Portable ultrasound designed for consistent breast imaging
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed the 3D Portable Ultrasound for Real-time Examination (PURE) system, a compact portable ultrasound platform designed to support reproducible breast imaging and breast cancer monitoring. The findings were published in Nature Communications on July 1, 2026.
The researchers noted that breast cancer can develop between annual mammography screenings. These interval cancers account for 20% to 30% of breast cancer cases and are often more aggressive. The challenge is particularly relevant for individuals with dense breast tissue. The study also highlights the potential role of more frequent, operator-independent imaging for long-term monitoring following treatment.
The PURE system combines a compact ultrasound probe with an acquisition and processing module that is slightly larger than a smartphone. According to the researchers, a computer vision interface guides users to position the probe at the same anatomical location during repeated examinations, supporting consistent image acquisition over time.
“At each time interval, the computer interface guides you to position the device in exactly the same location, which is important for the longitudinal monitoring of a given tissue. It’s very intuitive and quite easy to use,” said Canan Dagdeviren, associate professor of media arts and sciences at MIT and the senior author of the study.
Hardware and software improve image quality
According to the study, the PURE system combines several hardware and software components designed to improve 3D ultrasound imaging.
The ultrasound transducer includes a backing layer that helps focus acoustic energy, broadens the usable frequency range, and reduces acoustic and electrical noise. During image reconstruction, an adaptive beamforming algorithm compensates for differences in the speed of sound across tissue types, including skin and fat. The researchers reported that this approach improved image resolution by up to 10%.
“What we are trying to do is predict the speed of sound properties of the tissue you’re imaging and then use that to reconstruct the image more accurately. We see up to a 10% improvement in the resolution just by applying this technique,” said Shrihari Viswanath, an MIT graduate student.
The system can also generate a three-dimensional rendering of the entire breast using two or three scan positions while providing live visualization during image acquisition.
Study demonstrates reproducibility
The study evaluated both usability and target detection. Ten volunteers with no prior ultrasound experience used the system to identify small microtargets embedded in a tissue phantom. According to the researchers, participants achieved a higher detection success rate than when using a conventional ultrasound probe.
In a separate study involving seven participants, users were able to accurately reposition the probe at the prescribed location during repeated scans, supporting reproducible imaging for longitudinal monitoring.
According to the authors, the platform could support earlier diagnosis and long-term surveillance after breast cancer treatment in both clinical and home settings. They also noted potential future applications in other soft-tissue imaging areas, including ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and fetal monitoring.
Source: Nature Communications
