Optical Scanner Images Breast Cancer in Vivo
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 02 Nov 2015 |
Image: Diffuse optical images of a tumor (red) from several probe locations (Photo courtesy of FIU).
Innovative optical scanners show potential for real-time breast cancer screening, according to a new study.
Researchers at Florida International University (FIU; Miami, USA) and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Miami, FL, USA) have developed a prototype hand-held optical imager with a contourable probe head that performs diffuse nonionizing optical imaging of breast tissue using a near-infrared (NIR) laser diode source to simultaneously illuminate and detect oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations over large surface areas, thus mapping the optical absorption.
The scanner uses 785 nm laser diode sources and intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera detectors to generate two-dimensional (2-D) surface maps of total hemoglobin absorption. The subjects lay in supine position, and images are collected at various locations on both the ipsilateral (tumor-containing) and contralateral (non-tumor-containing) breasts. The 2-D surface maps of optical absorption show regions of higher intensity at the tumor location, due to an increased hemoglobin concentration, indicative of an enlarged vasculature and higher blood content due to the presence of the tumor.
In a study to examine the in vivo capabilities of the optical scanner in detecting breast tumors, five female human subjects (ages 51–74) diagnosed with breast cancer were imaged prior to surgical intervention. The scanner was able to detect the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma in three subjects, and ductal carcinoma in situ and metastatic carcinoma in the two other subjects, confirming its potential for imaging human breast cancer. The study describing the device was published on October 23, 2015, in Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express.
“The optical analysis developed offers several benefits over mammography, with no ionizing radiation dose and fewer issues imaging dense tissues,” said senior author Anuradha Godavarty, PhD, of the FIU Optical Imaging Laboratory. “Eventually, we hope that physicians will be able to use this for real-time imaging of breast tissues as part of regular visits by the patients. We're currently working on the mathematical tools required to process the images and produce 3D tomographic images, in order to determine tumor size and depth.”
Related Links:
Florida International University
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Researchers at Florida International University (FIU; Miami, USA) and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Miami, FL, USA) have developed a prototype hand-held optical imager with a contourable probe head that performs diffuse nonionizing optical imaging of breast tissue using a near-infrared (NIR) laser diode source to simultaneously illuminate and detect oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations over large surface areas, thus mapping the optical absorption.
The scanner uses 785 nm laser diode sources and intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera detectors to generate two-dimensional (2-D) surface maps of total hemoglobin absorption. The subjects lay in supine position, and images are collected at various locations on both the ipsilateral (tumor-containing) and contralateral (non-tumor-containing) breasts. The 2-D surface maps of optical absorption show regions of higher intensity at the tumor location, due to an increased hemoglobin concentration, indicative of an enlarged vasculature and higher blood content due to the presence of the tumor.
In a study to examine the in vivo capabilities of the optical scanner in detecting breast tumors, five female human subjects (ages 51–74) diagnosed with breast cancer were imaged prior to surgical intervention. The scanner was able to detect the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma in three subjects, and ductal carcinoma in situ and metastatic carcinoma in the two other subjects, confirming its potential for imaging human breast cancer. The study describing the device was published on October 23, 2015, in Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express.
“The optical analysis developed offers several benefits over mammography, with no ionizing radiation dose and fewer issues imaging dense tissues,” said senior author Anuradha Godavarty, PhD, of the FIU Optical Imaging Laboratory. “Eventually, we hope that physicians will be able to use this for real-time imaging of breast tissues as part of regular visits by the patients. We're currently working on the mathematical tools required to process the images and produce 3D tomographic images, in order to determine tumor size and depth.”
Related Links:
Florida International University
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Latest General/Advanced Imaging News
- Bone Density Test Uses Existing CT Images to Predict Fractures
- AI Predicts Cardiac Risk and Mortality from Routine Chest CT Scans
- Radiation Therapy Computed Tomography Solution Boosts Imaging Accuracy
- PET Scans Reveal Hidden Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
- Artificial Intelligence Evaluates Cardiovascular Risk from CT Scans
- New AI Method Captures Uncertainty in Medical Images
- CT Coronary Angiography Reduces Need for Invasive Tests to Diagnose Coronary Artery Disease
- Novel Blood Test Could Reduce Need for PET Imaging of Patients with Alzheimer’s
- CT-Based Deep Learning Algorithm Accurately Differentiates Benign From Malignant Vertebral Fractures
- Minimally Invasive Procedure Could Help Patients Avoid Thyroid Surgery
- Self-Driving Mobile C-Arm Reduces Imaging Time during Surgery
- AR Application Turns Medical Scans Into Holograms for Assistance in Surgical Planning
- Imaging Technology Provides Ground-Breaking New Approach for Diagnosing and Treating Bowel Cancer
- CT Coronary Calcium Scoring Predicts Heart Attacks and Strokes
- AI Model Detects 90% of Lymphatic Cancer Cases from PET and CT Images
- Breakthrough Technology Revolutionizes Breast Imaging