Mass Characteristic Frequency Shear Wave Analysis for Breast Cancer Biomarkers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shear wave elastography methods fail to consistently correlate with prognostic factors and biomarkers in breast cancer, leading to inadequate performance in differentiating benign from malignant lesions and predicting invasive breast cancer aggressiveness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the mass characteristic frequency, a shear wave parameter derived from the ratio of minimum shear wave speed to physical parameters, which is correlated with prognostic histologic features and immunohistochemical biomarkers, such as ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67, to improve the assessment of breast cancer invasiveness and treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional shear wave elastography parameters (mean, maximum, minimum elasticity) are used for breast cancer diagnosis, then tissue stiffness can be measured, but the correlation with prognostic factors and biomarkers remains inconsistent and insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms traditional shear wave elastography parameters by introducing a new parameter - the slope of the shear wave velocity versus frequency curve. This parameter change enables consistent correlation with prognostic factors (histologic grade, lymph node involvement) and biomarkers (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67) that were not achievable with conventional elasticity measurements alone.
2Loss of information
If core needle biopsy is performed to obtain biomarker information, then prognostic and predictive factors can be assessed, but sampling errors and tumor heterogeneity lead to results that may differ from surgical excision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes ultrasound imaging multi-functional by enabling it to provide both anatomical information and functional biomarker information through the slope parameter. This allows the imaging modality to serve multiple diagnostic purposes, reducing reliance on biopsy sampling and providing comprehensive tumor characterization without the limitations of core needle biopsy.
3Reliability
If shear wave elastography is added to clinical ultrasound, then specificity for differentiating malignant from benign lesions improves, but the ability to predict tumor aggressiveness and treatment response remains inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shear wave analysis into two distinct components: traditional elasticity measurements for lesion characterization and the novel slope parameter for prognostic assessment. This segmentation allows each parameter to optimize its specific function - elasticity for benign/malignant differentiation and slope for aggressiveness prediction and biomarker correlation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the specificity and sensitivity of breast cancer diagnosis, providing non-invasive and cost-effective information on tumor stiffness and biomarker expression, potentially improving treatment outcomes by accurately differentiating tumor subtypes and predicting response to chemotherapy.
Implementation Method 1
Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new emerging technique in breast cancer diagnosis by measuring the tissue stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound systems and methods are provided using mass characterization frequency methods that provide for predicting benign or malignant lesions, a response to treatment, tumor grading, and/or the expressions of immunohistochemical biomarkers, which are currently used for breast cancer classification and hormone therapy determination. The systems and methods are based on the shear wave parameter, mass characteristic frequency. The status of malignancy, treatment response, grade, and/or each immunohistochemical biomarker may be determined based on a corresponding mass characteristic frequency threshold.