Imaging of Early-Stage Breast Cancers Using Pulsed Confocal Microwave Technology
Abstract
We continue to investigate low-power confocal microwave technology to detect and image early-stage breast cancers. The technology exploits the dielectric property contrast between normal breast tissues and malignant tumors at microwave frequencies. The microwave imaging is performed by a planar antenna array contacting only one side of the breast. The antenna array elements collect backscattered signals. The digital signal processing scheme used for coherent summation of these signals depends upon the average dielectric properties of the local breast tissues. Patient-specific calibration of the microwave imager requires knowledge of these properties. To this end, this report summarizes continuing development of a two-dimensional time-domain inverse-scattering algorithm that allows for a noninvasive determination of the required dielectric properties of the near- surface breast layers. A method to sequentially determine properties of the breast skin, skin thickness and then the properties of the underlying breast tissue is suggested and investigated within a two-dimensional model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA392245
Entities
People
- Allen Taflove
- Milica Popovic
Organizations
- Northwestern University