Dual Scan Mammoscope (DSM)-A New Portable Photoacoustic Breast Imaging System With Scanning in Craniocaudal Plane

• Published in: IEEE transactions on biomedical engineering Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 1321 - 1327
• Main Authors: Nyayapathi, Nikhila, Lim, Rachel, Zhang, Huijuan, Zheng, Wenhan, Wang, Yuehang, Tiao, Melinda, Oh, Kwang W., Fan, X. Cynthia, Bonaccio, Ermelinda, Takabe, Kazuaki, Xia, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01.05.2020; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Absorption; Breast; breast cancer; Breasts; Cancer; Compression; Data interpretation; mammogram; Mammography; Medical imaging; Metal plates; Optical fibers; Photoacoustic computed tomography (PAT); Photoacoustic effect; Polymer films; Radiation; Scanning; Spatial discrimination; Spatial resolution; Storage tanks; Transducers; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 0018-9294; 1558-2531
• DOI: 10.1109/TBME.2019.2936088

Objective: We present a new photoacoustic tomography system that provides visualization of angiographic features in a human breast with mammogram-like images. Methods: The system images a mildly compressed breast, from both top and bottom, using two 128-element, 2.25 MHz linear transducer arrays and line optical fiber bundles. The mild compression is achieved using plastic films, which is a more comfortable experience for the patient compared to rigid metal plates used in a traditional mammogram. Results: We could image a D cup-sized breast of 7 cm thickness within 1 minute and achieve a spatial resolution of around 1 mm in all directions. Conclusion: Our system possesses the benefits of portability, speedy scanning, and patient comfort. The craniocaudal-view images can be easily correlated with existing imaging modalities for data interpretation. Significance: Early cancer detection plays a critical role in overall cancer survival rate. Our system may address the limitations of mammogram and offer a radiation-free screening technique for patients with dense breasts.