top of page
Frequent Asked Questions
General
No. The scan does not require breast compression, making it significantly more comfortable than traditional mammography for many women.
Yes. The QTscan™ system is FDA-cleared for clinical use in breast imaging and diagnosis.
QT Imaging is designed for women aged 18 and older. As the first FDA-cleared breast imaging technology available for women as young as 18, it offers a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging option. It may be especially beneficial for women with dense breasts, breast implants, higher-risk patients requiring frequent imaging, and those seeking a comfortable alternative to compression-based imaging.
Your scan is reviewed by a licensed radiologist trained in QT Imaging interpretation. Results are securely delivered through our patient communication process.
Yes. QT Imaging is the only non-invasive breast imaging technology specifically designed to provide detailed, accurate breast images without compression, making it an important option for women with breast implants.
Please consult your physician. Our team can help determine whether this imaging is appropriate for your situation.
Referral requirements may vary depending on your situation and insurance coverage. Our team can help guide you through the scheduling process.
Quantum Breast Imaging may complement traditional breast imaging, but every patient’s needs are different. We recommend discussing your imaging plan with your healthcare provider.
The system uses sound wave technology and advanced imaging software to create true 3D images of the breast from multiple angles.
True 3D imaging allows for more detailed visualization of breast tissue layers, helping provide a clearer and more comprehensive view of the breast.
No. The scan does not require contrast injections, dyes, or needles.
Women at higher risk may benefit from additional imaging options. Our team can help determine whether Quantum Breast Imaging may be appropriate for you.
Yes. Your images are reviewed by qualified radiologists trained in breast imaging interpretation.
Coverage varies depending on your insurance provider and plan. Please contact our office for the most up-to-date information regarding payment and insurance options.
We recommend wearing comfortable two-piece clothing for convenience during your visit.
Quantum Breast Imaging is designed to provide detailed 3D visualization that may help improve imaging clarity in dense breast tissue.
Because the scan is radiation-free and non-invasive, some patients choose it as part of their ongoing breast wellness monitoring plan.
Patients often choose Quantum Breast Imaging for its comfort, no radiation, no compression, true 3D imaging, and relaxing patient experience.
Quantum Breast Imaging is an advanced breast imaging technology that creates true 3D images of the breast using sound waves instead of radiation. It offers a comfortable, non-invasive experience without breast compression.
Unlike traditional mammograms, Quantum Breast Imaging does not use radiation or painful compression. Instead, it uses ultrasound technology to capture detailed 3D images while patients lie comfortably during the scan.
No. There is no breast compression involved. Patients simply lie comfortably on the imaging table while the scan is performed.
1. Patient Positioning
A QTscan is performed one breast at a time, with the patient lying face-down on an examination table with the breast suspended in a warm water bath inside the scan tank. There's no compression or radiation involved.
2. The Scanner Head
The scanner has a scan head containing five ultrasound transducer arrays: a transmission-mode transmitter, a transmission-mode receiver, and a set of three reflection-mode transducers.
3. Two Scanning Modes Work Simultaneously
Transmission Mode (the "QT" part):
The transmitter emits a plane wave that goes around and through the breast, received by a 2048-element array. Multiple acquisitions at frequencies ranging from 300 kHz to 2.0 MHz are captured at 180 angles as the scan head rotates around the breast. The acquired data is then reconstructed using nonlinear inverse scattering in 3D, producing a quantitative, high-resolution volume map of both the speed of sound and the attenuation. qtimaging
Reflection Mode (similar to traditional ultrasound):
Three reflection transducers with different focal lengths extend the overall depth of focus. The resulting images are corrected for refraction using the speed of sound map computed in the transmission-mode phase, then spatially compounded together — dramatically reducing speckle while maintaining high resolution.
4. Full 3D Coverage
The transducer arrays rotate about a vertical axis to fully circle the breast in the coronal plane, then translate 2 mm vertically, repeating the scanning process until the entire breast is scanned.
5. Three Image Types Are Produced
The end result of each QTscan is automatically co-registered 3D volume images of speed of sound, attenuation, and reflection — viewable in all orthogonal views concurrently (coronal, axial, and sagittal) using the QTviewer software.
6. AI Analysis
QTI's proprietary AI-powered analysis software uses the co-registered, high-resolution volumetric data to systematically characterize and isolate different tissue types (glands, ducts, fat, skin, or connective tissue) and masses (cysts or solid masses), while providing instructive anatomical references.
In simple terms: sound waves are fired through the breast from all angles, and the system precisely measures how those waves behave — how fast they travel (speed of sound) and how much they weaken (attenuation) — to build a detailed 3D map of the tissue. Different tissue types and abnormalities have different acoustic properties, making them distinguishable without any radiation.
QT Imaging was founded by Dr. John Klock. Dr. Klock has served as Director and Founder of QT Imaging since 2011, and was also its Chief Executive Officer from 2014.
He has a strong background in medical innovation: prior to QT Imaging, Dr. Klock was involved in the start-up of five medical companies, including as Co-Founder and President of BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., which successfully commercialized five FDA-approved drugs, and as Scientific Founder and Vice President of Research of Glycomed, Inc., which was later acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Klock has also personally brought to market a novel cancer treatment, the first rapid AIDS test, comprehensive tests for detecting metabolic diseases in children, and several drugs for treating pediatric genetic conditions. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed medical and scientific publications and has been granted eight patents.
The company was formally incorporated in 2012, a year after Dr. Klock founded it.
There is no minimum breast size requirement for QT Breast Imaging. The system accommodates breast sizes up to Triple D, allowing many women to benefit from a comfortable, compression-free exam.
bottom of page