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Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Mammary Immobilization Device for Breast Screening Applications.

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20171114001
Publication Date: 15 November 2017

Summary

A German university developed a device for medical imaging applications enabling an efficient and pain-reducing compression of the mamma. The university offers a license and a technical cooperation agreement.

Description

The prospects of curing breast cancer are directly related to the time of detecting the disease. Diagnostic methods of this kind often indicate the need for an immobilization of the mamma for the period of the examination, for example in breast cancer screening by carrying out a stereotactic mammography. For a qualitative assessment, the mamma will usually be compressed by parallel-oriented components under applied pressure. The degree of applied pressure mainly depends on the imaging method, the mamma size and shape, and the tissue density level. Patient studies estimate that up to 46% of all women refrain from participating in a second screening or break off such a mammogram due to the high compression pain. Moreover, in most cases an inhomogeneous compression level occurs over the tissue volume that can lead to drastic misinterpretations and consequently to psychological stress and life-threatening wrong medical decisions.



A German university now invented a breast immobilization device that reduces the method- and equipment-induced grade of inhomogeneity of tissue compression by 62% as compared to conventional immobilization with parallel grid- or plate devices and regardless of mamma size and tissue density level. This is carried out by a specifically developed mamma support component in combination with a flexible element that wraps around the mamma while compressing it at the same time. The execution is carried out manually by medical staff. The reduction of the equipment-induced compression pain by 31% leads to a better acceptance of the diagnostic method in affected patients.



The university offers a license and a technical cooperation agreement to companies in the field of medical imaging willing to further develop the invention to market maturity.

Advantages and Innovations

With regard to conventional breast screening devices the invention reduces the equipment-induced compression pain. It can be used for all breast sizes and is compatible with all medical imaging systems (like X-Ray or magnetic resonance imaging).The device also offers an intuitive user interaction.

Stage Of Development

Prototype available for demonstration

Stage Of Development Comment

Prototypes for various applications and systems have been tested and evaluated. The modular engineering approach leads to an “easy to adapt” component-system.

Requested partner

The university offers a license and a technical cooperation agreement. 



The licensee will further develop the invention to product and market maturity, if necessary with the support of the university (technical cooperation). 

The partner should contribute professional experience and know how in the field medical imaging. This also implies know-how on marketing and access to a major industrial partner.