Enhanced high resolution breast imaging device and method utilizing non-ionizing radiation of narrow spectral bandwidth

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging using collimated non-ionizing radiation in the near ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave regions (i.e. “light”) rather than ionizing x-radiation. The incident collimated light is transmitted through and backscattered out of a breast and loses intensity due to the properties of the breast materials in the beam path. Normal and diseased breast materials may exhibit comparatively distinct characteristics when exposed to different wavelengths of light and thereby be differentiated. Collimation can be used to control the level of scattered radiation which reaches the detector. Transmission and/or backscattered measurements can be acquired from a number of perspectives. Radiation coupling materials can be employed during image acquisition to enhance radiation coupling into and out of the breast as well as well as providing desirable absorption, scattering, heat removal, lubrication, and tissue compensation properties. The effects of the pattern of a structured collimator on image quality can be reduced by moving the structured (patterned) collimator in a reciprocating manner during image acquisition. Additional scatter reduction and/or improved sensitivity can be attained by compressing a region of the breast using contoured and/or flat compression plates of various sizes. An acoustic field can be introduced into a volume of breast tissue, altering its optical qualities. These changes can be recorded by intersecting an optical field with the acoustic field, providing spatial information and tissue characterization.

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