Microwave Breast Image Reconstruction Using Dielectric Hypotheses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave imaging techniques for breast cancer detection face challenges due to the lack of a priori knowledge of the dielectric properties of the breast tissue, leading to poor-quality images and difficulty in accurately identifying lesions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an array of microwave probes with multiple configurations and varying assumptions about the dielectric properties of the breast tissue is used to acquire and process signals, reconstruct 3D radar images, and apply morphological processing to identify and validate regions of interest using solidity and persistence criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a priori knowledge of dielectric properties is assumed for image reconstruction, then image quality can be improved, but the complexity of the imaging system increases due to the need for multiple hypotheses and processing configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dielectric property assumptions into multiple discrete hypotheses (different values of the parameter pcfib representing fibro-glandular tissue percentage). Each hypothesis generates a separate elementary image, which are then processed individually through morphological operations and persistence evaluation. This segmentation allows systematic exploration of different tissue composition scenarios without requiring complex real-time adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dielectric parameter (pcfib - percentage of fibro-glandular tissue) across multiple hypotheses to account for tissue heterogeneity. By processing signals through N different sets of parameter values and evaluating persistence across these variations, the system identifies regions that consistently appear across different parameter assumptions, thereby improving detection reliability while managing computational complexity through structured parameter variation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple configurations of probes are used to account for tissue heterogeneity, then detection accuracy improves, but the acquisition time and processing duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary morphological processing on each elementary image generated from different parameter hypotheses before final reconstruction. By applying morphological operations (such as erosion, dilation, opening, closing) and persistence evaluation in advance, the system pre-identifies potential lesion regions that are consistent across multiple hypotheses. This preliminary processing reduces the computational burden on final image reconstruction and accelerates the overall acquisition process by filtering out non-persistent artifacts early.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the quality of microwave imaging by accurately identifying regions of interest, improving the detection of breast lesions by accounting for the heterogeneity of breast tissue dielectric properties.
Implementation Method 1
emission probes configured to illuminate all or part of the organ to be imaged by means of electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
The received waves passed through the area to be imaged by having undergone reflections on the obstacles encountered, at the locations of dielectric contrasts (for example a cancerous lesion located in healthy tissues)
Implementation Method 3
reflections on the obstacles encountered, at the locations of dielectric contrasts
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for processing medical images of human tissue of an area of a patient's body and in particular of the breast by means of a medical imaging device (1) comprising a microwave probe array consisting of K>1 probes spaced apart from one another, the array comprising P>1 different configurations defining transmitting probes and receiving probes for one or more position(s) around the area, in which the transmitting probes are configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate an area of the body and the receiving probes are configured to receive microwave signals after scattering and reflection in the area, the probes being capable, in a complementary manner, of being configured to transmit and receive simultaneously.