Waukesha, Wis.-based GE Healthcare has launched the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) 2.0 in the United States. This device is the only FDA-approved ultrasound supplemental breast screening technology, specifically designed for detecting cancer in dense breast tissue. Moreover, when used in addition to mammography, Invenia ABUS can improve breast cancer detection by 55% over mammography alone, according to GE officials.

“We are committed to informing patients about breast density, and offering supplemental screening options,” says Sophia Roumanis, MD, section head of breast imaging and intervention, Beaumont Breast Care Center, Dearborn, Mich. “We are thrilled to add this advanced ultrasound technology to our breast cancer screening program, which allows better visibility of dense breast tissue during breast cancer screenings.”

Launched in 2014, Invenia ABUS has been installed at hundreds of facilities around the world. The new Invenia ABUS 2.0 builds on its predecessor to enhance the exam experience for both operators and patients, including new features that further customize the exam based on the patient’s body:

  • Streamlined exams: The cSound Imageformer, a software-based graphics processor, provides a reproducible and operator-independent acquisition method to achieve consistent, high quality results. Traditional hand-held ultrasound parameters such as focal zones and gain are automatically optimized. No image manipulation is required, so that high image quality is consistent from operator to operator with the touch of a button.
  • Improving the patient experience: The shape of the Reverse Curve transducer follows the natural contour of the breast, providing patient comfort, thorough contact and helping ensure comprehensive coverage. Moreover, the 15 cm large field-of-view transducer is easy to position and maintains even compression while scanning.

“We believe ABUS can help clinicians find significantly more cancers than mammography alone, especially in women with dense breasts,” says Luke Delaney, general manager of Automated Breast Ultrasound at GE Healthcare. “As breast ultrasound technology continues to advance, we are investing to continually improve image quality, workflow and patient comfort – all of which contribute to early detection and improved outcomes.”