Description of Invention: The invention offered for licensing is in the field of breast cancer imaging. More specifically it relates to novel breast phantoms that can be used as reference in breast imaging. The anthropomorphic breast phantoms described in the invention comprise a combination of adipose tissue mimicking components and fibroglandular tissue mimicking components. Typically, x-ray attenuation coefficients or magnetic resonance relaxation times T1 and T2 are selected that are sufficiently similar to actual patient tissues. The mimicking components are distributed within the phantom such that images of the phantom contain features similar to those of patient tissues. A breast phantom can be based on a lard/egg white combination that is shaped to approximate a human breast, or a compressed human breast as prepared for mammography. The phantoms can include lesion chambers that permit the introduction of contrast agents to simulate benign or malignant lesions, and contrast agent concentration can be time varied to produce washout curves.
Applications: Imaging of breast cancer as well as calibration and optimization of related instrumentation.
Advantages: The breast phantoms of the invention precisely mimics human breast in several of their characteristics as mentioned above. Furthermore, they can be utilized in conjunction with X-ray mammography and/or with MRI. The phantoms may therefore be used to enhance the accuracy and quality of diagnostic breast imaging, and thus avoid unnecessary procedures. In addition, wide-spread use of the breast phantoms will lead to improved standardization in the field of breast imaging.
Development Status: The methods of making the phantoms have been established. Clinical usefulness has to be established.
Inventors: Aldo Badano (FDA) Melanie Freed (FDA)
Patent Status: HHS, Reference No. E-126-2010/0 US, Application No. 61/385,929 filed 23 Sep 2010 (entitled "Evaluation of Breast Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging") US, Application No. 61/424,495 filed 17 Dec 2010 (entitled "Anthropomorphic, X-ray and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phantom for Quantitative Evaluation of Breast Imaging Techniques")
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Portfolios: Cancer Cancer - Diagnostics
For Licensing Information Please Contact: John Stansberry Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: js852e@nih.gov Phone: 301-435-5236 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
The invention offered for licensing is in the field of breast cancer imaging. More specifically it relates to novel breast phantoms that can be used as reference in breast imaging. The anthropomorphic breast phantoms described in the invention comprise a combination of adipose tissue mimicking components and fibroglandular tissue mimicking components. Typically, x-ray attenuation coefficients or magnetic resonance relaxation times T1 and T2 are selected that are sufficiently similar to actual patient tissues. The mimicking components are distributed within the phantom such that images of the phantom contain features similar to those of patient tissues. A breast phantom can be based on a lard/egg white combination that is shaped to approximate a human breast, or a compressed human breast as prepared for mammography. The phantoms can include lesion chambers that permit the introduction of contrast agents to simulate benign or malignant lesions, and contrast agent concentration can be time varied to produce washout curves.
Applications:
Imaging of breast cancer as well as calibration and optimization of related instrumentation.
Advantages:
The breast phantoms of the invention precisely mimics human breast in several of their characteristics as mentioned above. Furthermore, they can be utilized in conjunction with X-ray mammography and/or with MRI. The phantoms may therefore be used to enhance the accuracy and quality of diagnostic breast imaging, and thus avoid unnecessary procedures. In addition, wide-spread use of the breast phantoms will lead to improved standardization in the field of breast imaging.
Development Status:
The methods of making the phantoms have been established. Clinical usefulness has to be established.
Inventors:
Aldo Badano (FDA)
Melanie Freed (FDA)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-126-2010/0
US, Application No. 61/385,929 filed 23 Sep 2010 (entitled "Evaluation of Breast Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging")
US, Application No. 61/424,495 filed 17 Dec 2010 (entitled "Anthropomorphic, X-ray and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phantom for Quantitative Evaluation of Breast Imaging Techniques")
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.
Portfolios:
Cancer
Cancer - Diagnostics
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
John Stansberry Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: js852e@nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5236
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2228
Updated: 02/2011