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Zhou L, Zhang Q, Wu Y, Liu Z, Wu Y, Li X, Qiu W, Lou C, Ding M, Yuchi M. A coupling, stabilizing, and shaping strategy for breast ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) with a ring array transducer. ULTRASONICS 2024; 138:107212. [PMID: 38056321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2023.107212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) has been gradually promoted to clinical application after years of rapid development. Compared with the traditional handheld ultrasound scanning method, the scanning plane of USCT is fixed at the coronal plane, and the scanning path is designed in advance; the acoustic window is not in direct contact with the breast, a lot of coupling medium (usually degassed water is used to fill the gaps between the probe and breast. The clinical application of breast USTC faces challenges: (1) the processes of water degassing, heating, filling, draining, and cleaning prolong the entire scan cycle and reduce patient throughput. (2) The breast is not stabilized and slight movements of the breast may cause motion artifacts in the USCT images. (3) The non-normal incidence of ultrasound into the breast causes reflected and transmitted signals received with a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or even unable to be detected. This article proposes a coupling, stabilizing, and shaping strategy for the clinical application of USCT with a ring array transducer. The solid gel coupling agent (SGCA) is applied for coupling, and a set of SGCA moldings is designed to stabilize and shape the breast during scanning, the breast shape and size which vary from person to person are simplified into several models. The preparation time is reduced to less than 1 min by replacing disposable moldings. The results show that the breast after shaping is close to round in the coronal plane, and slopes of the breast skin are limited in the sagittal and transverse planes, the breast subcutaneous tissue (fat and glands) has a better contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and can be better distinguished in the reflection images than that of the breast without shaping. The mean value of the raw beamformed data which represents the reflection signal amplitude of breast subcutaneous tissue after shaping shows 1.5 times that of the breast without shaping, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the raw transmission signal data after breast shaping is overall higher than that of the breast without shaping. The application of SGCA moldings for breast coupling, stabilizing, and shaping also benefits establishing a standardized scanning process, the standardized diagnosis of the breast lesion, and the localization of breast lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiude Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yanle Wu
- Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhaohui Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xingrui Li
- Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wu Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cuijuan Lou
- School of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mingyue Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ming Yuchi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Education Ministry of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Zhang X, Fincke JR, Wynn CM, Johnson MR, Haupt RW, Anthony BW. Full noncontact laser ultrasound: first human data. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2019; 8:119. [PMID: 31885865 PMCID: PMC6923376 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-019-0229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Full noncontact laser ultrasound (LUS) imaging has several distinct advantages over current medical ultrasound (US) technologies: elimination of the coupling mediums (gel/water), operator-independent image quality, improved repeatability, and volumetric imaging. Current light-based ultrasound utilizing tissue-penetrating photoacoustics (PA) generally uses traditional piezoelectric transducers in contact with the imaged tissue or carries an optical fiber detector close to the imaging site. Unlike PA, the LUS design presented here minimizes the optical penetration and specifically restricts optical-to-acoustic energy transduction at the tissue surface, maximizing the generated acoustic source amplitude. With an appropriate optical design and interferometry, any exposed tissue surfaces can become viable acoustic sources and detectors. LUS operates analogously to conventional ultrasound but uses light instead of piezoelectric elements. Here, we present full noncontact LUS results, imaging targets at ~5 cm depths and at a meter-scale standoff from the target surface. Experimental results demonstrating volumetric imaging and the first LUS images on humans are presented, all at eye- and skin-safe optical exposure levels. The progression of LUS imaging from tissue-mimicking phantoms, to excised animal tissue, to humans in vivo is shown, with validation from conventional ultrasound images. The LUS system design insights and results presented here inspire further LUS development and are a significant step toward the clinical implementation of LUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 45 Carleton St., Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Jonathan R. Fincke
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 45 Carleton St., Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Charles M. Wynn
- Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, MA 02421 USA
| | - Matt R. Johnson
- Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, MA 02421 USA
| | - Robert W. Haupt
- Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, MA 02421 USA
| | - Brian W. Anthony
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 45 Carleton St., Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
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Maier A, Heil J, Lauer A, Harcos A, Schaefgen B, von Au A, Spratte J, Riedel F, Rauch G, Hennigs A, Domschke C, Schott S, Rom J, Schuetz F, Sohn C, Golatta M. Inter-rater reliability and double reading analysis of an automated three-dimensional breast ultrasound system: comparison of two independent examiners. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 296:571-582. [PMID: 28748340 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-017-4473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast ultrasound could be a valuable tool complementary to mammography in breast cancer screening. Automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) addresses challenges of hand-held ultrasound and could allow double reading analysis of ultrasound images. This trial assesses the inter-rater reliability and double reading analysis of an ABUS system. METHODS To assess the reproducibility and diagnostic validity of the ABUS system, SomoV™, a blinded double reading analysis, was performed in 1019 patients (2038 breasts) by two examiners (examiner A/B) and compared to single reading results, as well as to the reference standard regarding its diagnostic validity. Cohen's kappa coefficients were calculated to measure the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the different diagnostic modalities. Patient comfort and time consumption for image acquisition and reading were analyzed descriptively as secondary objectives. RESULTS Analysis of inter-rater reliability yielded agreement in 81.6% (κ = 0.37; p < 0.0001) showing fair agreement. Single reading analysis of SomoV™ exams (examiner A/examiner B) compared to reference standard showed good specificity (examiner A: 88.3%/examiner B: 84.5%), fair inter-rater agreement (examiner A: κ = 0.31/examiner B: κ = 0.31), and adequate sensitivity (examiner A: 53.1%/examiner B: 64.2%). Double reading analysis yielded good sensitivity and specificity (73.7 and 77.7%). Mammography (n = 1911) alone detected 160 of 176 carcinomas (sensitivity 90.1%). Adding SomoV™ to mammography would have detected 12 additional carcinomas, resulting in a higher sensitivity of 97.7%. CONCLUSION SomoV™ is a promising technique with good sensitivity, high patient comfort, and fair inter-examiner reliability. It allows double reading analysis that, in combination with mammography, could increase detection rates in breast cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maier
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joerg Heil
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Lauer
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aba Harcos
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schaefgen
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexandra von Au
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Spratte
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Riedel
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Geraldine Rauch
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hennigs
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Domschke
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Schott
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Rom
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Schuetz
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof Sohn
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Golatta
- University Breast Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Jaeger M, Frenz M. Towards clinical computed ultrasound tomography in echo-mode: Dynamic range artefact reduction. ULTRASONICS 2015; 62:299-304. [PMID: 26112424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Computed ultrasound tomography in echo-mode (CUTE) allows imaging the speed of sound inside tissue using hand-held pulse-echo ultrasound. This technique is based on measuring the changing local phase of beamformed echoes when changing the transmit beam steering angle. Phantom results have shown a spatial resolution and contrast that could qualify CUTE as a promising novel diagnostic modality in combination with B-mode ultrasound. Unfortunately, the large intensity range of several tens of dB that is encountered in clinical images poses difficulties to echo phase tracking and results in severe artefacts. In this paper we propose a modification to the original technique by which more robust echo tracking can be achieved, and we demonstrate in phantom experiments that dynamic range artefacts are largely eliminated. Dynamic range artefact reduction also allowed for the first time a clinical implementation of CUTE with sufficient contrast to reproducibly distinguish the different speed of sound in different tissue layers of the abdominal wall and the neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jaeger
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Frenz
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Koch A, Stiller F, Lerch R, Ermert H. An ultrasound tomography system with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) moldings for coupling: in vivo results for 3-D pulse-echo imaging of the female breast. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2015; 62:266-279. [PMID: 25643077 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2014.006494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Full-angle spatial compounding (FASC) is a concept for pulse-echo imaging using an ultrasound tomography (UST) system. With FASC, resolution is increased and speckles are suppressed by averaging pulse-echo data from 360°. In vivo investigations have already shown a great potential for 2-D FASC in the female breast as well as for finger-joint imaging. However, providing a small number of images of parallel cross-sectional planes with enhanced image quality is not sufficient for diagnosis. Therefore, volume data (3-D) is needed. For this purpose, we further developed our UST add-on system to automatically rotate a motorized array (3-D probe) around the object of investigation. Full integration of external motor and ultrasound electronics control in a custom-made program allows acquisition of 3-D pulse-echo RF datasets within 10 min. In case of breast cancer imaging, this concept also enables imaging of near-thorax tissue regions which cannot be achieved by 2-D FASC. Furthermore, moldings made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) have been developed as a new acoustic coupling concept. It has a great potential to replace the water bath technique in UST, which is a critical concept with respect to clinical investigations. In this contribution, we present in vivo results for 3-D FASC applied to imaging a female breast which has been placed in a PVA-H molding during data acquisition. An algorithm is described to compensate time-of-flight and consider refraction at the water-PVA-H molding and molding-tissue interfaces. Therefore, the mean speed of sound (SOS) for the breast tissue is estimated with an image-based method. Our results show that the PVA-H molding concept is applicable and feasible and delivers good results. 3-D FASC is superior to 2-D FASC and provides 3-D volume data at increased image quality.
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Golatta M, Baggs C, Schweitzer-Martin M, Domschke C, Schott S, Harcos A, Scharf A, Junkermann H, Rauch G, Rom J, Sohn C, Heil J. Evaluation of an automated breast 3D-ultrasound system by comparing it with hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) and mammography. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2014; 291:889-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00404-014-3509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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