Multi-modal, multi-parametric automatic breast ultrasound scanner

Ultrasonix Medical Corp（里士满，BC）的自动乳腺超声系统（ABUS）是一种专用扫描仪，可在几分钟内采集整个乳房的独立于操作员的三维（3D）超声图像。在检查过程中，患者面朝下躺在床上，床上有一个圆顶，被检查的乳房适合。通过围绕圆顶旋转超声换能器自动采集3D超声图像。可以选择图像采集的参数，例如换能器旋转步长、成像深度、成像类型-常规B模式或多普勒-如在临床中使用的。此外，我们亦可收集未经处理的超声波回波数据，以设计特定的成像方法。在这项资助下，我们建议根据超声波回波数据开发两种额外的成像方法：定量弹性成像，它将测量乳房弹性，从而提供一种自动化的、客观的方法来发现表征乳房肿块，以及光声成像，其将用于确定乳房中较高血液浓度的区域以及较低氧浓度的区域。此外，我们建议将联合收割机现有的成像技术结合在一个单一的注册数据集，这将允许开发基于计算机的分类技术，将能够准确地检测癌症。迄今为止，在Ultrasonix之外使用的是单一ABUS系统，其用途是使用传统超声成像进行临床研究。我们的工作将解决独特的技术挑战，这将导致乳腺癌筛查的替代成像技术。

The automated breast ultrasound system (ABUS) system from Ultrasonix Medical Corp (Richmond, BC) is a specialized scanner that can acquire operator-independent three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound images of the entire breast in a few minutes. During the examination, the patient lies face down on a bed that has a dome in which the examined breast fits. A 3D ultrasound image is acquired automatically by rotating an ultrasound transducer around the dome. The parameters of the image acquisition, such as the transducer rotation steps, depth of imaging, imaging type - conventional B-mode or Doppler - as used in the clinic, can be selected. In addition, unprocessed ultrasound echo data can be collected that enabling the design of specific imaging method.Under this grant, we propose to develop two additional imaging methods based on the ultrasound echo data: quantitative elastography, which will measure breast elasticity, thus providing an automated, objective way of finding an characterizing breast lumps, and photoacoustic imaging, which will be used to determine the regions of higher blood concentration in the breast, as well as the regions of lower oxygen concentration. In addition, we propose to combine existing imaging techniques in a single registered data set that will allow the development of computer-based classification techniques that will be able to accurately detect cancer. To date, there is a single ABUS system in use outside Ultrasonix, and its use is for clinical research using conventional ultrasound imaging. Our work will address unique technical challenges that will lead to alternative imaging techniques for breast cancer screening.