Ultra-Wideband (UWB) microwave imaging for breast cancer detection

• Main Authors: Soh, Cheong Boon, Gunawan, Erry, Low, Kay Soon
• Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Format: Research Report
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Control and instrumentation::Medical electronics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14561
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Microwave imaging using ultra-wideband (UWB) signal is an extension to UWB radar applications where the imaging system is used to view unobtrusively inside the human body. The proposed plan focuses on the research and development of the UWB-based clinically-oriented imaging device. An antenna array is illuminating the breast by transmitting an UWB pulse. The backscatter signal is recorded at each element of the array. Upon encountering a tumor, significant backscatter signal arises due to the significant dielectric contrast. The scattered signals are then processed to form an image map that indicates the location and size of malignant tumors. The proposed approach is attractive to patients because both ionizing radiation and breast compression are avoided, resulting in safer and more comfortable exams. It also has the potential to be both sensitive and specific, to detect small tumors, and to be less expensive than methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. The imaging process is expected to be very rapid. In a nutshell, this approach used together with film-screen mammography can significantly improve detection and limit false positive findings. With the UWB-base breast imaging maturing and more clinical studies, this approach could replace film-screen mammography.