Collaborative Research: Compact Microwave Imaging System Based on Antenna Array of Dielectric Resonators for Breast Cancer Detection

这项综合系统方案的重点是开发一种新型的紧凑型微波成像系统(硬件和软件)，旨在重建直径小于5 mm的肿瘤图像。研究人员打算回答与微波成像系统有关的两个主要问题：(1)在基于雷达的乳腺癌检测成像系统中，什么天线是最有效的发射机和/或接收器？(2)哪些成像算法能够处理接收到的信号并在真实时间范围内产生重建图像？研究人员提议建造一种先进的超宽带紧凑型成像传感器，专门为乳腺癌成像而设计。该传感器将是由介质宽带元件组成的天线阵。每个元件都将是一个形状灵活、体积小、重量轻的介质谐振器天线，使传感器适用于乳房。此外，研究人员还建议开发和混合潜在的成像算法，以利用接收到的信号高效、快速地重建肿瘤的形状和位置。这一提议的智力优势集中在设计和建造先进的紧凑型超宽带轻型微波传感器；开发高效和健壮的成像算法以与系统的硬件部分集成；以及验证所开发的算法在传感器收集的真实数据上的有效性。拟议的硬件传感器将用于验证成像算法，一旦被证明成功，研究人员将与医学研究人员合作寻求临床使用的资金。该项目将对一般妇女的健康产生更广泛的影响，特别是对乳腺癌疾病的影响。新系统将为许多女性提供一个经济且不那么痛苦的选择。该项目将影响与微波成像设备相关的传感器技术和数据采集技术。这项拟议的研究将对阿肯色大学和密西西比大学的毕业生和本科生的研究机会产生重大影响。

ECS-0524042 M. El-Shenawee, U of Arkansas This integrative systems proposal focuses on developing a new compact microwave imaging system (hardware and software) aiming to reconstruct tumor images of diameters less than 5 mm. The investigators intend to answer two main questions associated with microwave imaging systems as; (i) what are the most efficient antennas to be used as transmitter and/or receivers in a radar-based imaging system for breast cancer detection? (ii) which imaging algorithms are capable of processing the received signals and produce reconstructed images in realistic time frame? The investigators are proposing to build an advanced ultra wideband compact imaging sensor that is specifically designed for breast cancer imaging. This sensor will be an antenna array composed of dielectric wideband elements. Each element will be a dielectric resonator antenna that can be flexible in shape, small in size and light in weight, making the sensor practical for use on the breast. Also, the investigators are proposing to develop and hybridize potential imaging algorithms to efficiently and rapidly reconstruct the tumor shape and location using received signals. The intellectual merits of this proposal focus on designing and building an advanced compact ultra wideband lightweight microwave sensor; developing efficient and robust imaging algorithms to be integrated with the hardware part of the system; and validating the developed algorithms on real data to be collected by the sensors. The proposed hardware sensor will be used to validate the imaging algorithm and once proven successful the investigators will seek funding in collaboration with medical researchers for clinical use. The broader impact of this project will be on women's health in general and on breast cancer disease in particular. The new system will offer an economical and less painful option for many women. This project will influence the sensor technology and data acquisition techniques associated with the microwave imaging modality. The proposed research will have significant bearing on the graduate and the undergraduate research opportunities at the University of Arkansas and the University of Mississippi.