Privacy Enclosure for Breast Cancer Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer screening devices lack privacy, which discourages women from undergoing screenings, especially in non-clinical settings and remote areas, limiting early detection of cancers.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a thermal camera mounted on a robotic arm within an enclosure that provides privacy through adjustable camera angles and automated screening, allowing for semi-automated or automated breast cancer analysis, and a software interface tool for tumor detection and classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal camera is used for breast cancer screening, then early detection capability is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates because the patient must undress in front of a technician
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the camera function from human observation. The thermal camera captures images that are processed automatically by algorithms, eliminating the need for a technician to visually examine the patient's exposed breast area. This segments the detection function from the privacy-violating human observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated image processing system as an intermediary between the thermal camera and the diagnostic decision. This intermediary processes the thermal images automatically, removing the need for direct human observation of the patient's exposed body during screening.
2Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented, then screening productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated algorithms that independently analyze thermal images without requiring manual intervention. The processing system automatically detects, segments, and classifies breast tissue and potential abnormalities, enabling high-throughput screening without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical examination processes with automated digital image processing. Instead of technicians manually examining and interpreting thermal images, computer algorithms automatically perform detection, segmentation, and classification, substituting mechanical human analysis with automated computational processing.
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
Enhances privacy during breast cancer screening, increasing the likelihood of women undergoing screenings and facilitating early detection of cancers in non-clinical settings, including remote areas.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal camera for capturing thermal images of the exposed breast area
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is an apparatus for enabling privacy for patients undergoing breast cancer screening in a non-clinical setting. One embodiment of the present apparatus comprises an enclosure in which a person can remove one or more garments to expose their breasts to a thermal camera for breast cancer screening. The enclosure is such that at least the breast area of that person is shielded from view by third parties. The apparatus also comprises a thermal camera for capturing thermal images of the exposed breast area. The thermal camera is connected to a robotic arm that changes the camera angle relative to real-world coordinates so that thermal images can be taken of the breast area from any angle between a frontal view and a left/right lateral view. A processor which executes a software interface tool for semi-automated or automated breast cancer screening based on the thermal images of the breast.