Enhanced Digital Breast Imaging From US Navy-Funded Technology

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 23 Jul 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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A breakthrough technology adapted for breast cancer detection based in part on research originally sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is set to air July 23 during a CNN International news segment on Vital Signs, a program hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

The technology, referred to by the U.S. Navy as enhanced digital imaging, developed out of the Navy's need to improve capabilities to detect, localize and classify underwater mines. It later served as the point of departure for research conducted by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWC), part of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), designed to enhance the discrimination of data in complex underwater environments. Researchers at NUWC later patented the enhanced digital imaging process.

The NUWC's Technology Transfer program, also known as T2, made possible the transfer, commercialization and transition of the digital enhancement technology. The innovative concept was adapted by software developer, Advanced Image Enhancement (AIE), to provide improved enhancement of digital mammography images, thereby increasing the potential for improved reliability in the early detection of breast cancer.

The Vital Signs July program series is reporting on select medical advances born from military research, both on the battlefield out of necessity and other sources, highlighting how innovations eventually are applied in emergency rooms and medical procedures around the world.

AIE technology complements existing radiology devices by yielding more detailed images, especially by uncovering the often faint cancerous lesions in dense and hard-to-detect breast tissue. It is expected to be commercially available in the late summer 2009.

Source:
Peter Vietti
Office of Naval Research