breast position and provides information to the control means, which then adjusts the object table. This intermediary system ensures accurate breast centering and perpendicular radiation alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables clear, distortion-free breast images by ensuring accurate breast positioning and radiation alignment, reducing the burden on subjects and improving image quality by using the appropriate compression paddle size and adjusting the object table's position accordingly.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation irradiation section for irradiating radiation on a breast of a subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a dose detector for detecting the dose of radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation section and transmitted through the breast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7443950B2Mammography apparatus

Publication Date: 2008.10.28 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A mammography apparatus capable of obtaining a clear breast image with reduced burden on the subject. The apparatus includes a radiation irradiation section and an object table connected to an arm such that they face each other, and the breast pressed on the object table using a compression paddle is imaged by rotating the arm according to the imaging direction. In the apparatus, the size of the breast is detected, and the relative position between the radiation irradiation section and object table is changed along the side of the object table facing the chest wall of the subject according to the detected size of the breast and the direction of rotation of the arm.