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MetaMammography: Molecular
Function Enhanced Mammography--Photon Imaging, Inc.,
Dr. Bradley E. Patt, Principal
Investigator, bradpatt@compuserve.com
Dr. Jan S. Iwanczyk, Business
Official, iwanczyk@compuserve.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83874
Amount:
$750,000
By combining high detection rate with 98% sensitivity, relative low cost,
safety, and widespread availability, x-ray mammography (XMM) has remained the
mainstay of early breast cancer detection. However,
this technique has several limitations, particularly its low positive predictive
value (20-50%). During the past
decade, numerous studies have shown that scintimammography (SMM), when used in
conjunction with XMM, can significantly reduce the false-positive rate.
Because SMM has specificities and positive predictive values of 80-100%,
this project will develop a combined
scintimammography (SMM) digital x-ray mammography (DXMM) imaging system
utilizing a dedicated breast gamma camera, a digital x-ray detector, and
specialized camera bucky. The system
will provide co-registered SMM and XMM images without moving the breast. These
images will be fused to provide a new type of mammogram showing microanatomy in
gray scale overlayed with a threshold functional image using pseudocolor.
Phase I achieved a prototype system that demonstrated co-registered
x-ray and gamma ray images. A novel
compression stage was used to position the breast for imaging by both the gamma
camera and the digital x-ray camera. Because
the expected advantages are for screening high-risk
dense-breast patients, as opposed to diagnosis of suspicious lesions, the Phase
II system will be optimized and scaled up for full-field-of-view mammography and
scintimammography. Once the hardware
is constructed, a pilot clinical study of 150 patients will be conducted.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:
The new mammography system should address the need for improved breast
cancer screening and diagnosis. The
market is extremely large with over 10,000 certified mammography facilities in
the