Data in the literature has consistently shown that there is not only significant inherent contrast in theelectrical bioimpedance of normal and neoplastic breast tissue but also that spectroscopic response canprovide important functional information. Further, efforts to develop tomographic imaging systems based onelectrical impedance have matured to the point where many of its basic principles and practices are wellunderstood. Project II, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and Imaging (EIS), has exploited this foundationto target identification of the most promising roles for EIS imaging in the setting of clinical breast care.During the current funding period, it has completed an ambitious effort to construct, deploy and initiallyevaluate an ultra-fast, multi-channel, multi-frequency imaging system capable of delivering a volumetricbreast exam safely, comfortably and efficiently. The system and its prior prototypes have been used in wellover 100 clinical sessions in order to (i) establish exam consistency, (ii) identify normative responses inbreasts without disease, (iii) explore electrical property variations due to hormonal changes during themenstrual cycle and (iv) evaluate the detection and characterization of screening abnormalities. The drivingforce for Project II renewal is optimization, validation and thorough evaluation of the most recently installedEIS imaging system which is, by far, the most advanced version of the instrument that is expected toimprove considerably the prior encouraging results.
The specific aims for continuation include (1) dataacquisition and breast interface optimization of electrode density, geometry, and registration for three-dimensional,high frequency EIS breast imaging, (2) software optimization for ultrafast frame-rates, multi-tonetesting, virtual current drive along with three-dimensional high frequency image reconstruction, (3)development, validation and utilization of a probe-based measurement system suitable for studies of EIS-imagedbreast tissues at the time of surgical resection, and (4) participation in clinical studies conductedthrough the Clinical Core which target screening abnormalities recommended for biopsy, palpable masseson clinical breast exams and locally-advanced cancers receiving neoadjuvant therapy. If successful, it isexpected that these aims will generate sufficient evidence to allow convincing estimates of the potential ofEIS breast imaging as an alternative for differential diagnosis and pilot data in support of a role in treatmentprognosis and therapy monitoring to be made which would inform decisions on the initiation of multi-centertrials with the technology in the future.
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