Virtual navigator 3D panoramic for breast examination.

Breast examination both for screening and second level of investigation has spread worldwide, due to increased breast cancer awareness. Thus, different diagnostic imaging technologies emerged in breast application. Ultrasound (US), a real-time examination, non-invasive, cost effective, ideal also for repetitive follow-up and able to give information about anatomy, hemodynamics and tissue stiffness, plays an important role in breast diagnostics. The present work describes the innovative three-dimensional (3D) Panoramic (Pan) tool of Virtual Navigator technology for real-time fusion imaging of breast 3D US volumes with bi-dimensional US scans. A Motion Control Sensor enables the correction of the examined subject's movements. Data about fusion precision and system performances will be presented regarding tests in vitro, in ex-vivo and in vivo.