A recent study published in Scientific Reports introduced the Optical Mammography Co-Imager (OMCI), a system that integrates diffuse optical tomography (DOT) with conventional X-ray mammography.
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Designed to improve breast cancer diagnostics, OMCI enhances tissue assessment by combining physiological and structural imaging, aiming for more accurate and reliable detection.
Advancements in Optical Imaging Technology
Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in women, with an estimated 313,510 new cases in 2024. While screening advancements have reduced mortality rates, traditional methods like full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) still have high false-positive rates and expose patients to ionizing radiation.
Emerging imaging techniques such as contrast-enhanced MRI and PET scans improve diagnostic accuracy but are costly and time-consuming. DOT offers a non-invasive alternative, using near-infrared light to measure the optical properties of tissue chromophores like oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR).
However, current DOT systems have limitations, including low spatial resolution and challenges in image interpretation due to photon scattering. Combining DOT with high-resolution imaging, such as X-ray mammography, could enhance breast cancer detection.
Integrating DOT with X-Ray Imaging
This study presents OMCI, a portable optical imaging system that integrates with existing X-ray mammography equipment. The system consists of three subsystems:
- Frequency-domain (FD) spectroscopy module – estimates bulk tissue optical properties.
- Continuous-wave (CW) imaging subsystem – enables tomographic scanning.
- Structured light imaging (SLI) system – captures high-resolution 3D breast surface shapes.
To validate OMCI, the researchers conducted experiments using tissue-mimicking optical phantoms and clinical breast scans. A DOT image reconstruction pipeline incorporating a target-adaptive pattern optimization technique was developed to improve spatial sampling density.
A clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital involved 21 participants undergoing bilateral optical breast scans, while a larger study with 480 participants compared OMCI’s performance to conventional mammography. The system uses dual-wavelength, wide-field illumination, and camera-based detection for high-density sampling and rapid data acquisition, allowing simultaneous DOT scans with standardized compression conditions.
Key Findings
OMCI effectively recovered key physiological parameters, such as total hemoglobin concentration (HbT) and oxygen saturation (SO2). Across 21 subjects, the system measured an average HbT of 23 ± 8 µM and an SO2 level of 0.62 ± 0.05, aligning with established values and confirming OMCI’s clinical reliability.
Multi-linear singular value decomposition (MLSVD)-optimized patterns improved data acquisition by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and overall image quality. The average SNR for MLSVD patterns reached 72.3 dB at an EM gain of 20, demonstrating OMCI’s ability to capture high-quality imaging data. The system successfully detected deeply embedded inclusions in tissue-mimicking phantoms and clinical subjects.
OMCI’s integration with X-ray mammography improved spatial resolution and contrast. A case study of a 10 mm invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) tumor demonstrated its ability to localize and characterize malignant lesions. Using tumor-prior scanning algorithms and compositional priors from X-ray scans further enhanced lesion detection accuracy.
Clinical Applications
OMCI offers a non-invasive, cost-effective solution that can be integrated into existing mammography workflows. By enabling simultaneous optical and X-ray imaging, it enhances diagnostic accuracy and functional tissue assessment. This could lead to earlier cancer detection and improved patient outcomes while reducing reliance on ionizing radiation and minimizing false positives.
The system’s adaptability makes it suitable for various clinical settings. Future research should focus on expanding its capabilities, such as incorporating additional wavelengths to assess other tissue chromophores like water and collagen.
Further improvements in optical subsystem design could enhance spatial resolution and imaging accuracy. As ongoing clinical trials continue to validate OMCI’s effectiveness, it holds significant potential for improving breast cancer screening and diagnostics.
Tomosynthesis vs. Mammography: What is the Difference?
Journal Reference
Mireles, M., et al. (2025). Widefield ultra-high-density optical breast tomography system supplementing x-ray mammography. Sci Rep. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92261-9, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-92261-9
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