Rotating Mammography Pressing Pad for Pain Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mammography devices cause discomfort and pain during the pressing process, which can lead to inaccurate X-ray images due to subject movement and increased exposure from repeated imaging.

Innovation Solution

The mammography device features a support system where the pressing pad and support part are configured to rotate from an inclined position to a parallel position, with an elastic member and stopper limiting the angle, allowing the pressing force to be concentrated on areas with less pain, thereby minimizing discomfort and improving image accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the pressing pad applies direct pressure to the breast to separate lumps from mammary tissue, then the X-ray image quality is improved, but the subject experiences pain and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveX-ray image qualityVSAvoidpain and discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad is designed to rotate from an inclined position to a parallel position during the pressing operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the pressing force to be applied at different angles, concentrating pressure on areas with less sensitive tissue while reducing pressure on painful areas, thus improving image quality while minimizing pain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing pad changes its angular orientation parameter from inclined to parallel during the pressing process. This parameter change allows the system to adapt the pressing force distribution, concentrating pressure on less painful areas while maintaining sufficient pressure for image quality, thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and pain reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the pressing pad maintains constant pressure to ensure image quality, then the X-ray photographing accuracy is improved, but the subject moves due to pain causing inaccurate images

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveX-ray photographing accuracyVSAvoidimage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad rotates from an inclined position to a parallel position during the pressing operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the pressing force to be applied at different angles, concentrating pressure on areas with less pain while reducing pressure on painful areas, thereby minimizing subject movement and improving image accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the rotation of the pressing pad as a feedback mechanism to adjust the pressing force distribution. By monitoring the angular position of the pressing pad, the system can adapt the pressing force to concentrate on less painful areas, reducing subject movement and improving the reliability of the X-ray image

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If repeated imaging is performed to obtain accurate images, then the diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the exposure dose to the subject increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidexposure dose
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad rotates from an inclined position to a parallel position during the pressing operation. This dynamic adjustment improves the quality of the first image by concentrating pressure on less painful areas, reducing subject movement and the need for repeated imaging, thereby reducing the total exposure dose while maintaining diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration reduces pain and discomfort during X-ray imaging, enabling high-quality images with reduced exposure by minimizing the need for repeated imaging.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member providing elasticity to at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad that is rotatably installed when at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad that is rotatably installed rotates between an inclined position in the pressing initial state of the object to be inspected and a parallel position in the pressing completion state of the object to be inspected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2979639B1Mammography apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2979639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2979639B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~4A
  • EP2979639B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a mammography device for X-ray photographing an object to be inspected. The mammography device includes: a generator irradiating an X-ray; a support part for an object to be inspected including a detector positioned to face the generator; and a pressing pad moving between the generator and the support part for an object to be inspected to press the object to be inspected, wherein at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad is rotatably installed at one side of the mammography device, and in a pressing initial state of the object to be inspected, at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad that is rotatably installed is configured so that a front end portion thereof toward a subject is elastically deflected to a position inclined toward the object to be inspected.