Simultaneous Bilateral Optical Tomography of Vascular Dynamics of the Breast Using High-Density Sensing Arrays

Abstract

An optical tomography system was developed that allows the simultaneous bilateral imaging of the breasts’ vascular dynamics with a high spatial probing density (2096 measuring channels per wavelengths per breast). The system features novel fiber-optic probe arrays, which afford high-fidelity optical contact in a well-defined geometry, and which conform to a wide range of breast shapes and sizes without undue compression or the use of coupling fluids. The sensing arrays use strain gauges to monitor the compression of the breasts and to measure the tissue’s reaction to pressure-modulating patient maneuvers. The system is described and preliminary experimental results from combined optical/strain measurements on the healthy breast are shown.