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

我的研究小组的优势在于对电磁波与组织之间相互作用的准确数值模拟。利用微波检测乳腺癌是一种新的乳腺成像方法，有望补充现有的诊断技术。由于乳腺肿瘤与周围健康组织在电学性质上的显著对比，肿瘤在微波信号下是“可见的”。如果这样的信号是从皮肤表面发出的，它就会穿透健康的组织，直到它遇到肿瘤。然后，信号的一部分发生后向散射，部分信号被肿瘤吸收，引起肿瘤的加热和热膨胀，从而产生声波。背向散射和声学信号都可以在皮肤表面捕捉到。该研究的创新之处在于：1)三维模型将耦合电磁、热和声过程；2)数据融合算法，将由微波的后向散射获得的信号与由热膨胀产生的声信号相结合以进行图像增强。无线植入式生物传感器将使研究人员能够在更长的时间段内从电极和生物传感器获取数据，同时允许使用植入物的受试者(例如老鼠)保持功能和良好的生活质量。目前，还没有办法使用植入式设备远程(无电线)刺激和获取各种生物传感器的数据。技术障碍是：a)尺寸：植入物需要小而又电高效，b)寿命-需要一种无电池的电源解决方案。C)射程超过当前限制的0.5米，d)神经生理学需要多通道高带宽数据收集，e)安全：电力输送管理和潜在的现场危险评估。任何能够克服这些障碍的传感器原型都需要包括对体内传感器的准确模拟。我的研究小组将开发先进的组织内传感器的数值模型，并优化其设计，以实现两个目标：1)周围组织中的低功率沉积；2)异质组织中信号传输的可靠性。

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.