Hybrid near field microwave imaging incorporating multistatic adaptive wavefront reconstruction and micro-sensor arrays for breast cancer detection

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Introduction: Microwave imaging is a novel non-ionizing breast imaging technique. Recent studies have shown that this technology has promise. However, most microwave imaging methods rely on traditional antennas and variations in the propagation speed, inaccurate measurement of the E-M field and the ill-posed scattering problem result in images that lack sensitivity, specificity and resolution. Hypothesis: A hybrid radar/tomographic system that combines multistatic adaptive wavefront reconstruction and spintronic phase resolved sensing will enable breast lesions to be detected with a higher Signal to Clutter Ratio (SCR), spatial accuracy, sensitivity and specificity than existing methods. Objectives: 1. Develop an adaptive holographic technique for multistatic image formation that incorporates an accurate estimation of propagation speed. 2. Investigate the ability of this algorithm to work with E-M signals measured using microsensor arrays. 3. Validate the feasibility of integrating tomographic and radar approaches with phase resolved spintronic sensors. Methods: A 3D multidetector BMR system operating in the 1GHz-10GHz band will be developed. It will use a semi-spherical array of antennas and sensors to image the breast. The experimental data sets will be collected from phantoms that mimic the dielectric properties of breast tissues. The performance of this method will be assessed by calculating the spatial accuracy, SCR, specificity and sensitivity of reconstructed images. Significance: This research into automated holographic reconstruction methods for multistatic BMR image reconstruction could improve breast cancer diagnosis. A robust method for generating accurate multistatic BMR images without artifacts will solve issues that face current reconstruction methods and will enable us to determine if microwave based imaging could differentiate between malignant and benign breast lesions. Conclusion: This research will contribute to the development of a novel breast imaging modality that will be accurate, comfortable, and safe. Such systems could be used for screening in remote and developing areas and for improving the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis, thereby improving the quality of life for all women.