Movable Patient Shield for Wide-Angle X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient shields in x-ray imaging systems are limited in their ability to accommodate wide-angle imaging positions, leading to increased patient discomfort and potential encroachment into the x-ray field, while also restricting technologist access for proper breast positioning during mammography and tomosynthesis procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient shield system with a sliding shield mechanism that is coupled to the compression arm assembly, allowing for arcuate movement and adjustable positioning relative to the x-ray tube head, enabling wider angle imaging without interfering with the x-ray beam and maintaining technologist access for proper breast immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a standard patient shield is used for mammography and tomosynthesis imaging, then patient radiation exposure is reduced, but the shield cannot accommodate wide-angle imaging positions and restricts technologist access for proper breast positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patient shield is made movable along an arcuate path instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to accommodate different imaging angles while maintaining radiation protection. The shield can be repositioned during the imaging process to adapt to wide-angle tomosynthesis positions without restricting technologist access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient shield system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides radiation protection during both mammography and wide-angle tomosynthesis imaging, while also serving as an adjustable component that does not restrict technologist access for breast positioning. The movable design allows a single shield to accommodate multiple imaging configurations.
2Area of stationary object
If the x-ray tube head rotates to wide-angle positions, then the imaging area is increased, but the patient shield interferes with the x-ray beam and creates image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patient shield is repositionable along an arcuate path that coordinates with the x-ray tube head rotation. During wide-angle tomosynthesis imaging, the shield can be moved to positions where it does not interfere with the x-ray beam path, thereby eliminating image artifacts while still providing radiation protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield positioning is extended from a single fixed position to movement along an arcuate path in a different dimensional space. This allows the shield to be relocated out of the x-ray beam path during wide-angle imaging while maintaining its protective function during standard imaging, resolving the conflict between imaging area and artifact generation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed patient shield is used, then patient radiation exposure is minimized, but patient comfort is reduced due to contact with moving components during wide-angle imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patient shield is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned away from the patient during wide-angle imaging sequences to improve comfort. The shield can be dynamically adjusted during the imaging process to minimize contact with moving components while maintaining radiation protection when the patient is stationary.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system (100) includes a gantry (126) and a compression arm assembly (104). The compression arm assembly (104) including a support arm (122) supporting a compression paddle (108), a platform (106), and an x-ray receptor (114). An x-ray tube head (124) includes an x-ray source (120). A patient shield system (138) is disposed between the compression paddle (108) and the x-ray source (120). The patient shield system (138) includes an arm (142), a carrier (144), a shield (140), and at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) supporting the shield (140) on the carrier (144). A 0° tube head angle is defined as the x-ray source (120) being orthogonal to the support platform (106), and the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) is positioned on the support arm (122) such that the at least one leg (416, 450, 475, 502) is between a ±8° and ±15° tube head angle.