Smartphone-Based Compression-Induced Scope for Breast Tumor Prescreening
Abstract
Overarching Challenges: Most breast cancer screening devices, such as mammogram and ultrasound, effectively detect tumors, but they are only available in a large hospital setting. There are some women -- women in remote regions and young women -- who do not get annual hospital-centric screening. If easily accessible breast prescreening tools are available near the patient s residence, the breast cancer early detection rate will definitely increase for the women who traditionally do not get screened for breast cancer. The ultimate challenge is to develop a noninvasive tumor-characterizing device that will accurately tell malignant tumors as well as benign tumors. The long-term goal of this project is to develop a simple-to-use, noninvasive, and risk-free system that will provide accurate identification of potentially life-threatening malignant breast tumors. In this project, we will test our hypothesis that a Smartphone-based Compression-Induced (SCI) Scope, which exploits the tactile properties of tumors, will successfully distinguish benign and malignant tumors. While tactile imaging has been used in breast cancer applications with some success, a portable and reliable tumor characterizing device is underdeveloped. By integrating a smartphone with dynamic compression-induced imaging, we propose to increase the sensitivity and specificity of detecting malignant tumors. Furthermore, just like we compress to feel the bone in our hands, compression will be used to enhance the changes in tumor characteristics. The compression from surface by an imaging probe can change the size and shape of a lesion; and by capturing these changes, we will characterize tumors more accurately. We further hypothesize that capture of these changes using a SCI Scope will not only increase the depth of interrogation but also provide more comprehensive touch information about a tumor. By correlating our imaging results (tactile data) with the subsequent histopathological diagnosis, we will calibrate our system and develop algorithms to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. If successful, this study has the potential to change the breast cancer screening paradigm. Types of Patients: This device will affect all women. The developed system will be used in walk-in clinics or primary care physicians offices. The SCI Scope will especially benefit the women who do not typically get mammography. This system will allow more women, especially young women, women in remote regions, and women in developing countries, to be prescreened near their residences. Potential Clinical Applications: The main application of the system is in breast cancer monitoring and prescreening. However, if the system becomes highly accurate, it could be used for diagnostics. Moreover, a tumor can be tracked over time, so a doctor can monitor whether the tumor is growing or diminishing. If it is becoming more aggressive (grows in size and becomes more stiff) according to the malignancy score, then the doctor will order a biopsy; if the tumor is becoming more indolent, then the doctor and the patient might decide to monitor the tumor instead of biopsy. Benefits: The noninvasiveness of the system will allow more widespread testing for breast cancer. Moreover, the system will be completely harmless because it is based on optical means as opposed to ionizing radiation as in mammography. So, noninvasive, accurate, harmless, and accurate detection of breast cancer will be the main benefits of the SCI Scope. Risks: Both the sensitivity and specificity has to be high in order for the system to be an effective prescreening and screening device. The preliminary results reduce this risk; however, to obtain high enough sensitivity and specificity, we will develop a novel dynamic compression device and method. Projected Time to Obtain Outcome: During the grant period, we propose to develop the SCI Scope and test it on realistic phantoms and a smal
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2016
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610035
Entities
People
- Chang Hee Won
Organizations
- Temple University
- United States Army