New Imaging Technique helping surgeons to effectively remove all tumours during initial Breast Cancer Surgery

All information and images were kindly provided by Phd Researcher Wes Allen from the University of Western Australia, BRITElab at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.  Futek's Jnr S Beam Load Cells are used as part of the process.

Breast cancer has the second highest mortality rate of cancers in females. Breast-conserving surgery is the most common surgical procedure used in the treatment of early stage breast cancer. The aim of this surgery is to remove all malignant tissue surrounded by a ‘margin’ of healthy tissue. Malignant tumours found within the margin is associated with a higher rate of re occurrence of cancer and as a result the patient may undergo a second surgery. Currently, 20–30% of patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery require additional surgeries.

Compression optical coherence elastography is a high resolution optical imaging technique that probes the mechanical properties of tissue. The technique can identify regions of malignant tumour by generating three-dimensional images of tissue elasticity.

The bench-top system incorporates a motorised lab jack to apply a bulk preload to the tissue before elastography is performed. Biological tissues, including human breast tissue, exhibit nonlinear stress-strain relationships. In order to be able to perform intra- and inter-specimen comparison of elasticity the bulk preload and resulting applied force must be considered. FUTEK miniature s-beam load cells are mounted onto the motorised lab jack. The applied force is monitored as the bulk preload is applied.

After publishing a number of studies on the feasibility of the technique, their group are embarking on a larger scale clinical study to determine the sensitivity and sensitivity of the technique for clinical assessment of tumour margins. Their vision is that this technology will be used in surgery theatres around the world in the future, reducing the number of additional surgeries required.

For further information about the Research undertaken by BRITElab at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, please contact Mr Wes Allen on +61 8 6151 0700.  For further information on the Futek Load Cell used please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au