Imagine using the same technology that finds oil deep underground to find tumors in the breast. Instead of using harmful X-rays, it uses sound waves and massive computer power to create a 3D map of the tissue. It doesn't just show a picture; it also tells the doctor exactly how confident the computer is about every single pixel in that image.
Current breast cancer screening relies on X-rays (radiation) or ultrasound with limited quantitative accuracy and no way to measure the reliability of the image pixels.
A software-driven imaging modality that uses supercomputing to produce 3D quantitative ultrasound images and corresponding uncertainty maps.
If you are a hardware manufacturer dealing with the limitations of traditional 2D ultrasound — this project developed algorithms and data acquisition adaptations that provide MRI-like 3D image quality without radiation.
If you are a software developer dealing with diagnostic uncertainty in imaging — this project developed a way to generate uncertainty maps at the cost of a single image, allowing doctors to see exactly where data is reliable.
If you are a clinic dealing with patient concerns over radiation from mammograms — this project developed a radiation-free screening tool that provides quantitative tissue images for better tumor monitoring.
Based on available project data, specific pricing for the end-user is not provided, though the project received an EU contribution of EUR 2,744,300 for development.
The project focuses on scalability by using high-performance computing at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center to ensure a short time-to-solution for image generation.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the consortium includes 2 SMEs and 2 industry partners, including a spin-off called FrontWave Imaging.
The technology is being tested for integration within the clinical care process at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital Breast Pathology Unit for diagnosis and monitoring.
The project period ended on 2024-09-30, suggesting the fundamental research and initial validation phase is complete.
The consortium is well-balanced for technology transfer, featuring a 33% industry ratio with 2 SMEs and 2 industry partners. By combining the computational power of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center with clinical validation from Vall d'Hebron Hospital and technical expertise from Imperial College London, the project bridges the gap between high-level physics and bedside medical application.
Contact the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC)
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the QUSTom uncertainty-aware imaging algorithms.
