A novel, stationary 3D X-ray source for improved breast imaging

"This project aims to show how breast cancer can be detected earlier by Adaptix's novel X-ray source.

In the UK, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life, the most common cancer in women in the UK (31% of cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancer). Earlier, more accurate detection enables better chances of survival and reduces the likelihood of needing radical surgery (mastectomy) and aggressive follow-up treatment.

The Adaptix source will enable higher sensitivity compared to current 2D mammography systems where some cancers can be obscured by overlying tissue, especially in women with dense breasts. Our source uses a stationary array of small X-ray emitters, instead of a single source, thereby covering a range of angles and a unique way to derive 3D information about a breast. This will make the examination faster and more accurate than current 3D breast tomosynthesis systems that physically move the source, since the movement can blur fine detail such as calcifications seen in the early stages of cancer.

Adaptix have already demonstrated the use of a flat panel X-ray source for analysing teeth and joints. Breast imaging requires the highest image quality of all X-ray procedures, and requires the Adaptix source to be larger and with a lower X-ray energy.

This project will support Adaptix to work with Surrey University and RSCH, who have developed a complete set of end-to-end mammography simulation tools and will apply this to the Adaptix source. The software models every emitter's X-ray output, a chosen detector's exact response to X-rays, and uses these to virtually image a large range of detailed and realistic virtual breast models with and without cancer. The results are indistinguishable from real images. It means that a huge range of parameters can be experimented with and optimized without having to develop multiple physical prototypes or subject women to radiation in a clinical study.

This project will demonstrate the theoretical advantages of the Adaptix source, which will help Adaptix secure a contract with a global medical systems company, to integrate this source into a new line of precision mammography devices for worldwide distribution.

The UK invented the CT and MRI scanner, both of which are now manufactured off-shore. Supporting Adaptix will help bring another transformational UK technology to market and reduce the cost of world-class healthcare, as well as keeping production on-shore to secure UK manufacturing jobs."