Integrated Breast Ultrasound Make Exams Easier and Faster

An innovative patient-centric ultrasound solution for breast assessment combines advanced imaging, full solution elastography, screening, and precision biopsy.

The Royal Philips Ultimate Breast Solution brings together high-quality imaging with complementary clinical tools tailored for breast screenings. The system combines four features that work seamlessly together for comprehensive and confident screening and diagnosis that enhance reproducibility and streamlines workflow, while preserving image quality during the breast exam. Using Anatomical Intelligence, the system visually maps and annotates screened anatomy with minimal user interaction, documenting full coverage of the breast during the acquisition phase.

The Ultimate Breast Solution takes advantage of the PureWave eL18-4 ultra-broadband linear array transducer and Philips PureWave crystal technology, delivering fine-elevation focusing for exceptional detail resolution and tissue uniformity, as well as extended depth of field. In addition, ElastQ Imaging shear wave and strain elastography helps clinicians rapidly assess a wide array of breast lesions. Finally, a new precision biopsy tool allows physicians to perform more targeted biopsies, reducing blind zones and enhancing needle reflections during interventional procedures.

“Ultrasound plays an increasingly important role in breast cancer screening and assessment, helping to detect lesions that mammography alone may not find. Philips is committed to developing the tools clinicians need to deliver the best care for their patients,” said Jeff Cohen, ultrasound general imaging business leader at Philips. “Our integrated ultrasound solution for breast assessment delivers high-quality imaging enhanced by anatomical intelligence for results clinicians can trust.”

“The best way to increase the survival rate from breast cancer is to detect it early. For women with dense breasts, ultrasound can be very helpful in detecting masses not easily seen on the mammogram,” said Marcela Böhm-Vélez, MD, of Weinstein Imaging Associates (Pittsburgh, PA, USA). “I have been impressed by Philips' continued investment and innovation in developing breast assessment solutions, so that I can provide optimal care for my patients.”

Women with dense breast often have small cancerous lesions that are masked by the tissue during X-ray mammography. In such cases, clinicians often rely on ultrasound as a follow-up diagnostic test when lesions are suspected. According to a 2014 report published by the Journal of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), an estimated 43.3% of women between the ages of 40 and 74 years old have extremely dense breast tissue.