Sliding Foam Breast Compression Paddle for Uniform Mammography Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast compression methods for mammography and tomosynthesis cause patient discomfort due to non-uniform compression force distribution, leading to potential patient movement and suboptimal image quality, and fail to ensure complete breast tissue inclusion in the imaging field.
Innovation Solution
A breast compression paddle system featuring a rigid substrate with a slidably secured foam compressive element, allowing for horizontal displacement relative to the chest wall, which conforms to the breast shape and reduces discomfort by distributing compression force more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid compression paddle is used to compress the breast, then the breast is immobilized and tissue is spread out for imaging, but patient discomfort increases and tissue coverage may be incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The compression paddle transitions from a completely rigid structure to a hybrid structure with a rigid substrate and a foam compressive element. The foam element changes the compression characteristics by providing compliant, uniform pressure distribution while the rigid substrate maintains structural integrity and immobilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression paddle combines two different materials: a rigid substrate (providing structural support and immobilization) and a foam compressive element (providing comfortable, uniform compression). This composite structure resolves the contradiction between rigid immobilization and comfortable tissue distribution.
2Quantity of substance
If compression force is increased to ensure complete tissue coverage, then more breast tissue is included in the image, but patient discomfort increases and movement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The foam compressive element changes the pressure distribution parameter from concentrated (rigid) to distributed (compliant), allowing adequate tissue coverage without requiring excessive compression force that would cause patient discomfort or movement.
3Strength
If a rigid compression paddle is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but compression force distribution is non-uniform causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid compression paddle uses a rigid substrate to maintain structural integrity and a foam compressive element to provide uniform pressure distribution. The rigid substrate bears the mechanical loads while the foam element ensures comfortable, even compression across the breast tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the compression paddle have different properties: the rigid substrate provides structural strength while the foam compressive element provides compliant contact with the breast. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and uniform compression distribution.
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 system stabilizes the breast during imaging, reduces discomfort, enhances patient compliance, and improves image quality by ensuring uniform compression and complete tissue coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a foam compressive element slidably secured to the rigid substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A breast compression paddle includes a bracket, a rigid substrate, and a foam compressive element. The bracket removably secures the breast compression paddle to an imaging system. The rigid substrate is secured to the bracket and includes a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite the first edge. The foam compressive element is slidably secured to the rigid substrate.