Microwave-acoustic breast tumor detection and design and analysis of wireless implants for neurophysiological research

用于神经生理学研究的微波声学乳腺肿瘤检测以及无线植入物的设计和分析

• 批准号: 251043-2007
• 负责人: Popovich, Milica
• 金额: $ 2.82万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=503588
• 关键词: Microwave; acoustic; breast; tumor; detection

The strength of my research group lies in accurate numerical modeling of interaction between electromagnetic waves and tissue. BREAST CANCER DETECTION WITH MICROWAVES is a novel approach to breast imaging that promises to complement existing diagnostic techniques. Due to a notable contrast in electrical properties of breast tumors with respect to the healthy surrounding tissue, the tumor is "visible" to a microwave signal. If such a signal is launched from the skin surface, it penetrates through the healthy tissue until it encounters the tumor. Then, part of the signal "backscatters", and part of it is absorbed by the tumor, causing the heating and thermal expansion of the tumor, which generates an acoustic wave. Both the backscatter and the acoustic signals can be captured at the skin surface. The novelty of the proposed research is development of: 1) a three-dimensional model that will couple the electromagnetic, thermal and acoustic processes ; 2) a data fusion algorithm, which will combine the signals obtained by the backscatter of the microwave and by acoustic signal generated by thermal expansion for image enhancement. WIRELESS IMPLANTABLE BIO-SENSORS will enable a researcher to acquire data from electrodes and biological sensors over an extended time-period while allowing the subject with the implant (e.g. mouse) to remain functional and retain a good quality of life. Currently there is no way to remotely (without wires) stimulate and acquire data from a variety of bio-sensors using implantable devices. Technical barriers are: a) Size: implants need to be small, yet electrically efficient, b) Lifetime - requires a battery-less power solution. c) Range beyond the current limitation of 0.5m range, d) Neurophysiology requires multiple channel high-bandwidth data collection, e) Safety: power-delivery management and potential field-hazard assessment. Any sensor prototype that can overcome these obstacles needs to include accurate simulations of in-vivo sensors. My research group will develop advanced numerical models of the in-tissue sensor and optimize its design with two goals: 1) low power deposition in the surrounding tissues and 2) reliability of signal transmission in the heterogeneous tissue.

我的研究小组的优势在于对电磁波和组织之间的相互作用进行精确的数值建模。微波乳腺癌检测是一种新的乳腺成像方法，有望补充现有的诊断技术。由于乳腺肿瘤的电特性与周围健康组织的电特性存在显著的差异，因此肿瘤对微波信号是“可见的”。如果这种信号从皮肤表面发射，它会穿透健康组织，直到遇到肿瘤。然后，部分信号“反向散射”，部分信号被肿瘤吸收，导致肿瘤加热和热膨胀，从而产生声波。后向散射和声学信号都可以在皮肤表面处被捕获。所提出的研究的新奇是：1）一个三维模型，将耦合的电磁，热和声学过程的发展; 2）一个数据融合算法，这将结合联合收割机的微波的反向散射和热膨胀产生的声学信号的图像增强所获得的信号。无线植入式生物传感器将使研究人员能够在延长的时间段内从电极和生物传感器获取数据，同时允许植入受试者（例如小鼠）保持功能并保持良好的生活质量。目前，还没有办法远程（没有电线）刺激和采集数据，从各种生物传感器使用植入式设备。技术障碍是：a）尺寸：植入物需要很小，但电力效率高，B）寿命-需要无电池电源解决方案。c）超出当前0.5m范围限制的范围，d）神经生理学需要多通道高带宽数据收集，e）安全性：功率输送管理和潜在场危害评估。任何能够克服这些障碍的传感器原型都需要包括体内传感器的精确模拟。我的研究小组将开发组织内传感器的先进数值模型，并优化其设计，目标有两个：1）在周围组织中的低功率沉积和2）异质组织中信号传输的可靠性。