Study: Quick, pain-free breast imaging system shows promise in early clinical tests

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A breast scan for detecting cancer takes less than a minute using an experimental system that combines photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging, according to a study in IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging.

The system does not require painful compres sion like mammography. Instead, patients stand and gently press their breast against an imaging window.

In tests involving four healthy individuals and 61 breast cancer patients, it produced clear, artificial intelligence-powered 3D images of common breast cancer subtypes such as Luminal A, Luminal B and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

“Our system, which is called OneTouch-PAT, combines advanced imaging, automation and artificial intelligence –all while enhancing patient comfort,” says the study’s corresponding author Jun Xia, PhD, professor in the University at Buffalo’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.

He stresses that “more work is needed before it can be used in clinical settings, but we’re excited about OneTouch-PAT’s potential to augment cur rent imaging methods and help fight this terrible disease.”

Additional authors include researchers in the UB Department of Biostatistics; the UB Department of Computer Science and Engineering; the Department of Breast Imaging and the Department of Surgery, both at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Windsong Radiology.

The work was sup ported by the National Institutes of Health.

Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death for women world wide. Early detection – most commonly through mammograms and ultra sound – has helped save countless lives.