Ian J Craddock

Radar-Based Breast Cancer Detection Using a Hemispherical Antenna Array—Experimental Results

In this contribution, an ultrawideband (UWB) microwave system for breast cancer detection is presented. The system is based on a novel hemispherical real-aperture antenna array, which is employed in a multi-static radar-based detection system. The array consists of 16 UWB aperture-coupled stacked-patch antennas located on a section of a hemisphere. The radar system is designed to be used with realistic three-dimensional (3D) breast phantoms, which have been developed, as well as with real breast cancer patients during initial clinical trials. Images are formed using two different beamforming algorithms and the performance of these algorithms is firstly compared through numerical simulation. Experimental results for the same beamforming techniques are then presented, demonstrating the successful detection of 4 and 6 mm diameter spherical tumors in the curved breast phantom.

Microwave Radar-Based Differential Breast Cancer Imaging: Imaging in Homogeneous Breast Phantoms and Low Contrast Scenarios

This paper presents an improved antenna array for radar-based breast cancer imaging. The improvement was achieved by increasing the number of antennas in the array to 31 elements, as well as by improving the antenna design itself. Using an experimental setup, with homogeneous curved breast phantoms, we have demonstrated substantial imaging improvement with the new antenna array. The new system is also able to detect 7 mm-diameter tumor phantoms in any location within the breast, even as close as 4 mm from the skin layer. Additionally, we have shown good imaging results in low-contrast scenarios, where the dielectric contrast between tumor and normal tissue was reduced to 2:1. Presented results clearly demonstrate the large impact of antennas characteristics on imaging performance.

A Comparison of a Wide-Slot and a Stacked Patch Antenna for the Purpose of Breast Cancer Detection

A wide-slot UWB antenna is presented for intended use in the detection scheme being developed at the University of Bristol, based on the principle of synthetically focused UWB radar using a fully populated static array. The antennas measured and simulated, input and radiation characteristics are presented and compared to an existing, stacked patch antenna that has been designed for the same purpose. The results of this study show that the wide-slot antenna has excellent performance across the required frequency range. Compared to the stacked-patch antenna used in our previous array, the wide-slot antenna can be 3 times smaller (in terms of front surface). The compact nature of the slot antenna means that the detection array can be densely populated. Additionally, this new antenna offers better radiation coverage of the breast. For angles up to 60° away from bore-sight radiated pulses are almost identical (fidelity >95%), whereas for the patch antenna fidelity falls to 58% at the angular extremes. This uniform radiation into the breast should result in focused images with low levels of clutter.

Microwave Radar-Based Breast Cancer Detection: Imaging in Inhomogeneous Breast Phantoms

This letter presents, for the first time, experimental work on microwave breast cancer imaging using inhomogeneous breast phantoms. A recently designed 31-antenna array is used in imaging experiments. The imaging system operates in the full ultrawideband frequency range, between 3 and 10 GHz. To verify imaging performance of our system, new breast phantoms with inhomogeneous interior were developed. For three different breast phantoms presented in this work, the contrast between spherical phantom tumors and surrounding materials ranges from 5:1 to 1.6:1. Our results show that the biggest challenge in radar microwave imaging is the inhomogeneity of the volume being sensed, and not the contrast itself. In addition to experimental results, we also present the new image formation algorithm, which is a modified version of the delay-and-sum (DAS) algorithm. The new algorithm makes use of a new weighting factor, the coherence factor. The new algorithm is effective in reducing clutter, providing better images. For the most demanding imaging example presented herein, the new algorithm improves the peak clutter-to-target energy ratio by 3.1 dB.

Experimental and clinical results of breast cancer detection using UWB microwave radar

This paper presented the clinical results of breast cancer detection using a radar-based UWB microwave system developed at the University of Bristol. Additionally, the system overview and some experimental laboratory results are presented as well. For the clinical result shown in this contribution, we compare images obtained using the standard X-ray mammography and the radar-based microwave system. The developed microwave system has apparently successfully detected the tumor in correct position, as confirmed on the X-ray image, although the compression suffered by the breast during X-ray makes a precise positional determination impossible.

Improved delay-and-sum beamforming algorithm for breast cancer detection

We have evaluated a modified delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming algorithm for breast cancer detection with a microwave radar-based system. The improved DAS algorithm uses an additional weight factor calculated at each focal point to improve image quality. These weights essentially represent the quality of preprocessing and coherent radar operation. Using a multistatic UWB radar system based on a hemispherical antenna array, we present experimental detection of 7 mm and 10 mm phantom tumours. We show that the new proposed DAS algorithm improves signal-to-clutter ratio in focused images by 2.65 dB for 10 mm tumour, and by 4.4 dB for 7 mm tumour.

Feasibility Study of Lesion Classification via Contrast-Agent-Aided UWB Breast Imaging

This letter investigates the feasibility of applying contrast agents for lesion classification in ultra wideband (UWB) breast imaging. Previous study has focused on distinguishing benign from malignant masses by exploiting their morphology-dependent backscatter signature via the complex natural resonances of the late-time target response. The tissue differentiation capability, however, deteriorates severely if the intrinsic contrast between the dielectric properties of dysplastic and normal tissues are small. A possible solution to this problem is proposed in this letter via the use of microwave contrast agents, where the damping factors of the differential backscatter responses before and after the infusion of contrast agents to a dysplastic inclusion are used to correlate with the anomaly shapes. The feasibility of this approach for lesion classification is demonstrated through comprehensive simulation studies using realistic numerical breast models.

Finite difference time domain Simulation of the Earth-ionosphere resonant cavity: Schumann resonances

This paper presents a numerical approach to study the electrical properties of the Earths atmosphere. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique is applied to model the Earths atmosphere in order to determine Schumann resonant frequencies of the Earth. Three-dimensional spherical coordinates are employed and the conductivity profile of the atmosphere versus height is introduced. Periodic boundary conditions are implemented in order to exploit the symmetry in rotation of the Earth and decrease computational requirements dramatically. For the first time, very accurate FDTD results are obtained, not only for the fundamental mode but also for higher order modes of Schumann resonances. The proposed method constitutes a useful tool to obtain Schumann resonant frequencies, therefore to validate electrical models for the terrestrial atmosphere, or atmospheres of other celestial bodies.

Clinical trials of a multistatic UWB radar for breast imaging

This paper presents the development of a 60-element Ultra-WideBand (UWB) radar system for breast cancer detection and its use in clinical trials. The new system operates in the frequency range of 4–8GHz and is an improvement of the teams previous designs both in terms of the number of measurements made (which is increased by a factor of approximately 4) and in terms of acquisition speed. The 60-antenna radar system has undergone an extensive Clinical Trial in the Breast Care Centre at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. The rapid data acquisition has improved the accuracy of images while also providing a clinical experience that is more convenient and acceptable to patients.

A multi-modal sensor infrastructure for healthcare in a residential environment

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems based on sensor technologies are seen as key enablers to an ageing society. However, most approaches in this space do not provide a truly generic ambient space - one that is not only capable of assisting people with diverse medical conditions, but can also recognise the habits of healthy habitants, as well as those with developing medical conditions. The recognition of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is key to the understanding and provisioning of appropriate and efficient care. However, ADL recognition is particularly difficult to achieve in multi-resident spaces; especially with single-mode (albeit carefully crafted) solutions, which only have limited capabilities. To address these limitations we propose a multi-modal system architecture for AAL remote healthcare monitoring in the home, gathering information from multiple, diverse (sensor) data sources. In this paper we report on developments made to-date in various technical areas with respect to critical issues such as cost, power consumption, scalability, interoperability and privacy.