Abstract
In this study, we reported a photoacoustic (PA) imaging system for whole-breast imaging. Similar to the traditional X-ray mammography, this system slightly compressed the breast by a water tank. The PA signal is acquired via scanning a long unfocused ultrasonic linear array probe over the breast top surface, and the expanded high-energy laser pulses illuminate the breast bottom through a transparent supporting plate. Scanning the unfocused transducer probe is equivalent to a synthetic two-dimensional (2D) matrix array, which significantly increased the field of view (FOV) via a much easier way and at a much lower cost. Our phantom results demonstrated that this system has a great potential for clinical implementation.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women and ranks top of newly diagnosed cancers in 2018 [1]
We presented a prototype PA whole-breast imaging system: photoacoustic synthetic matrix array tomography (PA-Smart)
Our system significantly increased the field of view (FOV) in a much easier way and at a much lower cost for PA breast imaging
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women and ranks top of newly diagnosed cancers in 2018 [1]. X-ray mammography serves as the standard imaging method, it suffers lower sensitivity for dense breasts [5], and the radiation hazard prevents it to be frequently used. Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are common imaging modalities adjunct to mammography [6,7,8]. US is the most convenient clinical imaging method, but it primarily depicts the structural information with relatively lower specificity, as well as its diagnosis accuracy highly depends on the physician’s personal experience. The emerging photoacoustic (PA) breast imaging method gained increasing attention with promising clinical study results [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
