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Siemens Collaborates With Duke University to Advance Breast Imaging; Prototype Digital Breast Tomosynthesis System Presented at RSNA 2005

Posted on: Monday, 21 November 2005, 09:00 CST

Demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive breast care solutions, Siemens Medical Solutions will present its prototype digital breast tomosynthesis (tomo) system* at the 91st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 (booth #4337) in Chicago. The system, developed in close collaboration with Duke University Medical Center, is based on Siemens' Mammomat(R) NovationDR full-field digital mammography system. It is being investigated in preliminary clinical trials for the detection of subtle mass lesions often undetectable by conventional mammography.

"Siemens actively invests in research and technologies to advance detection and diagnosis of disease," said Holger Schmidt, president, Special Systems Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Through a dedicated team of researchers at both Duke and Siemens, we have developed a breast tomosynthesis system. We hope it will be a major step in diagnosis that will provide a women's health solution and revolutionize the way breast cancer is treated."

The new prototype employs a Mammomat NovationDR system modified with a motorized X-ray tube to acquire image projections of the breast from many different angles, as well as a digital detector for increased speed and quality image acquisition. Preliminary results conducted at Duke with several mastectomy and patient cases suggest that the new tomo system is able to detect subtle mass lesions otherwise difficult to pick up with standard mammography. When fully developed, this new solution is expected to further enhance diagnostic ability by improving sensitivity of breast cancer detection, and more importantly, increase workflow by reducing false positives/misdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies.

"Breast tomosynthesis may be one of the first techniques that can actually replace conventional 2D mammography," said Joseph Lo, Ph.D., assistant research professor of Radiology, Duke Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Medical Center. "While mammography is sensitive at finding cancer, it sometimes results in false positives -- leading to workflow issues for the clinician and unnecessary strain on the patient. The goal of our studies is to reduce these false positives by providing 3D information at the same high resolution and reasonable dose as mammography, while also improving patient comfort."

Featuring a large field-of-view enabled by a large area detector, the prototype system is designed to be suitable for nearly all breast sizes. It has the potential to provide high sensitivity and specificity, which could allow radiologists to detect and characterize suspicious lesions more precisely. With low-dose 3D mammography, it may eliminate normal tissue overlap, which might otherwise obscure lesions. Additionally, enhanced visibility to view masses may be made possible with high contrast resolution.

"If digital breast tomosynthesis fulfills its promise of providing the unusual combination of greater sensitivity coupled with greater specificity and improved patient comfort, it may rapidly replace routine 2D mammography in the screening setting," said Jay Baker, M.D., chief, Division of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center. "While careful clinical trials are required to confirm the potential advantages of tomosynthesis, initial testing has been encouraging and tomosynthesis images have demonstrated extraordinary anatomic clarity."

Ongoing studies are underway in an effort to improve upon the existing prototype and to optimize radiographic techniques to produce superb image quality with reduced dose. Researchers are also exploring a new acquisition and viewing workstation based on Siemens' syngo(R) platform with the intent to enhance image processing and workflow. Preliminary clinical trials are planned to begin in the coming months.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005 (preliminary figures). More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

* The information about this product is preliminary. The product is under development and is not commercially available in the U.S. and its future availability cannot be ensured.

PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Source: Business Wire

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