MammoWave · Project

Radiation-Free Breast Cancer Screening Device Using Safe Microwaves Instead of X-Rays

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Imagine getting a breast cancer check that works like a Wi-Fi signal scanning your body instead of zapping you with X-rays. MammoWave uses harmless microwaves to create images of breast tissue, detecting tumors with over 90% accuracy — without the painful squeezing that mammograms are infamous for. It's like replacing an old film camera with a smartphone camera: safer, more comfortable, and just as sharp. The device is compact enough to be placed in clinics, pharmacies, or mobile screening units, making cancer checks far more accessible.

By the numbers

90%+

Sensitivity in ongoing clinical trials

MammoWave units assembled

1 in 9

Women who will acquire breast cancer in their lifetime

1 in 30

Women who will die from breast cancer

The business problem

What needed solving

Breast cancer affects 1 in 9 women, yet the current screening gold standard — mammography — uses ionizing radiation and painful breast compression, causing many women to skip or delay screenings. Countries running mass screening programs face high infrastructure costs (radiation-shielded rooms, specialized staff) and growing public resistance to X-ray exposure, leaving a gap between the need for early detection and the willingness of women to actually show up.

The solution

What was built

The project built 8 complete MammoWave screening units — a microwave-based breast imaging device that detects cancer without X-rays or breast compression. Clinical trials demonstrated sensitivity above 90%, putting it on par with conventional mammography while being safer and more patient-friendly.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical device distributors looking for differentiated screening productsPrivate women's health clinics wanting to attract more patientsMobile screening operators needing radiation-free equipmentNational health services running mass breast cancer screening programsOccupational health providers adding cancer screening to employee wellness packages

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical device distribution

mid-size

Target: Medical equipment distributors and hospital procurement departments

If you are a medical device distributor looking for the next breakthrough screening product — this project built 8 working MammoWave units that detect breast cancer with sensitivity above 90%, using safe microwaves instead of X-rays. The device eliminates ionizing radiation exposure and painful breast compression, addressing two of the biggest patient complaints about mammography. This gives you a competitive product that can open new screening locations where X-ray machines are impractical or unwelcome.

Private healthcare clinics

SME

Target: Women's health clinics and private screening centers

If you are a private clinic offering women's health services and struggling with patient reluctance toward mammograms — this project developed a comfortable, radiation-free screening device with sensitivity above 90% in clinical trials. No X-ray shielding rooms are needed, meaning lower facility costs and faster setup. You can differentiate your clinic by offering a screening experience that patients actually prefer, driving higher appointment volumes.

Mobile health services

SME

Target: Mobile screening and occupational health providers

If you are a mobile health provider wanting to bring breast cancer screening directly to workplaces or rural communities — MammoWave requires no ionizing radiation, eliminating the regulatory burden and safety infrastructure of mobile X-ray units. With 8 units already assembled and clinical trial data showing sensitivity above 90%, this device is designed for deployment beyond traditional hospital settings. This means you can reach the 1 in 9 women who will face breast cancer in locations where mammography trucks cannot operate.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does a MammoWave unit cost compared to a standard mammography machine?

The project data does not disclose unit pricing. However, because MammoWave uses microwaves instead of X-rays, it eliminates the need for radiation shielding, lead-lined rooms, and specialized radiological staff — all major cost drivers in mammography. Contact the manufacturer directly for pricing and volume discounts.

Can this scale to national screening programs?

The project already assembled 8 MammoWave units, demonstrating manufacturing capability beyond a single prototype. The device's design — no radiation, no breast compression, compact form factor — makes it suitable for mass screening programs. Scaling to national level would require regulatory clearance in each target country and manufacturing partnerships.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

MammoWave was developed by Umbria Bioengineering Technologies, an Italian SME that is the sole consortium partner and full IP owner. As an SME Instrument Phase 2 project, IP remains with the company. Licensing or distribution agreements would need to be negotiated directly with them.

What regulatory approvals does MammoWave have?

The project data mentions ongoing clinical trials with sensitivity above 90%. As a medical device, MammoWave would require CE marking in Europe and FDA clearance in the US. Based on available project data, the exact regulatory status at project close is not specified — prospective partners should verify current certification status.

How accurate is MammoWave compared to traditional mammography?

Clinical trials conducted during the project show sensitivity above 90%, which is competitive with standard digital mammography (typically 85-90% sensitivity). The key added value is not just accuracy but the elimination of ionizing radiation and painful breast compression, which can increase patient compliance and screening frequency.

What is the timeline to deploy a unit in my facility?

With 8 units already assembled by project end, the technology has moved beyond prototype stage. Deployment timelines would depend on local regulatory requirements, facility readiness, and training needs. Since no radiation shielding is required, facility preparation is significantly simpler than for mammography equipment.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: Umbria Bioengineering Technologies, an Italian SME, is the sole partner. Funded under the SME Instrument Phase 2 (now EIC Accelerator), which specifically backs high-potential SMEs ready to scale. The 100% industry composition with zero academic partners signals this is a commercialization-focused effort, not a research exercise. For a business partner, this means one decision-maker, one entity to negotiate with, and a company that has skin in the game as both developer and future manufacturer.

UMBRIA BIOENGINEERING TECNOLOGIES SOCIETA A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATACoordinator · IT

How to reach the team

Umbria Bioengineering Technologies (UBT) in Italy — reachable through their company website

Order a report on this consortium See UMBRIA BIOENGINEERING TECNOLOGIES SOCIETA A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the MammoWave team? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting to discuss distribution, licensing, or deployment partnerships.

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