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Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a portable ultrasound imaging system aimed at making breast exams easier and more regular, especially for women at higher risk of breast cancer or with dense breast tissue. The system does not directly replace approved medical exams, but it offers a new concept for how breast tissue can be monitored frequently, either in a clinic or eventually at home, without needing a specialized operator each time.

Gap between annual screenings

Many early detection programs rely on mammography once a year. However, some tumors may appear between exams, known as interval cancers. According to an MIT report, these account for 20 to 30 percent of breast cancers and often tend to be more aggressive.

This motivated Canan Dagdeviren, an associate professor of media arts and sciences at MIT and lead author of the study, to develop an imaging method that can be used more frequently than traditional mammography and is particularly suitable for women with dense breast tissue. Dagdeviren lost a relative to cancer that appeared between two annual screenings, prompting her to consider technology that could support closer temporal monitoring.

A magnified micrograph shows the chip design and distribution of wire connections at its corners (university)

Imaging from a small device

The new system relies on a small ultrasound probe connected to an acquisition and processing unit slightly larger than a smartphone. It can create a three-dimensional image of the entire breast by scanning only two or three points, rather than relying on large machines and specialized operators as in many conventional ultrasound exams.

The new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, indicates that the team improved image quality and resolution compared to earlier versions. The researchers added a backing layer to the ultrasound transducer that helps contain and focus waves and reduces acoustic and electrical noise, resulting in clearer images. They also developed an algorithm to adjust the beamforming process according to different sound speeds in tissue types, such as skin and fat. The researchers said this processing improved accuracy by up to 10 percent.

Interface guides the user

The project's importance is not limited to miniaturizing the device or improving the image; it extends to the method of use. The researchers designed a computer interface that guides the user to place the probe in the correct position, displaying live images on the screen. Dagdeviren says the interface helps place the device in the same location at each exam, which is important for monitoring the same tissue over long periods.

The team tested non-specialists' ability to use the system. In an experiment with ten volunteers, they were asked to identify small targets within a model simulating human tissue, and they achieved better results using the new system compared to a conventional probe. In another experiment involving seven people, users were able to place the probe in the correct position when repeating the exam.

Integration of the ultrasound transducer with array attachment onto the circuit board after placing and processing the acoustic backing layer on the top surface (university)

Monitoring treatment, not just diagnosis

This type of device could play a role in early detection, but it may also be important in monitoring patients after or during treatment. The ability to image the same location multiple times can help monitor known changes, such as fibroids or microcalcifications, or track a patient's response to treatments given before surgery.

The researchers believe the technology could also reduce full reliance on the availability of ultrasound technicians, especially in areas with a shortage of specialized personnel. The team hopes to develop an interface that can be used in the future via phone or tablet, making the system more portable and suitable for daily use.

A research step before commercial application

Despite the promises of the system, it is still in the research phase and has not yet become a commercially available medical device. Some team members are working to establish a company to push the technology toward practical use, with breast imaging as the first targeted application. Dagdeviren notes that the platform could later extend to imaging other soft tissues, such as monitoring ovarian cancer, measuring endometrial development, or fetal monitoring.

The project represents a growing trend in portable medical devices that transfer some imaging capabilities from the hospital to smaller, easier-to-use tools, without sacrificing accuracy or medical follow-up. If this technology successfully passes testing and regulatory stages, it could make breast imaging more accessible to women who need frequent monitoring, not just annual screening.