Seven-wavelength time-resolved optical mammography extending beyond 1000 nm for breast collagen quantification

Our multi-wavelength time-resolved optical mammograph was upgraded to improve its overall performances and extend its spectral coverage up to 1060 nm, with the aim of increasing the measurement sensitivity to the content of collagen in breast tissue. Late-gated intensity and reduced scattering images are routinely displayed for diagnostic purposes. Maps of tissue constituents (lipid, water and collagen) and blood parameters (total hemoglobin content and blood oxygenation) are built to highlight spatial changes due to physiological and pathological reasons. The upgraded instrument was tested on tissue phantoms. Then images were collected at 7 wavelengths (635-1060 nm) from 10 healthy volunteers. Average collagen content correlated with breast density whenever x-ray mammograms were available (6 subjects).