Automated Breast Ultrasound Scanner and Computer Aided Diagnosis

Abstract

Ultrasound examination of the breast is commonly performed by hand held transducer. The procedure is operator dependent and the examiner will be tired to do screening for many candidates. Automatic scanner of ultrasound is necessary for breast mass screening. It is important to design scanner, image recorder, viewer with computer-assisted detection (CAD) as a system. The authors developed an automatic scanner which scans unilateral breast within 30 seconds. An electric linear probe visualizes width of 6 cm, the probe moves 3 paths for unilateral breast. Ultrasonic images are recorded as volume data by DICOM. Special viewer was created for easy reading. Doctors can diagnose by digital rapid viewing with 3D function. It is possible to show unilateral or bilateral images on the monitor. The viewer is considered enough capability to perform ultrasonic breast cancer mass screening. This system will contain computer aided tumor detection scheme being developed. Ultrasonic images are handled as volume data, if physician checks the tumor, the tumor location can be checked automatically on digital mark sheet. This is helpful for both screening doctors and for those of further examination site. Dual display of bilateral breast ultrasonic images is also effective for comparative diagnosis of laterality. With all these functions, the system can be used widely for ultrasonic breast cancer mass screening.