Three-Dimensional Electromagnetic Torso Scanner.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Conventional imaging modalities like ultrasound, CT, and MRI have limitations for certain chest and upper abdomen pathologies.
• There is a need for auxiliary imaging techniques to complement existing methods for conditions such as pulmonary abscess, fatty liver disease, and renal cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic torso scanner system.
• To evaluate the system's capability as a complementary imaging modality for chest and upper abdomen pathologies.

Main Methods:

• The system utilizes an array of 14 resonance-based reflector (RBR) antennas operating between 0.83 and 1.9 GHz.
• Mechanical movement of the antenna array allows scanning of different torso regions with millimeter accuracy.
• A 3D imaging algorithm combining fast frequency-based microwave imaging and slice interpolation was developed.

Main Results:

• The 3D electromagnetic torso scanner system was validated using a torso phantom with simulated pulmonary abscess.
• The system successfully and reproducibly determined the location and volume of injected fluid (simulating abscess).
• The imaging algorithm demonstrated effective 3D image generation.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D electromagnetic torso scanner system shows promise as an auxiliary imaging tool.
• The system's ability to accurately detect and quantify simulated pathologies like pulmonary abscess is demonstrated.
• Further research may explore its application for diagnosing various chest and upper abdomen diseases.