Enhancing Portable Ultrasound Machine for Detecting Breast Masses in Ultrasound Breast Images

Abstract

The aim of this research is enhancing Breast masses extraction from Ultrasound Breast images of a portable Ultrasound machine and improving the interpretation of Medical Officers using Computer-Assisted Detection techniques.Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and mothers all around the world. Detecting Breast Cancer in early stage may increase survival chance of patients. Among different methods of breast screening Ultrasound is one of the safest and the most cost effective way. A portable Ultrasound machine can be used to distribute the benefits of early stage breast screening with lower cost and higher number of patients specifically in country sides and far away centers around countries with wide people distributions. Modes of operation, transducer, frequency and contrast were the main parameters in this work. Ultrasound images were acquired considering an applicable range of setting for these parameters in B-Mode Ultrasound.Using MATLAB Image Processing Tool Box and an enhancement and detection algorithm could produce a set of results that were reviewed and marked by two experienced radiologists. A sensitivity of 99% and accuracy of 98% for proposed framework were come from statistical analysis of results.Applicability, predicting chance of Breast Cancer, safety, cost effective and reliability are some of the key point for this work. It has high implementation possibilities and can simply realize and add to any portable Ultrasound machine.