UWB microwave imaging system with a novel calibration approach for breast cancer detection
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10213128-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method for imaging a tissue. The method includes transmitting a first microwave frequency signal to and receiving a first total signal from the tissue at a first position. A second microwave frequency signal is transmitted to and a second total signal received from the tissue at a second position. The first total signal is calibrated with respect to the second total signal and an image is constructed from the calibrated signal.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultra-wideband microwave breast imaging system that improves tumor detectability by calibrating total received signals from adjacent antenna positions. A select transducer transmits a first signal and receives a first total signal, and an adjacent transducer transmits a second signal and receives a second total signal. A controller calculates a calibrated signal by subtracting the second total signal from the first total signal.
The calibrated signal reduces contributions from coupling and skin backscatter that are present in total received signals. The system forms a corrected signal by adjacent-position signal subtraction and reconstructs a 3D image to highlight a tumor region. The described imaging reconstruction includes multi-reflections and signal processing to emphasize a target signal associated with the tissue.
The invention is implemented using a tissue support and a plurality of transducers with transmitting and receiving antennas operating over a 2 GHz to 8 GHz frequency range. The tissue support includes imaging cups configured to receive a breast, with example configurations including separate left and right breast imaging cups and alternative placement arrangements such as a single transducer positioned along a track or transducer arrays positioned around cup surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a medical imaging device with multiple transducers operating in the 2 GHz to 8 GHz range, where a controller generates a calibrated signal by subtracting an adjacent transducer total signal from a selected transducer total signal. The claim set also describes a tissue support configured to receive tissue and support transducers.
Calibrated signal from subtracting adjacent total signals
A controller configured to calculate a calibrated signal by subtracting the second total signal from the first total signal.
Adjacent transducer total-signal acquisition in a 2 GHz to 8 GHz system
A plurality of transducers on a tissue support, each having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna operable in a frequency range of 2 GHz to 8 GHz, wherein a select one transmits a first signal and receives a first total signal and an adjacent one transmits a second signal and receives a second total signal.
Tissue support configured to receive tissue and support transducers
A tissue support having a size and shape to receive a tissue, with the plurality of transducers operably coupled to the tissue support.
The claim coverage centers on capturing total signals from a selected transducer and an adjacent transducer operating in the 2 GHz to 8 GHz range, and generating a calibrated signal by subtracting the adjacent total signal from the selected total signal. Dependent refinements include angular or linear spacing constraints between adjacent transducers and constructing an image from the calibrated signal, with breast-imaging cup configurations for left and right imaging.
Stated Advantages
Improves tumor detectability by calibrating total received signals from adjacent antenna positions.
Corrected signal subtraction cancels coupling and largely eliminates skin backscatter.
Documented Applications
Breast imaging for tumor region visualization using an ultra-wideband microwave breast imaging system.
Left and right breast imaging using separate breast imaging cups and associated sets of transducers.
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