Quick, pain-free breast cancer imaging: OneTouch-PAT identifies tumors in under a minute

Quick, pain-free breast cancer imaging: OneTouch-PAT identifies tumors in under a minute

A revolutionary breast imaging system that promises faster, more comfortable, and highly accurate breast cancer detection is showing remarkable potential in early clinical trials. Called OneTouch-PAT, the system uses an innovative combination of photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging, supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to generate high-resolution 3D images—all in less than a minute, and without the painful compression typical of mammography.

Developed by researchers at the University at Buffalo (UB) in collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Windsong Radiology, the new technique has been successfully tested on 61 breast cancer patients and four healthy individuals, capturing distinct vascular patterns linked to breast cancer subtypes such as Luminal A, Luminal B, and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).

“Our system combines advanced imaging, automation, and artificial intelligence—all while enhancing patient comfort,” said Dr. Jun Xia, professor of biomedical engineering at UB and the study’s lead author. “Though more studies are needed, OneTouch-PAT holds strong potential to complement and enhance existing breast imaging methods.”

A smarter alternative to traditional screening

Conventional breast cancer screening methods such as mammography and MRI have well-known limitations:

• Mammograms can be painful, expose patients to radiation, and are less accurate for women with dense breast tissue.
• Ultrasound is non-invasive but heavily reliant on the skill of the operator, with a higher chance of false positives.
• MRI offers excellent detail but is expensive, slow, and not widely accessible.

By contrast, OneTouch-PAT eliminates these concerns. Patients simply stand and gently press their breast against a clear imaging window—no painful compression or radiation involved. The device then automatically performs alternating photoacoustic and ultrasound scans, covering the entire breast with no operator involvement, which greatly reduces the risk of human error.

How the technology works

OneTouch-PAT uses laser pulses to create photoacoustic signals, which detect light-absorbing molecules like hemoglobin. These signals reveal detailed maps of blood vessels, which often behave differently around cancerous tissue. These signals are combined with ultrasound data, and the entire dataset is processed by a deep learning algorithm that sharpens image quality and identifies suspicious patterns.

The result is a 3D image of the breast showing not only anatomical structures but also the functional characteristics of tumors, such as abnormal blood flow and vascular density—critical features in identifying cancer subtypes.

Unique insights into cancer subtypes

In clinical tests, the OneTouch-PAT system was able to distinguish between different types of breast tumors based on their vascular signatures:

• Luminal A & B cancers: showed dense, well-formed blood vessel patterns.
• Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): exhibited chaotic, high-intensity vascular spots, reflecting its aggressive nature.

These distinctions may help physicians not only detect tumors earlier but also predict the type of breast cancer—a key factor in determining treatment strategy.

Game-changer for women with dense breast tissue

Women with dense breast tissue often face higher risks of cancer and lower detection rates with mammography. OneTouch-PAT offers a powerful solution by combining:

• Ultrasound imaging, which is effective for dense tissues.
• Photoacoustic imaging, which identifies tumor-associated blood vessels regardless of tissue type.

This makes OneTouch-PAT an especially valuable option for more accurate diagnosis in this high-risk group.

Looking ahead: What’s next for OneTouch-PAT?

While the early results are highly encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for broader validation:

• Upcoming trials will include benign lesions to improve the system’s diagnostic accuracy.
• Developers plan to enhance hardware with additional sensors and more advanced imaging tools.
• Data extraction and AI performance will be further refined for faster, more scalable processing.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and highlights the power of interdisciplinary research, bringing together experts in biomedical engineering, radiology, computer science, and oncology.

As OneTouch-PAT advances toward clinical application, it offers hope for a future where breast cancer screening is not only faster and more accurate, but also truly pain-free.

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