GE Healthcare received CE Mark approval for its SenoClaire tomosynthesis system with 3D capability. The product uses an iterative reconstruction algorithm to combine data gathered from nine images taken of the breast at different angles into a 3D view. GE is touting the system to be able to provide imaging no worse than traditional 2-view digital mammography, but at half the dose and with only one compression of the breast. Some details from the product page with a video following demonstrating the SenoClaire:
Due to its low dose and non-inferior clinical accuracy, SenoClaire has the potential to replace digital mammography exams in screening at half the dose to help you detect breast cancer. As part of the learning curve process, an additional CC view may be considered along with the 3D MLO view, which will help radiologists become more comfortable with reviewing only the 3D MLO sequence in the near future1.
SenoClaire enables better characterization of malignant and benign findings by providing a 3D MLO view that has superior detection for architectural distortions and masses1 compared with 2D FFDM. Clinical results have shown that the recall rate after a 3D MLO examination is lower than the recall rate after a 2D FFDM exam.
The SenoClaire detector delivers high DQE at low dose for visualizing microcalcifications without binning, a process that regroups pixels for faster readout speeds and improved signal-to-noise ratios, but with reduced image quality.
Step-and-shoot tube motion preserves microcalcification sharpness and avoids image blur, since the tube makes a complete stop for each of the nine exposures. This provides higher peak contrast for microcalcifications than traditional continuous tube motion.
An anti-scatter solution designed for tomosynthesis, the SenoClaire grid in 3D reduces scattered radiation and improves detectability in 3D for breasts of above-average thickness, while preserving dose and performance.
SenoClaire uses ASiRDBT, an iterative reconstruction algorithm that yields FFDM-like images and positively impacts microcalcification conspicuity versus the traditional Filtered Back Projection (FBP) algorithm.
Product page: SenoClaire 3D…
Press release: GE Healthcare Announces CE Marking for Its Breast Tomosynthesis Solution, SenoClaire…