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| GE's SenoClaire breast screening technology--Courtesy of GE |
GE ($GE) today announced the approval of its SenoClaire breast tomosynthesis device that employs 3-D imaging, developed in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Today's announcement marks a key milestone in our mission of providing women with cutting edge screening technology to detect early breast cancer," said Dr. Daniel Kopans, Senior Radiologist, at Massachusetts General Hospital in a statement. "When cancer is identified and treated earlier, we know women have a better rate of survival."
Crucially, GE Healthcare says the radiation dose is the same as that used in standard 2-D imaging, meaning patient safety isn't compromised. In addition, SenoClaire is compatible with GE's picture archiving and communication systems, meaning clinicians can access patients' medical history and data, the company says.
But the main benefit is enhanced image quality in 3-D due to new features like contrast enhanced spectral mammography and automated whole breast ultrasound, said GE in the release.
"3-D breast screening technology helps clinicians uncover small cancers which can be a limiting factor in standard 2-D mammography. As a radiologist, it's important to offer technology like this for patients that produces higher image quality without increasing dose," said Dr. Murray Rebner, director of the division of breast imaging and intervention at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.
3-D breast cancer imaging was first approved by the FDA in 2011. In the study published by JAMA in June, researchers using data compiled from 13 U.S. hospitals found that when using 3-D imaging, 16 fewer women out of 1,000 tested had to undergo more screening compared to those receiving traditional imaging.
- read the release