Rotating Mammography Positioning Device with Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mammography units face challenges in simplifying operation and increasing flexibility while maintaining examination quality due to the complexity of adjusting radiation sources and object holders for varying irradiation angles, which affects examination time and safety.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with a rotatable device support section and object support section, connected via a decoupled axis of rotation, allows for independent adjustment of the radiation source and object holder, enabling flexible irradiation angles without changing the object position, and includes a counterweight for stability and safety features to prevent crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the device support section is fixedly connected to the object support section on a common axis of rotation, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the flexibility for varying irradiation angles without changing object position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is divided into two independently rotatable sections: the device support section (holding the radiation source) and the object support section (holding the breast). Each section can rotate independently about the same axis, allowing the radiation source to be positioned at different angles while the object remains stationary. This segmentation enables flexible irradiation angle adjustment without requiring complex mechanical linkages between sections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the device support section is made compact, then the stability and oscillation resistance improve, but the range of motion for positioning the radiation source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is provided on the device support section, positioned opposite to the radiation source across the axis of rotation. The counterweight compensates for the moment of inertia and gravitational effects on the radiation source, enabling the compact device support section to achieve and maintain angular positions without excessive oscillation. This allows the compact design to provide sufficient range of motion while maintaining stability during positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a mammography unit may be improved, by provision of a positioning device for a mammography unit, comprising a device support section for accommodating the radiation source and an object support device for accommodating the object holder for the relative positioning of a radiation source and an object holder. The object support section may be and/or is connected to the mammography unit by means of a connector element, wherein the device support section is mounted such as to be able to rotate relative to the connector element.