New Amulet Sophinity mammography system is less painful for women, easier for radiographers and provides sharper images for radiologists to detect cancer.

For some women, breast screening is a necessary but uncomfortable, potentially life-saving procedure. For others, having a mammogram can be painful, due to the compression of the breast tissue needed to get a clear reading.

The process can cause anxiety, being in a small room overwhelmed by a machine towering above them, exacerbated by a recall if the result is unclear. For those who are attending a clinic having found a lump or other symptom of cancer, it can be a very frightening time.

To solve many of these concerns, Fujifilm Healthcare Europe is launching a new AI supported mammography platform, developed in collaboration with radiologists and radiographers, to offer the best possible experience for all women.

Amulet Sophinity, which was revealed in February at the European Congress of Radiology 2024 in Vienna, uses new compression technology which offers relief from the pressure that can cause discomfort.

It is also a less intimidating machine, with the gantry height reduced. Further, it produces higher quality, sharper images than its predecessor with low dose radiation, and has a better user-friendly design to assist radiographers, reducing wrist pain during operation.

The AI supports the patient positioning by showing the skin line and nipple position via a projection to the compression paddle of previous mammograms from the patient, using a function called Positioning MAP.

Another algorithm (Positioning Analysis) gives immediate feedback after the exposure, demonstrating how well the exam meets the patient positioning criteria, saving time and avoiding unnecessary recalls for the patient.

And it can instantly compare patient positioning by analysing images with previous mammograms from the patient, using a function called Positioning MAP.

It’s part of a new focus on women’s health by Fujifilm, which spans obstetrics, gynaecology and bone disease, and has given rise to a new brand name for these solutions called ‘InnoMuse’ -signifying innovation for all women.

In Vienna, Fujifilm held a special evening event showcasing Amulet Sophinity and revealing the new focus. Toshiyuki Nabeta, corporate vice president and general manager of the Medical Systems, R&D Center in Tokyo, flew in to address the audience.

He said: “We want to be the backbone to the health of all women with our diverse and cutting-edge technologies. We want to be the pillar of support for them to live to the fullest.  We are here for all women to have a healthy tomorrow they can celebrate.”

Earlier at the ECR, staff at Fujifilm’s booth showed off its comprehensive package for radiologists looking for malignancies.

They include 2D mammography and 3D tomosynthesis using Amulet Sophinity and its predecessor Amulet Innovality, as well as the Arrietta Ultrasound Scanning system, which can be used to detect cancer in younger women with more dense breast tissue.

Plus, Fujifilm is the only medical diagnostic company to offer specialist Open MRI scanning which enables radiologists to perform breast biopsies at the same time as the imaging, using the Oasis Velocity.

The new mammography platform – named Sophinity as a combination of sophisticated and infinity – has been trialled in two sites in Germany, already supporting over 600 women. It will now be piloted in new areas before a commercial launch later in the year.

Jörg Müller, manager of women’s health product and clinical at Fujifilm Healthcare Europe, said: “Visitors to our booth loved the look and style, it’s slim and more compact, not a monster like other machines, which dominate the room.”

Müller added the beauty of the Sophinity is that it is a platform which can be added to as technologies develop. “It is future-proof.”

One of the radiologists taking a first look at the Sophinity was Dr Anna Russo, who works as a radiologist at the L’IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabriain Negrar in northern Italy. She said she hoped it would be installed there before the end of the year.

She has used Fujifilm’s mammogram machines for 10 years and said the company offers a full range of diagnostics to help female patients through a difficult time.

“Fujifilm offers possibilities for all of the exams that women need to detect breast cancer.”

Dr Russo was particularly impressed by the clinical advancements of the new system.

She said: “The image quality of the microcalcifications which are a sign of cancer is improved. The morphology of the breast – the glandular tissue, the adipose tissue and the blood vessels – it’s a better representation of all the tissue.”

Patients with suspected cancer usually need an MRI scan after a biopsy to confirm cancer, which Dr Russo describes as the gold standard. But the new Fujifilm machine can avoid the need for MRI, as it can perform a contrast mammogram which detects the vascularity of the lesion, which is a sign of malignancy.

Aside from the clinical improvements, she said it would be preferred by her patients due to the Comfort Comp function.

“The pain due to the compression is one of their main concerns and some women feel more pain than others. With this new machine the way it compresses the breast means less pain.”

Amanda Leitch, an application specialist with Fujifilm Healthcare Europe, and a former NHS radiographer, said once the right pressure has been reached, the compression is released, while still being able to give a clear reading.

“It’s like a mattress which keeps its indentation of the body once you have got off the bed,” she explained.

Dr Russo added that her radiographers would also benefit from the new design, as the fine pressure adjustment is operated by the flat of the hand not a dial which has reportedly caused wrist pain. “The ergonomic design is very interesting.”

Mandy Muller, the head of human resources at Fujifilm Healthcare Europe, said she was delighted that the company had decided to specialise in women’s health.

“For any woman who’s going through a medical dilemma, it’s a scary time. I’m eternally grateful to know that Fujifilm is supporting women, helping give them peace of mind with a minimally invasive procedure.

“To be part of a company that is focusing on that is inspirational.”