"EMAI is probably going to take this [shear-wave elastography] one step further with faster and more confident diagnostic ability," Brubaker said.

Emerson said that during an exam with EMAI, RF coils would be used in conjunction with a regular ultrasound transducer. For example, during a breast exam, a ring RF coil would be used along with an ultrasound transducer transmitting and receiving the signal. Then, switching the coils on, the signal would only be received and the composite images could be generated.

"In terms of costs, I would anticipate it would be the same as current high-end ultrasound. For the patients, it's an additional exam without going somewhere else," said Emerson.

In theory, a system like this could save health care facilities money since a low-cost ultrasound could replace a more expensive, higher-end system — like MRI or PET — which are normally used for patient follow-up to better diagnose suspicious lesions.

Like shear-wave elastography, Brubaker imagines the technology would be one system.

"We'll see new transducers that will be integrated with ultrasound technology," he said.

Much of the progress of the technology still depends on funding and clinical trials, but EMAI is attractive to many for what it can offer.

The Oxford research group's patented technology is in the process of raising investment and planning for its first clinical trials.

"We think the technology is showing great promise for providing physicians with far more detailed images on which to base their diagnosis, but at a much lower cost than MRI," said Amol Karnick, the CEO Oxford has designated for the technology once it forms into a company. "All parts of the technology have been tested and are fully functional."

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