By Amanda Sounart, associate editor
Fashion takes a technological turn in the United Kingdom where scientists are working to develop the very first “Smart Bra.” Designed to fit as comfortably as any support garment, this high tech wonder will have the capability of checking for the earliest signs of breast cancer using a technique called microwave radiometry.
Still in the preliminary stages of development, the bra is being created at the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation (CMRI) at the University of Bolton in Manchester, UK. Headed by professor Elias Siores, CMRI is using a fabric woven with thin, flexible antennas to detect small variations in temperature that occur when cancer cells are being formed.
“Our purpose at CMRI is to marry electronic devices together with performance clothing and end up with functional wearables,” said Siores. “We’ve been working in the area of passive microwaves, which receive information from the body and translate it into usable data.”
Microwave radiometry has been used for several years to detect changes in the body and has even been used to screen for cancer, though it is not considered to be a highly reliable screening method. Researchers at CMRI are hoping to modify the technique to provide a portable and accurate device.
“If you go back years ago, the idea for this project was borrowed from radar technology,” said Siores. “This time we are measuring heat signals. Every body emits electromagnetic heat. So using the possibility of detecting submarines underwater and detecting heat activity in space, we thought to bring it to the level of usable technology. That’s what tickled my imagination.”
Based on this idea of detecting heat activities, the bra will use passive microwaves to read changes within the breasts. When cancerous cells are being formed, there is a slight elevation in temperature due to increased blood flow, swelling and metabolic variations. The user will wear the device at night, when they are relaxed and preparing to fall asleep, therefore avoiding any extraneous heat from physical activity or emotional stress. To perform a scan, the bra will connect to a small computer device roughly the size of a packet of cigarettes. Scans will take approximately three minutes and will signal the user with audio and visual alarms if there are any unusual heat readings.
Even with this upcoming advance in technology, Siores warns that the bra is not intended to be the only precautionary measurement taken. As a self diagnostic tool, the bra can aid in self breast exams and should be paralleled with routine scans such as mammograms and clinical breast exams.
“There is clear distinction between microwave radiometry and current detection methods,” added Siores. “The classical techniques identify the size, type, orientation, and positioning of the tumor. With this technology, we’re not looking at a tumor. We’re looking at thermal activity before the tumor is established. Statistically speaking, this technology may detect possible cancer formations 5-8 years before the tumor is diagnosed and measured. At the same time we can measure thermal activity has taken place. If, for example, someone is being treated for the cancerous tumor, then the equipment can measure how well it is working because the heat gives rise to the growth of the tumor. If the temperature isn’t rising, the tumor is no longer growing.”
CMRI hopes to have a prototype of the “Smart Bra” within a year. In addition, they are looking at alternate uses of the technology including a breast cancer detection vest for men, prostate and testicular cancer scanning briefs and possibly even baby blankets to monitor the health of infants. They are also working on detecting early signs of deep vein thrombosis based on the same thermal measurements.
Added Siores, “You find something and develop it and people around the world take it and make it bigger and better so the applications are unlimited.”
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