Microwave Spectroscopy and Imaging

在300-3000 MHz范围内，电磁（EM）特性为乳腺病理提供了高对比度 范围比激励寻求利用这些差异的成像技术的发展更重要 正常组织。实际上，层析成像方法在这种情况下是有吸引力的，因为它们产生空间 成像参数图，以定位疾病。项目三，微波成像和光谱学 (MIS)，目标是开发和评估宽带，多光谱微波层析成像， 乳腺成像应用。在本供资期间，项目三成功地部署了一个 通过非接触式天线阵列传播EM场的临床成像系统 在计算机控制的轴向平移下， 用于促进信号耦合到感兴趣区域的流体。这个系统已经参与了更多的 超过100次临床会议，（i）确定EM乳房特性更高， （ii）开始建立正常的乳腺反应，显示统计学差异， 随着乳腺放射密度的增加，属性值显着增加，以及（iii）建议， 足够的属性对比度，以检测筛选异常。这些令人鼓舞的发展和早期 临床结果激发了下一个资助期的一系列新的技术和临床目标， 研究的三个主要领域：（a）开发和评估3D微波成像，（B）了解 乳房组织成分对所产生图像的影响，以及（c）通过以下方式验证所得图像 由临床中心组织的临床研究。更具体地说，项目三的目标是： 资助期间是（1）通过更快，更准确的数据采集和伴随的3D成像 软件进步，通过配准、高频和多光谱利用解剖学先验 方法，（2）开发，验证和利用基于探针的测量系统，用于本地属性研究， 手术时间但在先前体内成像的乳腺组织的组织病理学之前，（3）为了验证 与MR（磁共振）相关的体模和临床病例的新系统进展;（4） 继续与临床中心合作进行针对筛查异常的临床研究 建议用于活检，临床乳腺检查中可触及的肿块和局部晚期癌症， 新辅助治疗如果成功，预计这些目标将产生足够的证据， MIS作为鉴别诊断替代方案的潜力的令人信服的估计，以及 支持在治疗预后和治疗监测中发挥作用，这将为启动 未来采用MIS技术的多中心试验。

The high contrast for breast pathology afforded by electromagnetic (EM) properties in the 300-3000 MHz range more than motivates the development of imaging technologies that seek to exploit these differences with normal tissue. Indeed, tomographic methods are attractive in this context because they generate spatial maps of imaged parameters in order to localize disease. Project III, Microwave Imaging and Spectroscopy (MIS), targets the development and evaluation of broadband, multi-spectral microwave tomography for breast imaging applications. During the current funding period, Project III has successfully deployed a clinical imaging system which transceives propagating EM fields through a non-contacting antenna array under computer-controlled axial translation to deliver comfortable exams to the pendant breast immersed in a fluid used to promote signal coupling into the region of interest. This system has been involved in more than 100 clinical sessions which have (i) determined that EM breast properties are higher and more heterogeneous than expected, (ii) begun to establish the normal breast response showing statistically significant increases in property values with increasing breast radiodensity, and (iii) suggested that there is sufficient property contrast to detect screening abnormalities. These encouraging developments and early clinical results motivate a new set of technical and clinical goals for the next funding period that center on three primary areas of investigation: (a) to develop and evaluate 3D microwave imaging, (b) to understand the impact of breast tissue composition on the images produced and (c) to validate resultant images through clinical studies organized by the Clinical Core. More specifically, the Project III aims for the proposed funding period are (1) to develop 3D imaging through faster, more accurate data acquisition and concomitant software advances to exploit anatomical priors through coregistration, high frequencies and multi-spectral methods, (2) to develop, validate and utilize a probe-based measurement system for local property studies at the time of surgery but prior to histopathology on breast tissues previously imaged in vivo, (3) to validate the new system advances in phantoms and clinical cases correlated with MR (Magnetic Resonance) and (4) to continue clinical studies in.collaboration with the Clinical Core which target screening abnormalities recommended for biopsy, palpable masses on clinical breast exams and locally-advanced cancers receiving neoadjuvant therapy. If successful, it is expected that these aims will generate sufficient evidence to allow convincing estimates of the potential of MIS as an alternative for differential diagnosis, and pilot data in support of a role in treatment prognosis and therapy monitoring which would inform decisions on initiation of multi-center trials with MIS technology in the future.