Mammography Press Plate Slit Design for Uniform Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mammography press plates lack appropriate flexibility and deflection, leading to uneven compression forces and increased pain for examinees, due to limited flexibility at the reinforcement plate section and higher rigidity at corner portions, which results in distortion when compression force is applied.
Innovation Solution
A press plate design featuring a plate-shaped press portion with slits and corner portion slits that allow for resilient deformation, including a first slit along one edge, second slits along other edges, and corner slits connecting to the first slit, which reduce rigidity and facilitate uniform compression force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the press plate is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the strength and stability are improved, but the flexibility and deflection capability deteriorate, causing uneven compression force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The press plate is divided into multiple wall portions (first wall portion, second wall portions) with slits between them, creating segmented structures that can deflect independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation allows the press plate to adapt to breast contours without compromising structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the press plate are designed with different rigidity characteristics. The corner portions are specifically designed with corner portion slits to reduce rigidity where needed, while other areas maintain appropriate structural strength. This local differentiation enables uniform compression force distribution across the press plate surface.
2Strength
If the corner portions are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the flexibility at corner portions deteriorates, causing compression force concentration and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
Corner portion slits are introduced to segment the corner regions, allowing them to deflect and adapt to the breast contour. This segmentation prevents compression force concentration at corner portions while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the press plate through the integrated wall portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner portions are designed with specific slit configurations to create local flexibility zones. These localized modifications enable the corner portions to distribute compression forces uniformly without compromising the structural integrity of the entire press plate assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are provided between the support plate section and press plate section to increase flexibility, then the deflection capability is improved, but distortion and twisting occur when compression force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple slits are provided in the wall portions to create segmented flexibility zones. This segmentation allows controlled deflection in specific areas while maintaining overall structural stability, preventing distortion and twisting that would occur with large continuous gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
Slits are strategically positioned in specific wall portions to create localized flexibility zones. This local quality approach enables the press plate to deflect appropriately in areas where needed while maintaining structural stability in other areas, preventing distortion and twisting during compression.
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 press plate achieves appropriate deflection and uniform compression, reducing pain and distortion, while ensuring the breast is adequately compressed and imaged.
Implementation Method 1
a plate shaped press portion (32) that is capable of resilient deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A press plate that includes: a plate shaped press portion that is capable of resilient deformation; a first slit that is provided to a first wall portion of a support body with length direction along a first edge portion of the press portion, and that penetrates the first wall portion; second slits that are provided to a second wall portions of the support body with length direction along second edge portions of the press portion, and that penetrate the second wall portions; and a first corner portion slit that is provided straddling a corner portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion and penetrating the corner portion, that is connected to the first slit, and that is disposed at a separation to the second slit.