Optical breast atlas as a testbed for image reconstruction in optical mammography

We present two optical breast atlases for optical mammography, aiming to advance the image reconstruction research by providing a common platform to test advanced image reconstruction algorithms. Each atlas consists of five individual breast models. The first atlas provides breast vasculature surface models, which are derived from human breast dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data using image segmentation. A finite element-based method is used to deform the breast vasculature models from their natural shapes to generate the second atlas, compressed breast models. Breast compression is typically done in X-ray mammography but also necessary for some optical mammography systems. Technical validation is presented to demonstrate how the atlases can be used to study the image reconstruction algorithms. Optical measurements are generated numerically with compressed breast models and a predefined configuration of light sources and photodetectors. The simulated data is fed into three standard image reconstruction algorithms to reconstruct optical images of the vasculature, which can then be compared with the ground truth to evaluate their performance.

Wide field continuous wave reflectance optical topography including a clear layer on top of the diffusive surface

This work considers some experimental details which complement the results of a previous paper concerned with wide field near infrared continuous wave diffuse reflectance optical mammography. Different from the case of phantoms, clinical applications require some transparent interface between the breast and the camera. This interface provides the necessary flat surface to be imaged by the camera. We present an experimental study which compares the performance of the method when such an interface is present, to the case of the exposed phantom’s surface presented in that previous paper. Several index matching materials were also included in the study and a validation using Monte Carlo is presented.