Current imaging methods for breast cancer detection and diagnosis are imperfect, especially in high-risk groups composed of younger women with dense breasts. This application for a phased innovation award (R21/R33) proposes novel technology integration centered on magnetic resonance (MR) in combination with microwave methods to produce two new concepts termed Magnetic Resonance Microwave Absorption (MRMA) imaging and Magnetic Resonance-compatible Microwave Tomography (MRMT) initially targeted at imaging breast disease. MRMA exploits MR to measure a thermoelastic wave response induced by local microwave power absorption whereas MRMT utilizes MR to generate coregistered geometrical/anatomical information as priors for image reconstruction in microwave tomography (MT). Depending on certain outcomes from the R21 feasibility studies, a single MRMA + MRMT imaging platform is anticipated, although exit strategies exist for developing MRMA and MRMT in parallel but as separate systems, or for only one or the other of the techniques, alone. Feasibility includes demonstration of (1) MR detection of certain spectral components of the microwave-induced thermoelastic response, (2) electromagnetic compatibility of the heating and sensing subsystems which comprise the composite imaging technique, and (3) physical layout of subsystem elements that would be accommodated in the limited space available for breast imaging within the bore of a standard clinical magnet. The R33 stage of investigation focuses on implementation of data acquisition hardware, image reconstruction software, phantom testing and initial clinical exams using the imaging concepts which prove feasible with the end-goal of realizing a single integration of the MRMA and MRMT principles. If successful, this work offers the potential to lead to novel imaging strategies for breast cancer detection and diagnosis in high-risk groups of women.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants Phase II (R33)
Project #
4R33CA102938-02
Application #
7272330
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SBIB-J (90))
Program Officer
Baker, Houston
Project Start
2005-05-05
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2006-08-18
Budget End
2007-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$503,103
Indirect Cost
Name
Dartmouth College
Department
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
041027822
City
Hanover
State
NH
Country
United States
Zip Code
03755
Meaney, Paul M; Golnabi, Amir H; Epstein, Neil R et al. (2013) Integration of microwave tomography with magnetic resonance for improved breast imaging. Med Phys 40:103101
Meaney, Paul M; Shubitidze, Fridon; Fanning, Margaret W et al. (2012) Surface wave multipath signals in near-field microwave imaging. Int J Biomed Imaging 2012:697253
Golnabi, Amir H; Meaney, Paul M; Epstein, Neil R et al. (2011) Microwave imaging for breast cancer detection: advances in three--dimensional image reconstruction. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2011:5730-3
Golnabi, Amir H; Meaney, Paul M; Geimer, Shireen D et al. (2011) Comparison of no-prior and soft-prior regularization in biomedical microwave imaging. J Med Phys 36:159-70
Epstein, Neil R; Golnabi, Amir H; Meaney, Paul M et al. (2011) Microwave dielectric contrast imaging in a magnetic resonant environment and the effect of using magnetic resonant spatial information in image reconstruction. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2011:5738-41
Xie, Bin; Weaver, John B; Meaney, Paul M et al. (2009) Magnetic resonance microwave absorption imaging: feasibility of signal detection. Med Phys 36:5190-7