New Ultrasound System for Breast Cancer Research in 2012

?The Ultrasonix Company headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, develops and manufactures diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems. With the current focus in the medical industry on using ultrasound for cancer detection in dense breasts, Ultrasonix is now finishing an ultrasound system that automatically captures high resolution images of a full breast in just two to four minutes. Compared to the traditional freehand ultrasound systems used in the past, the new SonixEmbrace system is at least five times faster and less likely to produce imaging variations caused by differences in scanning methods.
Ultrasonix believes the SonixEmbrace system will be well received by cancer researchers all over the world who will benefit from the system’s easy access to massive amounts of raw data that is ideal for both performing research on cancer detection and treatment monitoring.

The SonixEmbrace system utilizes a patented 360 degree rotating concave ultrasound transducer design to capture uncompressed images of each breast while the patient lies face down in a comfortable position. When integrated with the Ultrasonix Research platform the system can also be used in conjunction with reconstructed B-Mode ultrasound planes. Ultrasonix hopes the system will revolutionize breast cancer research going forward and Kris Dickie, director of research and OEM at Ultrasonix, said “Our roots are in the research community and 50% of ultrasound research papers that are published are based on work done on our systems. We’re looking forward to increasing our presence in the pre-clinical and clinical research world. I believe we’re one of the few companies whose systems bridge the gap between research on animals and people.”

In addition to cancer detection uses, researchers also hope to use the Ultrasonix research platform to monitor cell death, a feat that allows researchers to determine the success of treatment within as little as one to four weeks. Info from the system can also be integrated with Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to provide more complete pictures of breast tissues. Ultrasonix also has plans to demonstrate its preclinical research platform with dedicated applications small animal imaging, access to online imaging guides and the ability to record a full breast exam for reference and training purposes. The platform’s unique ability to image at both high and low frequencies will also allow users to translate research from preclinical to clinical studies on the same platform. Ultrasonix will demonstrate the SonixEmbrace system for the first time at the annual American Association of Cancer Research conference held in Chicago this spring.