Advanced NMR Systems, Inc. plans to develop a dedicated, low-cost magnetic resonance (MR) breast scanner which will provide the known benefits of MR of non-ionizing radiation, sensitivity to TI and T2 relaxation, flow and diffusion contrast and 3D multi-slice and volume imaging. Recent evidence has shown that with the tiscof paramagnetic contrast agents such as Gd-DTPA, dynamic MR can differentiate between malignant and benign breast tissue, When coupled with MR's ability to scan the dense and "difficult breast" it suggests an important role for MR in the detection of breast cancer, especially as a biopsy selection screen which should reduce the number, and hence the human and financial cost, of surgical biopsies. The company intends to include as a key feature of the scanner the ability to take ultra-high speed MR images; a technology in which it has recognized expertise. This will enable motion free images, including dynamic contrast and perfusion studies, to be obtained with high throughput and at concomitant low cost. In Phase I a novel magnet configuration, forming the basis of the scanner, will be investigated. Analysis software will be developed and used to determine a specific design. Both manufacturing and maintenance costs, and field strength and homogeneity in the imaging volume will be optimized. Particular attentions will be given to imaging and clinical requirements for the scanner magnet. In Phase II a magnetic prototype will be fabricated and the rest of the MR breast scanner will be developed. Initial clinical trials will be carried out to evaluate the performance of the scanner.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The approximately 10,000 facilities performing mammography today (up from under 4,000 in 1985) represent a potentially large market for the dedicated low-cost, high throughput MR breast scanner and novel compact magnet. The unit will perform rapid noninvasive biopsy selection screening of the breast, tumor localization, and follow-up studies of "difficult" and dense breasts, with the elimination of surgical biopsy as a goal.National Cancer Institute (NCI)
