University at Buffalo researchers have developed a novel breast imaging system that combines photoacoustic and ultrasound technologies to detect cancer in under one minute without the painful compression required by mammography. The OneTouch-PAT system demonstrated promising results in early clinical tests involving 61 breast cancer patients and 4 healthy individuals, producing clear artificial intelligence-enhanced 3D images of common breast cancer subtypes.
Revolutionary Imaging Technology
The OneTouch-PAT system addresses key limitations of current breast cancer screening methods by eliminating the need for painful compression. Instead, patients simply stand and gently press their breast against an imaging window. "Our system, which is called OneTouch-PAT, combines advanced imaging, automation and artificial intelligence – all while enhancing patient comfort," says Jun Xia, PhD, professor in the University at Buffalo's Department of Biomedical Engineering and the study's corresponding author.
The technology works by emitting laser pulses that cause light-absorbing molecules to heat up and expand, creating ultrasound waves that allow medical professionals to detect blood vessels that often grow more in cancerous tissues. Unlike traditional systems that require manual scanning by a sonographer, OneTouch-PAT combines both photoacoustic and ultrasound scans automatically with the patient in the same standing position.
Clinical Performance and Cancer Subtype Detection
The system performs a photoacoustic scan first, followed by an ultrasound scan, then repeats this pattern in an interleaved way until the entire breast is covered. Data processing using a deep learning network improves image clarity, with the entire process taking only a few minutes depending on computing power.
Research findings published in IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging showed that OneTouch-PAT provides a more in-depth and clearer view of breast tumors compared to operator-dependent photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging systems. The 3D images revealed unique vascular patterns by cancer subtype, including richer and more prominent tumor-associated blood vessels in Luminal A and Luminal B cancers, and high-intensity spots corresponding to the chaotic and abnormal blood supply often seen in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers.
Advantages for Dense Breast Tissue
OneTouch-PAT shows particular promise for women with dense breast tissue, who are often more difficult to diagnose and at higher risk. The system's ultrasound component excels at detecting suspicious lesions while the photoacoustic imaging captures blood vessel growth around those lesions to provide additional information about potential malignancy and tumor type. Both techniques are less affected by tissue density compared to mammography, which is less accurate among women with dense breast tissue.
Current Limitations and Future Development
While the results are promising, Xia emphasizes that "more work is needed before it can be used in clinical settings, but we're excited about OneTouch-PAT's potential to augment current imaging methods and help fight this terrible disease." The research team is planning additional studies to include benign lesions and improve data extraction methods. Researchers also aim to add more sensors and more robust imaging tools for improved accuracy and speed.
The work, supported by the National Institutes of Health, involved collaboration between researchers from UB's Department of Biostatistics, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's Department of Breast Imaging and Department of Surgery, and Windsong Radiology. The team plans to validate OneTouch-PAT across a broader population in future studies.
