Breast Cancer Detection: Breast cancer has become most common among women. According to an estimate, one in eight women is at risk of this cancer. There are many people who, due to living far away, are unable to reach the doctor on time, due to which they die. Recently, MIT scientists have invented such a unique portable ultrasound device that everyone is surprised to see. Serious diseases like breast cancer can be identified with this device.
The special thing about this device is that it can be easily used even at home or small clinics. This device is not only light, but will also be very useful for those women who live in remote areas and where ultrasound facilities are not easily available. In such a situation, let us tell you how this device works.
MIT’s Associate Professor Kanan Dagdeviren and his team have designed this device. In size it is as small as a smartphone. It has a small processing module, which is slightly larger than the phone. It has cost about 300 dollars (about 25 thousand rupees) to make this device. This device can show 3D images by connecting to a laptop. The most important thing is that it requires very little electricity. It can also be powered by a normal 5V DC adapter or battery.
In a normal ultrasound machine, the probe has to be pressed on the body. Due to this many times the quality of the image gets spoiled. MIT’s new device is placed lightly on the skin. This provides a clearer and more accurate 3D picture of the tissue. This device can scan up to about 15 centimeters inside the body. The entire breast can be examined from 2 to 3 different positions.
According to research, this device was tested on a 71 year old woman. During the test, this device was successful in accurately identifying cysts without any gap. It is clear from this that this technology can help in catching the disease at the initial stage itself.
Scientists are now working on making this technology smaller. Their goal is to make the processing system as small as a fingernail. In future this device will be able to connect directly to the smartphone. Along with this, an AI-based app is also being developed. This app will tell the user on which part of the body and how to place the sensor.
Scientists are preparing to start a company to bring this technology to the market. Their goal is to make breast cancer screening as easy as checking blood pressure at home. If this technology reaches the common people, it will be possible to test millions of women on time.
