Innovative Technology Integrates Laser Optics with Ultrasound to Enhance Breast Cancer Diagnosis

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 19 Jan 2024

Image: The newest version of the Imagio breast imaging system has received FDA approval (Photo courtesy of Seno Medical)

Mammograms are an essential part of preventive healthcare, and when an initial review reveals a suspicious lesion, additional imaging and/or invasive breast biopsies could be the next step in diagnosis. However, breast biopsy procedures caused by false-positive assessments can be costly for healthcare systems and cause millions of women unnecessary stress and anxiety. Now, a cutting-edge technology offers highly differentiated opto-acoustic/ultrasound (OA/US) exams to diagnose breast cancer and significantly reduce unnecessary breast biopsies.

Seno Medical’s (San Antonio, TX, USA) innovative OA/US technology has revolutionized the breast cancer imaging sector by integrating laser optics with ultrasound for enhanced cancer diagnosis. The company’s Imagio Breast Imaging System, which was ranted Pre-Market Approval (PMA) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, seamlessly combines opto-acoustics and ultrasound to provide real-time results to clinicians. In comparison to traditional breast cancer diagnosis technologies, Seno Medical's solution is more effective and patient-friendly as it provides clinicians with functional information about the oxygenation and deoxygenation in and around a suspicious mass in order to better determine the possible malignancy earlier during the care pathway and non-invasively.

Seno Medical's technology also uses the body's hemoglobin as a natural contrast agent, enhancing its safety and accuracy. This system significantly boosts clinicians' confidence in distinguishing malignant and benign breast masses, thus reducing biopsies and exams and improving patient care. Seno Medical's advanced breast cancer diagnosis technology can resolve serious industry challenges like staff shortages and high rate of unnecessary biopsies. The company is now collaborating with experts in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning to refine its diagnostic capabilities in the next few years. Frost & Sullivan recently recognized Seno Medical with the 2023 US Enabling Technology Leadership Award.

"Seno Medical's opto-acoustic technology for breast imaging is non-invasive, has no ionizing radiation, does not use contrast agents or radionuclides, and does not require the compression that is used in mammography," said Sudhakar Mishra, senior director of growth advisory for health and life sciences at Frost & Sullivan.