SBIR Phase I: Efficient Thermal-Spatial Point-Cloud Extraction and Rapid Assessment of Physics-Based AI Algorithm from Infrared Images to Increase Early Detection of Breast Cancer

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project relates to improving women’s health through early detection of breast cancer. Women above age of 40 years are advised to undergo annual/biannual screening for breast cancer. In the current breast cancer screening paradigm, mammography is supplemented by adjunctive technologies, such as ultrasound imaging, to improve the cancer detection rates. However, shortcomings from imaging dense breast tissue relating to higher patient recall rates for additional screening and lower detection accuracy have impacted confidence in screening. This SBIR Phase I project aims to improve early cancer detection by providing an innovative screening tool that can accurately detect breast cancer, even in dense breasts. The increase in the overall detection rates and improved cancer detection from this screening tool is expected to provide significant short-term and long-term savings in healthcare costs. This technology is cost-effective as it does not require skilled technologists screening patients. It will increase the revenue to hospitals/breast clinics while providing more confidence in cancer screening and saving out of pocket expense to patients. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses a critical societal need for accurate breast cancer detection, especially in women with dense breasts. Malignant tumors generate more heat as compared to healthy tissue due to their increased metabolic activity. It changes the heat signature on the surface of the breast that can be captured by an infrared camera. This concept was utilized to develop a device that can extract the surface temperatures of the using infrared imaging. A physics-based artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm then back-calculates the size and location of a malignant tumor from these surface temperatures. The technology is free from harmful radiations and is contactless. To meet current c