Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the US have developed a device that can identify breast cancer and accurately differentiate between benign and malignant tumours.
The device analyses ultrasound images of the breast to derive the mechanical properties of the tissue when it is compressed. It then quantifies the non-linear behaviour of the tumour tissue to determine whether it is malignant or benign.
Results are displayed in less than five minutes.
In a clinical study, researchers used the technology to analyse ten data sets; five from patients with benign tumours and five from patients with malignant tumours.
The system correctly diagnosed nine out of ten patients, with the one error a false positive.
Lead researcher Sevan Goenezen said the new method offers less expensive, more effective and safer diagnosis of breast cancer, and that it may also be adapted to diagnose other diseases.
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