title: Acoustic performance of mesh compression paddles for a multimodality breast imaging system.
abstract: A system incorporating automated 3-D ultrasound and digital X-ray tomosynthesis is being developed for improved breast lesion detection and characterization. The goal of this work is to develop and test candidates for a dual-modality mesh compression paddle. A Computerized Imaging Reference Systems (Norfork, VA, USA) ultrasound phantom with tilted low-contrast cylindrical objects was used. Polyester mesh fabrics (1- and 2-mm spacing), a high-density polyethylene filament grid (Dyneema, DSM Dyneema, Stanley, NC, USA) and a solid polymethylpentene (TPX; Mitsui Plastics, Inc., White Plains, NY) paddle were compared with no overlying structures using a GE Logic 9 with M12L transducer. A viscous gel provided coupling. The phantom was scanned 10 times over 9 cm for each configuration. Image volumes were analyzed for signal strength, contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio. X-ray tests confirmed X-ray transparency for all materials. By all measures, both mesh fabrics outperformed TPX and Dyneema, and there were essentially no differences between 2-mm mesh and unobstructed configurations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: gllec@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Gerald L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: LeCarpentier
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Mitchell M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Goodsitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Frederic R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Science System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D001940:Breast / Q000502:physiology*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010173:Palpation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Automated ultrasound; Breast cancer screening; Quality assessment