An instrument for monitoring the force applied by breast compression devices on mammography x-ray sets

Automatic breast compression devices are commonly fitted to mammographic x-ray sets. The force exerted by these compression devices should be limited and periodically checked. This article describes the design and construction of an instrument for the routine assessment of the force applied by breast compression devices on mammography x-ray sets. Results obtained on four different mammography x-ray units are presented. In addition, data on the effect of compression plate design on compression force is given for one unit. The instrument has proved to be a simple and quick method of monitoring the force applied by the compression plates on mammographic x-ray units.