Synchronized Breast Compression for 3D Mammography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D mammography techniques require either short exposure times or heavy x-ray sources due to continuous or stepwise movement of the x-ray source, leading to long imaging procedures and mechanical challenges in maintaining stability, and are not practical for conventional 2D screening.
Innovation Solution
The method involves synchronizing the movement of the breast compression plates with the continuous movement of the x-ray source during exposure, allowing for longer exposure times and reducing the need for a powerful x-ray source, while maintaining the existing mammography apparatus design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the x-ray source moves continuously or stepwise during imaging, then 3D image information can be acquired, but exposure time must be short or the x-ray source must be heavy, leading to long imaging procedures
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the heavy x-ray source during exposure, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the x-ray source stationary and moving the breast (object) through the beam path. This allows continuous 3D data acquisition with a stationary, lightweight x-ray source, eliminating the need for short exposure times or heavy moving sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the breast movement function with the existing compression plate mechanism. The compression plates are modified to move the breast horizontally through the x-ray beam while maintaining compression, merging two functions (compression and positioning) into a single integrated system that enables continuous imaging without requiring separate complex positioning mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the x-ray source is moved continuously during imaging, then 3D mammography is achieved, but movement artifacts increase and stability becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the moving component from the x-ray source to the breast. By keeping the x-ray source stationary and moving only the breast through the beam, the system eliminates vibrations and stability issues associated with moving heavy x-ray equipment, while still achieving continuous 3D data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plates serve as an intermediary mechanism that enables controlled breast movement through the stationary x-ray beam. This intermediary system provides precise, stable positioning and movement of the breast without requiring the x-ray source itself to move, thereby maintaining imaging stability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a powerful x-ray source is used to enable continuous movement imaging, then exposure time can be extended, but the apparatus becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a powerful moving x-ray source by inverting the system: a stationary, conventional x-ray source illuminates the moving breast. This allows extended exposure times without requiring increased x-ray source power or complexity, as the relative motion between beam and object is maintained while the source remains simple and fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plates are given multiple functions: they compress the breast for standard mammography and also move the breast horizontally for 3D imaging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms, keeping the apparatus simple while enabling extended exposure times for high-quality 3D reconstruction.
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 approach enables efficient 3D mammography with reduced movement artifacts and shorter overall imaging time, using conventional x-ray sources and apparatus designs, while maintaining patient comfort and reducing radiation dose.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source and at the second end, a radiation detector
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.