A computational investigation of microwave breast imaging using deformable reflector

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2008 Feb;55(2 Pt 1):554-62. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2007.903702.

Abstract

In recent years, active microwave breast imaging is increasingly being viewed as a promising complementary imaging modality for cancer detection. In this paper, we present a novel deformable reflector microwave tomography technique for noninvasive characterization of the breast tissue. In contrast to conventional multitransceiver designs, the proposed technique utilizes a continuously deformable reflector with metallic coating to acquire field measurements for imaging. Computational feasibility of the proposed technique to image heterogeneous dielectric tissue property is evaluated using simplified 2-D breast models. The robustness of the deformable reflector-based tomography technique in imaging the spatial distribution of the tissue dielectric property in the presence of measurement noise is investigated using first-order Tikhonov regularization. Preliminary results obtained for the 2-D breast models appear promising and indicate further investigation of the new microwave tomography technique for breast imaging.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Breast / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Computer-Aided Design*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Microwaves*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography / instrumentation*
  • Tomography / methods