3D-printed gear system for antenna motion in an MR environment: initial phantom imaging experiments.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Microwave Engineering

Background:

• Breast cancer diagnosis relies on advanced imaging techniques.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers excellent soft-tissue contrast.
• Integrating complementary imaging modalities can enhance diagnostic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a microwave imaging system compatible with MRI scanners for breast cancer detection.
• To assess the system's ability to accurately characterize objects within a simulated breast environment.
• To overcome technical challenges of concurrent MRI and microwave measurements.

Main Methods:

• A microwave measurement system with a 16-monopole antenna array was designed.
• A novel 3D printed gearing mechanism enabled vertical antenna movement for 3D scanning.
• Compatibility issues between microwave and MRI systems were addressed.
• The system was tested for its ability to recover properties of a 3D object.

Main Results:

• The developed microwave imaging device functions concurrently within an MRI system.
• The system successfully achieved full 3D coverage of the breast area.
• Accurate recovery of the size, shape, location, and properties of a 3D object was demonstrated.
• The 3D printed gearing device enabled precise antenna positioning.

Conclusions:

• The integrated microwave-MRI system is a viable approach for enhanced breast imaging.
• This technology represents a significant advancement towards clinical application of microwave breast imaging in MRI.
• The system's capability to accurately characterize targets is a crucial step for future clinical trials.