# Breast Cancer Detection and Imaging using Analyzer-less X-ray Interferometry

> **NIH NIH R21** · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE · 2022 · $140,728

## Abstract

We propose a novel X-ray interferometry imaging system which is suitable for screening mammography. This
Multi-Contrast Mammography System with Modulated Phase Gratings (MCMS-MPG) provides 3
complementary types of images – conventional attenuation, phase-contrast and dark-field (small-angle-scatter)
– all processed from a single scan with an amount of dose delivered to the patient that is comparable to that of
a standard screening mammogram. The key innovation that makes this screening interferometry imaging
system possible is the modulated phase grating (MPG) which makes high-quality X-ray interference fringes
observable by clinical X-ray detectors even at compact distances (<70cm) without the fluence absorbing
analyzer-grating required for other advanced X-ray interferometry systems. While the key scientific premise of
our system is application independent, in this project we focus on breast cancer application because nearly 1
in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Screening and early
diagnosis are key to reducing the death rate. Nearly 40 million women per year are screened using
mammography, a widely accepted radiologic imaging method that uses low-energy X-rays. The current
generation of mammography systems yields 92% sensitivity and 84-92% specificity. False positives require
recalls for diagnostic imaging and biopsies, the costs of which run to $7.9 billion/year. Improving the sensitivity
and specificity for screening will therefore have a significant combined impact on breast-cancer diagnosis as
well as related healthcare costs. Our hypothesis is that the additional multi-contrast information that our system
provides, obtained with no more dose to patient than with current screening mammograms, will yield higher
sensitivity and specificity than those for standard screening mammograms. This project has two aims. Aim1:
We will perform comprehensive simulations and develop an iterative recovery method to improve image
quality. The recovery algorithm removes unwanted image degradation effects like incoherent scatter. The
simulator and recovery algorithm will be validated experimentally using digital breast phantoms and an
observer study by radiologists. Aim2: We will build a prototype version of our MCMS-MPG system and
evaluate its performance on human breast pathology samples and mammography quality assurance
phantoms, using radiation doses comparable to screening mammography systems. An observer study with
radiologists will be used for this evaluation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10382323
- **Project number:** 5R21EB029026-03
- **Recipient organization:** LOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Joyoni Dey
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $140,728
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-10 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10382323

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10382323, Breast Cancer Detection and Imaging using Analyzer-less X-ray Interferometry (5R21EB029026-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10382323. Licensed CC0.

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