Tomographic imaging creates three-dimensional models of breast cancer that supplement the information provided by mammograms, a breast cancer screening method commonly used in hospitals. Currently, the Optics in Medicine Laboratory is researching a number of methods to improve these imaging techniques, and is developing medical devices that integrate tomographic imaging with other tumor-modeling techniques.
This July, Professor Keith Paulsen acquired both 2D and 3D microwave tomographic images of calcaneus bones in two patients. This study, which was conducted with seven other medical researchers, compared the data gathered through microwave tomographic imaging against x-ray density measurements. The team observed a good correlation between the data gathered from the two imaging systems. The study represents the first clinical examples of microwave images taken of the calcaneus, as well as some of the first successful 3D tomographic images taken of a human anatomic site in a clinical setting.
Published by the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center earlier this month, Dr. Steven Poplack explains the benefits of tomosythesis mammography in this video. Though Dr. Poplack is not directly affiliated with the Optics in Medicine Lab, his explanation of tomosythesis mammography relates to the research conducted by Professor Paulsen.
