Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently launched a wearable Ultrasound Breast Patch (CUSBr-Patch), which is the first ultrasound technology for breast tissue scanning and imaging. The device detects early tumors and provides a more comfortable treatment experience for high-risk breast cancer patients who require regular mammograms. The research results were published in the well-known scientific journal “Science Advances” at the end of last month.
A killer disease that shouldn’t be ignored: breast cancer
Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumors. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer will become the number one cancer among women in the world in 2020. Not only that, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, more than 2,000 women in my country die of breast cancer every year. Breast cancer cells that develop early are not life-threatening and have a nearly 100% survival rate. But if left unchecked, causing the tumor to spread throughout the body, that rate drops to about 25 percent. Therefore, in order to improve the overall survival rate of breast cancer patients, it is the goal of researchers to detect tumors at an early stage for early detection.
Traditional breast cancer detection methods such as breast ultrasound examination and X-ray examination need to be carried out in the hospital, which is not only time-consuming, but also does not benefit high-risk groups who do not receive regular examinations. The first author of the study, Canan Dagdeviren, an assistant professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, got inspiration from her aunt who died of terminal breast cancer, hoping that through more frequent checkups, it can improve the chances of Interval cancer (Interval cancer) despite regular checkups. ) patient survival rate.
Innovative breast cancer detection device, wearable design leading breakthrough
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new breast cancer detection device that is connected to a bra with a 3D printed accessory that can freely adjust its position according to the wearer’s movement. And the device is equipped with an ultrasonic scanner, which can image breast tissue from multiple angles. The scanner uses the same type of ultrasound technology as a medical image center, and can achieve ultrasound images with a resolution comparable to its resolution. In addition, the researchers selected a new type of voltage material to achieve the goal of miniaturizing the ultrasonic scanner.
Considering the need to allow users to perform breast imaging at any time, the way the wearable device is designed is particularly critical. The research team designed a flexible 3D printed aid with a honeycomb structure. The aids are attached via magnets to special bras that have openings that allow the ultrasound device to contact the breasts. The scanner is housed in a small tracker that can be moved in six different positions, enabling full-range imaging of the entire breast. It is worth mentioning that this scanner can be rotated to capture images at different angles and can be operated without special expertise.
(D) Schematic illustration of the six main openings (blue areas) on the assistive device. Red dotted line indicates the trajectory of the scanner (E) Schematic of the cUSBr-Patch (F) Tracker photo (G, H and I) Schematic of the tracker rotating clockwise from 0° to 120°, demonstrating its ability to rotate 360° ( J) The circular hole is designed as the scanning area (K) The schematic diagram of cUSBr-Patch placed on the chest (L) User-friendly operation method (Image source:Science Advances）
The researchers, in collaboration with MIT’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research, tested the new device on a 71-year-old woman with a history of breast cysts. The device is capable of detecting cysts as small as 0.3 cm in diameter, which is the size of an early-stage tumor. The results of the study also show that the device can present a resolution equivalent to traditional ultrasound, and can observe breast tissue as deep as 8 cm.
Prospective diagnosis transforms the future of health
The ability to combine high-quality and affordable healthcare is a crucial factor in early diagnosis. This technology is expected to break through multiple barriers to early breast cancer detection by providing a more reliable, comfortable, and approachable diagnosis. Of these, having to commute to an imaging center is one of the top hurdles. The wearable ultrasound patch is designed to be used over and over again, and researchers hope the technology could be used at home by people at high risk of breast cancer who would benefit from more frequent screenings.
In the future, the research team plans to establish a workflow to use artificial intelligence to analyze how the images change over time after the subject data is collected, providing a more accurate diagnosis than relying on radiologists to evaluate the annual images. It also intends to explore applying the ultrasound technology to scans of other body parts. Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering, believes that this technology will greatly promote the development of ultrasonic research and medical device design, and further contribute to the progress of materials, low-power circuits, artificial intelligence algorithms and biomedical systems. contribute.
Further reading: Race against time!Genetic testing reduces trial and error in breast cancer treatment and improves treatment effectiveness
References:
1. https://news.mit.edu/2023/wearable-ultrasound-scanner-breast-cancer-0728
2. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh5325
3. https://heho.com.tw/archives/167259
4. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/breast-cancer-awareness-month-2022/
5. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html
6. https://www.cmuh.cmu.edu.tw/NewsInfo/NewsArticle?no=7176
7. https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=614&pid=1124
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