Microwave imaging for breast cancer detection
Delpsi is partnering with Microwave Imaging System Technologies (MIST) Inc to develop a microwave
tomographic imaging modality for the detection of breast cancer. The concept is based on the hardware
conceived by Profs. Meaney and Paulsen of MIST over the past decade: 16 monopole antennas, alternatively
used as transmitters and receivers, define a circular region of space around the breast. The signal picked up
by each receiver for alternate transmitters is then used to invert the dielectric and conductive properties within
the breast, revealing the presence of a tumor, if present and if detectable.
Recently Delpsi developed a reconstruction algorithm able to produce full 3D images in roughly 20 minutes
on a regular computer (as opposed to 15 hours on GPU enhanced computers). The technique is currently
further evaluated and has shown similar levels of accuracy obtained in a fraction of the computational time.
The figures below illustrate how the technology can be used for patient monitoring, providing feedback information
at regular intervals (as closely spaced as desired without inducing health hazard), thus complementing MRI
exams that typically occur at the beginning and the end of the treatment.
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Advantages of clinical microwave imaging:
- Proven sensitivity and specificity
- No health hazards (about 1/1000th of cell phone powers, illumination times of a few seconds)
- Exams are fast (about 3 minutes)
- Cost efficient (microwave technology is very well established)
Collaborators
- Microwave Imaging System Technologies Inc (MIST)
- Dartmouth College, NH
- Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), South Korea
