Breast vibroacoustography with array probe

描述（由申请人提供）：项目总结：触诊仍然是检测恶性乳腺病变的最简单但有效的方法之一，因为乳腺肿瘤的硬度通常与周围组织有显著差异。多年来，乳腺X线摄影一直是乳腺成像的主要工具，主要用于检测可能与乳腺恶性肿瘤相关的微钙化（MC）。然而，这种方法的灵敏度有限，特别是在致密乳房中。传统的B型超声（US）成像已经越来越多地用于乳房成像。然而，该方法对组织硬度不敏感。此外，US成像遭受斑点伪影，其掩盖小结构;因此，难以检测MC，并且在某些情况下，在该方法中难以检测肿块。已经投入了大量的努力来开发改进的乳房成像技术，特别是那些提供触诊样信息的技术。振动声成像（VA）是一种新的非侵入性成像方法，产生这样的信息。由于VA使用了一种新的和独特的组织固有特性，因此需要对其进行全面研究，以将其功能与更传统的乳腺成像技术进行比较。使用实验VA系统，我们已经证明了这种方法的能力，在体内的图像乳腺癌，检测恶性和良性病变，并确定MC。根据这些结果，下一个合乎逻辑的步骤是评估实施临床乳腺VA成像系统的可行性。现有的实验系统采用的是一个安装在水箱中的传感器和机电扫描技术。使用阵列换能器是将VA从实验阶段转化为采用手持探头进行现代电子扫描的临床应用的重要步骤。本研究的目的是探讨一种基于阵列换能器的VA乳腺成像系统。在这里，我们研究乳腺成像与线阵，并评估其性能在人体乳腺病变的检测。我们还将研究使用具有全2D聚焦和转向能力的尖端技术2D可重新配置阵列用于乳房VA的可行性。这种系统将具有临床3D VA所需的上级分辨率和扫描速度。本研究的目标将在3个具体目标中实现：（1）开发用于乳腺成像的具有线阵换能器的VA系统;（2）测试新VA系统在人体中的性能;（3）评估用于乳腺VA的2D可重构阵列。这项研究的成功完成将为一类新的乳腺成像工具开辟道路。VA图像与组织硬度相关，这是恶性肿瘤的重要标志。VA提供的特征组合，例如对刚度的敏感性、图像中斑点的缺乏以及对MC的敏感性，将对乳腺癌检测产生显著影响。相关性：本研究旨在开发一种新的乳腺成像工具。我们研究了这种新方法作为乳腺病变和乳腺癌检测诊断工具的有效性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project summary: Palpation remains one of the simplest yet effective methods for detecting malignant breast lesions because the stiffness of breast tumors usually differs significantly from surrounding tissues. Mammography has been the main tool of breast imaging for many years, mostly to detect microcalcifications (MCs) which can be associated with breast malignancies. However, this method has limited sensitivity, especially in dense breasts. Conventional B-mode ultrasound (US) imaging has been increasingly used for breast imaging. However, this method is not sensitive to tissue stiffness. Besides, US imaging suffers from speckle artifact that masks small structures; thus, it is difficult to detect MCs, and in some cases, masses are hard to detect in this method. Significant effort has been invested to develop improved breast imaging techniques, especially those that provide palpation-like information. Vibro-acoustography (VA) is a novel non-invasive imaging method that produces such information. Since VA uses a new and unique intrinsic characteristic of tissue, it needs to be fully investigated to compare its capabilities to the more traditional breast imaging techniques. Using an experimental VA system, we have demonstrated the capability of this method to image breast in vivo, detect malignant and benign lesions, and identify MCs. In light of these results, the next logical step is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a clinical breast VA imaging system. The existing experimental system uses a transducer housed in a water tank and electromechanical scanning technique. Using an array transducer is an important step in translating VA from experimental stage to clinical applications employing modern electronic scanning with hand-held probe. The purpose of this research is to investigate a VA system based on an array transducer for breast imaging. Here, we study breast imaging with linear array and evaluate its performance in detection of lesions in human breast. We will also investigate the feasibility of using a cutting-edge-technology 2D reconfigurable array with full 2D focusing and steering capability for breast VA. Such a system would have superior resolution and scanning speed desired for clinical 3D VA. The goals of this research will be achieved in 3 specific Aims: (1) Develop a VA system with a linear-array transducer for breast imaging; (2) Test the performance of the new VA system in humans; (3) Evaluate the 2D reconfigurable arrays for breast VA. Successful completion of this research will open the way for a new class of breast imaging tools. VA images are related to tissue stiffness, which is an important marker of malignancies. The combination of features offered by VA, such as sensitivity to stiffness, lack of speckle in image, and sensitivity to MCs, would have a significant impact in breast cancer detection. Relevance: This research aims at developing a new breast imaging tool. We examine the effectiveness of this new method as a diagnostic tool in detection of breast lesions and breast cancer.