Philips, UC Irvine partner on breast density study

Philips Healthcare and the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) are collaborating on a study that will assess the clinical accuracy of spectral imaging technology with low radiation dose to measure breast density.

The study will be conducted using Philips' MicroDose SI mammography spectral imaging technology. The device includes the company's Spectral Breast Density Measurement feature, which uses photon-counting technology to acquire spectral data of the adipose and fibroglandular tissue within a single exposure of a low dose mammogram, producing a volumetric breast density measurement, Philips said.

The first phase of the study will evaluate the accuracy of the spectral breast density application by analyzing 40 postmortem breasts and comparing results with chemical analysis. The effort is expected to be completed over a one- to two-year period, according to the firm.