Polymethylpentene Compression Plate for Stable 3D Medical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compression plates for medical imaging devices made of polymethylpentene suffer from abrasion, thermal deformation, and yellowing due to repeated use, affecting the accuracy and reliability of three-dimensional imaging.

Innovation Solution

A compression plate composed of a polymethylpentene resin-containing material with a bending elastic modulus of 1 GPa or more and a thermal deformation temperature of 100°C or higher, incorporating 1 to 300 ppm of sulfur elements, and limited olefin components to enhance rigidity and resistance to deformation and yellowing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If polymethylpentene is used as the compression plate material to achieve low rigidity and suitability for imaging, then the material is appropriate for the application, but the compression plate becomes prone to abrasion, thermal deformation, and yellowing during repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for medical imaging applicationVSAvoidresistance to abrasion, thermal deformation, and yellowing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of polymethylpentene by incorporating specific additives (antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and sulfur elements at 1-300 ppm) to change the material's resistance properties without altering its fundamental imaging suitability. This allows the same base material to gain enhanced durability against thermal deformation and yellowing during repeated use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining polymethylpentene with reinforcing fibers (glass fibers or carbon fibers at 1-30 wt%) and chemical additives. This composite structure provides both the low rigidity needed for imaging and enhanced resistance to abrasion, thermal deformation, and yellowing through the synergistic effects of the components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If the compression plate is subjected to repeated stress and heat from ultrasonic wave emission over long periods, then the imaging apparatus can be used repeatedly, but the compression plate becomes abraded, deformed, and yellowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated use capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity and color stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies protective measures in advance by incorporating antioxidants and UV stabilizers into the polymethylpentene material before use. These additives preemptively protect the material from oxidative degradation and UV-induced yellowing that would occur during repeated ultrasonic exposure, preventing damage before it happens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sulfur elements at 1-300 ppm as a protective cushioning agent that absorbs and mitigates the harmful effects of repeated stress and heat from ultrasonic wave emission. This preliminary protection prevents the material from degrading through abrasion, thermal deformation, and yellowing during extended use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4501241B1Compression plate for medical imaging device, polymethyl pentene resin-containing material, and medical imaging device

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 FUJIFILM CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

There are provided: a compression plate for a medical imaging apparatus, which is used in a medical imaging apparatus including a radiation generation unit, a radiation detection unit, an ultrasound probe, and an imaging table disposed between the radiation generation unit and the radiation detection unit and which is used for compressing a subject by sandwiching the subject between the imaging table and the compression plate, the compression plate for a medical imaging apparatus including a polymethylpentene resin-containing material having a bending elastic modulus of 1 GPa or more and a thermal deformation temperature of 100°C or higher, in which the polymethylpentene resin-containing material contains a polymethylpentene compound containing 1 to 300 ppm of a sulfur element based on mass; a polymethylpentene resin-containing material that is suitably used for the compression plate; and a medical imaging apparatus having the compression plate.