DigiMAM:A Sensitive Early Detection System for Breast Cancer
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: Mammography has attained widespread acceptance as an important tool for the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. In traditional mammography, the breast is x-rayed and the X-rays transmitted through the breast are detected and recorded by an 'image receptor". Current systems use phosphor screens and photographic film as the receptor. The image is then processed for display on a viewbox. In such film-based mammography, processing of the image is a chemical procedure carried out in a darkroom and there is little flexibility in how the film can be processed. The contrast of the image (which is one factor in determining how well different features within the breast may be seen) on film has a narrow range, which is fixed by the film type and processing conditions (time, temperature and chemical activity). Thus, a particular film image cannot be reprocessed to get a better image, and getting another (better) image requires re-exposure of the patient to X rays. We propose to build prototype solid state pixel detectors as part of a larger system that would replace film (by having the x-ray data go first into a computer in "digital form" which would then generate the image on screen instead of only creating a film image). In addition, we will study the pixel effectiveness for application to digital mammography. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Acquisition of mammograms in digital form offers the possibility of overcoming the limitations of film imaging since, once the image data is in the computer, it can be easily manipulated to obtain the best possible image. In fact, there are several ways in which the performance could be enhanced and the sensitivity of breast cancer detection and diagnosis improved. Such improvements may be in terms of higher contrast, better image resolution (enabling features in the breast to be more easily seen), and the reduction of "noise" (i.e., unwanted electrical signals) in the system. The computer-based images can also be sent through networks for expert consultation. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 These improvements will initially come from acquisition of digital images using the more efficient and higher contrast solid state x-ray crystal detector. Detector elements will be laid down on these crystals so that an image of the X-rays passing through the patient's breast can be produced. These detectors directly convert x-ray energy into electrons (which are used to form the digital images) and can provide superior images with high resolution and low "noise". These detectors also absorb nearly 100% of the X-rays transmitted through the breast, compared to less than 50% for the x-ray films presently used for mammography. This offers the potential for sharper images of the structures in the breast at less than half the radiation dose than currently required. If development of the detectors is successful, we would, using other funding, then line these detectors into a narrow column to scan underneath the patient's breast. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In summary, the improved image resolution and exceptionally good contrast we expect to achieve would result in more accurate images of breast anatomy (using less than half the radiation dose), and therefore more accurate detection of breast cancer.