New Publication in UMB by Yangpei Liu: Clinical Study showing 3-D Harmonic Motion Imaging

Published in Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, the study demonstrates the first clinical feasibility of using a row-column-addressed matrix array (RCA) to create rapid, volumetric stiffness maps of breast tumors. 

February 06, 2026

Unlike traditional 2D ultrasound which can be limited by tissue heterogeneity, this new system captures the mechanical properties of entire tumor volumes in just two seconds, offering a more comprehensive look at the tumor microenvironment and its response to treatment.

The clinical study, involving five patients with fibroadenoma and invasive ductal carcinoma, showed that the 3D-HMI system could accurately detect residual disease in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. By providing higher contrast than traditional 2D HMI and significantly reducing data acquisition time from minutes to seconds, this technology marks a major step toward real-time, portable tumor characterization. This innovation paves the way for a new standard in handheld breast sonography, potentially improving how clinicians monitor local treatment response and assess residual cancer burden. Read more here.

 

Huge congrats to Yangpei for this amazing publication!