A new portable ultrasound device developed by researchers at MIT could expand access to breast cancer screening, especially for individuals at high risk of developing the disease.

The system, described in Advanced Healthcare Materials, consists of a compact ultrasound probe and a motherboard slightly larger than a smartphone. When connected to a laptop, it produces wide-angle 3D images in real time. It is designed to image up to 15 centimeters deep into tissue and capture the entire breast from two or three positions.

Unlike conventional ultrasound systems, which are typically bulky, expensive, and require skilled technicians, this new device is low-cost, portable, and uses less power. All electronics used are commercially available, and the estimated cost of the motherboard is around $300.
"Everything is more compact, and that can make it easier to be used in rural areas or for people who may have barriers to this kind of technology," said Canan Dagdeviren, associate professor of media arts and sciences at MIT and senior author of the study.

Lead authors include Colin Marcus, a Ph.D. candidate, and former MIT postdoctoral fellow Md Osman Goni Nayeem. The team also includes researchers from the MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Central Florida.

In a preliminary test, the device was able to accurately image breast cysts in a 71-year-old patient and produce full 3D scans without distortion. Unlike traditional probes that require pressure against the skin, this system rests on the surface, reducing image artifacts.

MIT researchers are currently running larger clinical trials at the MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research and MGH. Future plans include developing a smartphone-compatible version and integrating an AI-guided app for probe placement.

Dagdeviren is in the process of launching a startup to commercialize the technology, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and other MIT-affiliated programs.

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