Authors: Md. Mokhlesur Rahman
Institution: Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Gono Bishwabidyalay
Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide, necessitating early detection for effective management. However, MRI breast coils, essential for high-quality breast imaging, are expensive and often inaccessible, particularly in low-resource settings. This study explores the development of a cost-effective homemade device using readily available materials as an alternative to standard MRI breast coils without compromising image quality.
For breast imaging, a foam-based device was designed to adapt conventional MRI coils, such as chest or pelvic coils. The foam was shaped to securely position the breast and optimize coil placement, ensuring uniform magnetic resonance coverage. Imaging parameters were carefully adjusted to replicate the quality achieved with specialized MRI breast coils. Experimental imaging trials were conducted on phantom models to validate the approach.
The results demonstrated that the modified device enabled high-quality breast MRI imaging comparable to that obtained using dedicated MRI breast coils. Image clarity, resolution, and diagnostic accuracy were maintained, meeting clinical standards. Using widely available chest or pelvic coils with foam-based adaptation significantly reduced costs while improving accessibility.
This study highlights the feasibility of a cost-effective and practical solution for breast cancer detection in resource-limited settings. By utilizing a foam-based device to adapt standard MRI coils, this approach achieves imaging quality equivalent to specialized MRI breast coils, bridging the gap in access to advanced diagnostic tools. Further clinical validation and deployment could enhance early breast cancer detection and improve patient outcomes globally.