VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System Innovators Design Mammography Chair

Natalie A. Mandel, the mammography supervisor with VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, recognized a need to develop a special chair to make the procedure more comfortable for patients.

“While our team was performing a breast biopsy, we had trouble obtaining the desired images due to a difficult approach,” Mandel said. “To obtain an adequate breast tissue sample, we had to try multiple different breast and patient positions which made the procedure very stressful on the patient and technologists, as well as the radiologist.”

Following the biopsy, Mandel came up with an idea. 

“This frustrating situation made me feel that there had to be a better way,” she said. “The procedure ended, and my brain started working. I was able to visualize a chair design that would allow the patient to remain upright while improving comfort to the patient and easier accessibility to the radiologist.”

Mandel came up with a concept and shared her ideas with innovation specialists and biomedical engineers. The team made a 3D printed model and a functional prototype of the chair. The result: a modified medical chair the team may be able to use in the future with patients during breast procedures.

“The chair can help make an uncomfortable procedure become less stressful for the patient and more accessible for the radiologist,” Mandel said. “The mammography unit could be used to its full potential and result in an easier and safer approach, particularly with hard to access targets.”

The team plans to refine the design and apply for a patent.

“The entire process has been amazing,” Mandel said. “I have learned so many things about innovation and myself. I have met great people throughout this experience. I really believe this chair will make a positive impact and will lead to a superior biopsy experience for both the patient and mammography procedure team.”