# Novel Ultrasound Based Viscoelasticity Imaging Tool to Reduce Invasive Breast Lesion Biopsy Rate

> **NIH NIH R43** · RUSH RIVER RESEARCH CORPORATION · 2022 · $298,663

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Rush River Research Corporation, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, proposes to develop a novel, user-
friendly, non-invasive diagnostic tool to measure viscoelasticity of breast tissue which can be used to
characterize breast lesions as benign or malignant. Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy
among women in the United States and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females. The diagnostic
journey typically involves multiple screenings and follow-on diagnostics techniques. Following positive results
from these less invasive diagnostics, a biopsy is typically performed. However, most biopsies performed on
women who screened positive for breast cancer using typical screening methods are found to be benign. This
results in a large physical, emotional, and economic burden experienced by women who do not have cancer.
Additionally, the cost of potentially unwarranted benign biopsies is more than $2 billion annually in the United
States. The proposed new tool to measure viscoelasticity of tissue will provide quantitative feedback on who
should receive a biopsy as well as a 2D colormap image of the tumor. The novel tool uses existing ultrasound
machines and ultrasound heads and can be done at the same appointment as a diagnostic ultrasound using
the same machine. A mechanical attachment is required to provide an automated, force-controlled, dynamic,
axial compression and will be developed and tested using phantoms in this project. This technology will
provide physicians with a better tool for decision-making and help women avoid unnecessary biopsies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10603447
- **Project number:** 1R43CA268452-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH RIVER RESEARCH CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Julie Lundstrom
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $298,663
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-08 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10603447

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10603447, Novel Ultrasound Based Viscoelasticity Imaging Tool to Reduce Invasive Breast Lesion Biopsy Rate (1R43CA268452-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10603447. Licensed CC0.

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