title: Microwave early detection of breast cancers using a virtual-focus scanning method.
abstract: In this work, we apply a virtual-focus scanning method to detect a tumor inside a simplified two-dimensional breast model via the finite difference time domain method. For the purpose of simplification, we construct a microwave detection system with an N-element infinitesimal dipole array, and excite the central element of the array while letting all elements receive the time-shifted scattered fields in order to filter out unwanted signals. With the application of the two-step, virtual-focus scanning method, our computerized prototype system has accurately detected randomly generated tumors in all cases investigated, including small tumors in early stages of development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yinchao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bulter
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves; D013997:Time Factors