Confocal Microwave Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection: Delay-Multiply-and-Sum Image Reconstruction Algorithm

• Published in: IEEE transactions on biomedical engineering Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 1697 - 1704
• Main Authors: Been Lim, Hooi, Thi Tuyet Nhung, Nguyen, Li, Er-Ping, Duc Thang, Nguyen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01.06.2008; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Breast - pathology; Breast cancer; Breast cancer detection; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Cancer detection; Delay; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Female; Finite difference methods; finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image reconstruction; Imaging phantoms; Microwave imaging; Microwave theory and techniques; Microwaves; Numerical simulation; Radar; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultra wideband technology; ultra-wideband (UWB) radar; Breast cancer detection; microwave imaging; finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method; ultra wideband (UWB) radar
• ISSN: 0018-9294; 1558-2531
• DOI: 10.1109/TBME.2008.919716

A new image reconstruction algorithm, termed as delay-multiply-and-sum (DMAS), for breast cancer detection using an ultra-wideband confocal microwave imaging technique is proposed. In DMAS algorithm, the backscattered signals received from numerical breast phantoms simulated using the finite-difference time-domain method are time shifted, multiplied in pair, and the products are summed to form a synthetic focal point. The effectiveness of the DMAS algorithm is shown by applying it to backscattered signals received from a variety of numerical breast phantoms. The reconstructed images illustrate improvement in identification of embedded malignant tumors over the delay-and-sum algorithm. Successful detection and localization of tumors as small as 2 mm in diameter are also demonstrated.