Thermoacoustic imaging and its application in breast cancer detection and therapy_Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Authors：

CHEN Yang ^1,2 , LI Jiawu ² , LUO Yan ² , YAN Hongmei ¹ , JIANG Huabei ^1,3 ,  HUANG Lin ^1,3

1. Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R.China;
2. Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R.China;
3. School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R. China;

Corresponding author：

Keywords：

microwave; thermoacoustic imaging; breast cancer; detection

DOI：

10.7507/1001-5515.201901061

Video：

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Thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) is a new non-invasive, non-ionization and nondestructive modality capable of high microwave contrast and high ultrasound resolution, and it has attracted extensive attention in recent years. This review introduces the technical principle, imaging system and imaging characteristics of TAI, and then introduces the application of TAI for breast cancer detection as an example. This review introduces the advantages of TAI in solving corresponding clinical problems in view of its high resolution and high contrast. In addition, it also explains the roles of TAI in medical diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the potential applications of TAI in medical diagnosis is introduced from many aspects and multiple perspectives. The future development of TAI in the challenges of current medical diagnosis is also prospected.

Citation： CHEN Yang, LI Jiawu, LUO Yan, YAN Hongmei, JIANG Huabei, HUANG Lin. Thermoacoustic imaging and its application in breast cancer detection and therapy. Journal of Biomedical Engineering, 2019, 36(4): 684-690. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.201901061 Copy

1.	Xu Fei, Ji Zhong, Chen Qun, et al. Nonlinear thermoacoustic imaging based on temperature-dependent thermoelastic response. IEEE Trans Med Imaging, 2019, 38(1): 205-212.
2.	Nan Hao, Liu Shiyu, Buckmaster J G, et al. Beamforming microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging for screening applications. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech, 2019, 67(1): 464-474.
3.	Nan Hao, Arbabian A. A programmable RF transmitter for wideband thermoacoustic spectroscopic imaging//2018 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium-IMS. Philadelphia, USA: IEEE, 2018: 1405-1408.
4.	Kruger R A, Kiser W L, Reinecke D R, et al. Thermoacoustic molecular imaging of small animals. Mol Imaging, 2003, 2(2): 113-123.
5.	Chi Zihui, Zhao Yuan, Yang Jinge, et al. Thermoacoustic tomography of in vivo human finger joints. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, 2019, 66(6): 1598-1608.
6.	Chi Zihui, Zhao Yuan, Huang Lin, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging of rabbit knee joints. Med Phys, 2016, 43(12): 6226-6233.
7.	Zhao Yuan, Chi Zihui, Huang Lin, et al. Thermoacoustic tomography of in vivo rat brain. J Innov Opt Health Sci, 2017, 10(4, SI): 1740001.
8.	Huang Lin, Li Tingting, Jiang Huabei. Technical Note: Thermoacoustic imaging of hemorrhagic stroke: A feasibility study with a human skull. Med Phys, 2017, 44(4): 1494-1499.
9.	Aliroteh M S, Arbabian A. Microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of subcutaneous vasculature with near-field RF excitation. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech, 2018, 66(1): 577-588.
10.	Zheng Zhu, Huang Lin, Jiang Huabei. Label-free thermoacoustic imaging of human blood vessels in vivo. Appl Phys Lett, 2018, 113(25): 253702.
11.	Eckhart A T, Balmer R T, See W A, et al. Ex vivo thermoacoustic imaging over large fields of view with 108 MHz irradiation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, 2011, 58(8): 2238-2246.
12.	Patch S K, Hull D, See W A, et al. Toward quantitative whole organ thermoacoustics with a clinical array plus one very low-frequency channel applied to prostate cancer imaging. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control, 2016, 63(2): 245-255.
13.	Yeom Y K, Chae E Y, Kim H H, et al. Screening mammography for second breast cancers in women with history of early-stage breast cancer: factors and causes associated with non-detection. BMC Med Imaging, 2019, 19(1): 2.
14.	Cui Y, Yuan C, Ji Z. A review of microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging: Excitation source, data acquisition system and biomedical applications. J Innov Opt Health Sci, 2017, 10(4): 1730007.
15.	Song Jiaxiang, Li Yanhong, Li Yuanyuan, et al. Three-dimensional model of thermoacoustic tomography with electric excitation. J Appl Phys, 2018, 124(16): 164902.
16.	Xu Xueliang, Huang Lin, Ling Yan, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging of finger joints and bones: a feasibility study//2016 International Conference on Biotechnology and Medical Science. Nanjing, Jiangsu, China: World Scientific, 2016: 243-248.
17.	Huang Lin, Ge Shaoli, Zheng Zhu, et al. Technical Note: design of a handheld dipole antenna for a compact thermoacoustic imaging system. Med Phys, 2019, 46(2): 851-856.
18.	Ji Zhong, Ding Wenzheng, Ye Fanghao, et al. Handheld thermoacoustic scanning system based on a linear-array transducer. Ultrason Imaging, 2016, 38(4): 276-284.
19.	Wen L, Yang S, Zhong J, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging and therapy guidance based on ultra-short pulsed microwave pumped thermoelastic effect induced with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Theranostics, 2017, 7(7): 1976-1989.
20.	Wang Xin, Ji Zhong, Yang Sihua, et al. Morphological-adaptive photoacoustic tomography with flexible transducer and flexible orientation light. Opt Lett, 2017, 42(21): 4486-4489.
21.	Shan Tianqi, Qi Jin, Jiang M, et al. GPU-based acceleration and mesh optimization of finite-element-method-based quantitative photoacoustic tomography: a step towards clinical applications. Appl Opt, 2017, 56(15): 4426-4432.
22.	Smith R A, Andrews K S, Brooks D, et al. Cancer screening in the United States, 2018: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and current issues in cancer screening. CA Cancer J Clin, 2018, 68(4): 297-316.
23.	Sahiner B, Chan H P, Roubidoux M A, et al. Malignant and benign breast masses on 3D US volumetric images: effect of computer-aided diagnosis on radiologist accuracy. Radiology, 2007, 242(3): 716-724.
24.	Foster K R, Schepps J L. Dielectric properties of tumor and normal tissues at radio through microwave frequencies. J Microw Power, 1981, 16(2): 107-119.
25.	Joines W T, Zhang Y, Li C, et al. The measured electrical properties of normal and malignant human tissues from 50 to 900 MHz. Med Phys, 1994, 21(4): 547-550.
26.	Xu M H, Ku G, Jin X, et al. Breast cancer imaging by microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography. Proceedings of SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2005, 5697: 45-48.
27.	Zhao Yan, Ji Zhong, Qin Baohua, et al. A thermoacoustic imaging system with variable curvature and multi-dimensional detection adapted to breast tumor screening. J Appl Phys, 2018, 124(14): 144902.
28.	Huang Lin, Yao Lei, Liu Lixin, et al. Quantitative thermoacoustic tomography: Recovery of conductivity maps of heterogeneous media. Appl Phys Lett, 2012, 101(24): 244106.
29.	Saraswat S, Tak J, Liang Min, et al. Towards study on thermoacoustic imaging guided focused microwave therapy for breast cancer treatment//2018 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium-IMS. Philadelphia, USA: IEEE, 2018: 953-956.
30.	Mashal A, Booske J H, Hagness S C. Toward contrast-enhanced microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of breast cancer: an experimental study of the effects of microbubbles on simple thermoacoustic targets. Phys Med Biol, 2009, 54(3): 641-650.
31.	Fu Y, Ji Z, Ding W, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging over large field of view for three-dimensional breast tumor localization: a phantom study. Med Phys, 2014, 41(11): 110701.
32.	Luo S W, Ji z, Yang S H, et al. Near-field transmission-type microwave imaging for noninvasive evaluation of electromagnetic characteristics: toward early breast tumor detection. IEEE Photonics J, 2017, 9(6): 1-10.
33.	Huang Lin, Rong Jian, Yao Lei, et al. Quantitative thermoacoustic tomography for ex vivo imaging conductivity of breast tissue. Chin Phys Lett, 2013, 30(12): 124301.
34.	Kruger R A, Miller K D, Reynolds H E, et al. Breast cancer in vivo: contrast enhancement with thermoacoustic CT at 434 MHz - Feasibility study. Radiology, 2000, 216(1): 279-283.
35.	Ding Wenzheng, Lou Cunguang, Qiu Jieshan, et al. Targeted Fe-filled carbon nanotube as a multifunctional contrast agent for thermoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging of tumor in living mice. Nanomedicine, 2016, 12(1): 235-244.
36.	Qin H, Yang S, Xing D. Microwave-induced thermoacoustic computed tomography with a clinical contrast agent of NMG2[Gd(DTPA). Appl Phys Lett, 2012, 100(3): 033701.
37.	李玉林, 唐建武, 文剑明, 等. 病理学. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2005: 65.
38.	Wu W, Yang M, Xu M, et al. Diagnostic delay and mortality of active tuberculosis in patients after kidney transplantation in a tertiary care hospital in China. PLoS One, 2018, 13(4): e0195695.
39.	Xu Y, Wang L V. Rhesus monkey brain imaging through intact skull with thermoacoustic tomography. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control, 2006, 53(3): 542-548.
40.	贾杰. 规范乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的诊治流程. 中国康复医学杂志, 2018, 33(4): 375-378.
41.	Thoeny H C, De Keyzer F, Oyen R H, et al. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of kidneys in healthy volunteers and patients with parenchymal diseases: initial experience. Radiology, 2005, 235(3): 911-917.
42.	Horsthuis K, Bipat S, Bennink R J, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed with US, MR, scintigraphy, and CT: meta-analysis of prospective studies. Radiology, 2008, 247(1): 64-79.

1. Xu Fei, Ji Zhong, Chen Qun, et al. Nonlinear thermoacoustic imaging based on temperature-dependent thermoelastic response. IEEE Trans Med Imaging, 2019, 38(1): 205-212.
2. Nan Hao, Liu Shiyu, Buckmaster J G, et al. Beamforming microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging for screening applications. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech, 2019, 67(1): 464-474.
3. Nan Hao, Arbabian A. A programmable RF transmitter for wideband thermoacoustic spectroscopic imaging//2018 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium-IMS. Philadelphia, USA: IEEE, 2018: 1405-1408.
4. Kruger R A, Kiser W L, Reinecke D R, et al. Thermoacoustic molecular imaging of small animals. Mol Imaging, 2003, 2(2): 113-123.
5. Chi Zihui, Zhao Yuan, Yang Jinge, et al. Thermoacoustic tomography of in vivo human finger joints. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, 2019, 66(6): 1598-1608.
6. Chi Zihui, Zhao Yuan, Huang Lin, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging of rabbit knee joints. Med Phys, 2016, 43(12): 6226-6233.
7. Zhao Yuan, Chi Zihui, Huang Lin, et al. Thermoacoustic tomography of in vivo rat brain. J Innov Opt Health Sci, 2017, 10(4, SI): 1740001.
8. Huang Lin, Li Tingting, Jiang Huabei. Technical Note: Thermoacoustic imaging of hemorrhagic stroke: A feasibility study with a human skull. Med Phys, 2017, 44(4): 1494-1499.
9. Aliroteh M S, Arbabian A. Microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of subcutaneous vasculature with near-field RF excitation. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech, 2018, 66(1): 577-588.
10. Zheng Zhu, Huang Lin, Jiang Huabei. Label-free thermoacoustic imaging of human blood vessels in vivo. Appl Phys Lett, 2018, 113(25): 253702.
11. Eckhart A T, Balmer R T, See W A, et al. Ex vivo thermoacoustic imaging over large fields of view with 108 MHz irradiation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, 2011, 58(8): 2238-2246.
12. Patch S K, Hull D, See W A, et al. Toward quantitative whole organ thermoacoustics with a clinical array plus one very low-frequency channel applied to prostate cancer imaging. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control, 2016, 63(2): 245-255.
13. Yeom Y K, Chae E Y, Kim H H, et al. Screening mammography for second breast cancers in women with history of early-stage breast cancer: factors and causes associated with non-detection. BMC Med Imaging, 2019, 19(1): 2.
14. Cui Y, Yuan C, Ji Z. A review of microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging: Excitation source, data acquisition system and biomedical applications. J Innov Opt Health Sci, 2017, 10(4): 1730007.
15. Song Jiaxiang, Li Yanhong, Li Yuanyuan, et al. Three-dimensional model of thermoacoustic tomography with electric excitation. J Appl Phys, 2018, 124(16): 164902.
16. Xu Xueliang, Huang Lin, Ling Yan, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging of finger joints and bones: a feasibility study//2016 International Conference on Biotechnology and Medical Science. Nanjing, Jiangsu, China: World Scientific, 2016: 243-248.
17. Huang Lin, Ge Shaoli, Zheng Zhu, et al. Technical Note: design of a handheld dipole antenna for a compact thermoacoustic imaging system. Med Phys, 2019, 46(2): 851-856.
18. Ji Zhong, Ding Wenzheng, Ye Fanghao, et al. Handheld thermoacoustic scanning system based on a linear-array transducer. Ultrason Imaging, 2016, 38(4): 276-284.
19. Wen L, Yang S, Zhong J, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging and therapy guidance based on ultra-short pulsed microwave pumped thermoelastic effect induced with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Theranostics, 2017, 7(7): 1976-1989.
20. Wang Xin, Ji Zhong, Yang Sihua, et al. Morphological-adaptive photoacoustic tomography with flexible transducer and flexible orientation light. Opt Lett, 2017, 42(21): 4486-4489.
21. Shan Tianqi, Qi Jin, Jiang M, et al. GPU-based acceleration and mesh optimization of finite-element-method-based quantitative photoacoustic tomography: a step towards clinical applications. Appl Opt, 2017, 56(15): 4426-4432.
22. Smith R A, Andrews K S, Brooks D, et al. Cancer screening in the United States, 2018: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and current issues in cancer screening. CA Cancer J Clin, 2018, 68(4): 297-316.
23. Sahiner B, Chan H P, Roubidoux M A, et al. Malignant and benign breast masses on 3D US volumetric images: effect of computer-aided diagnosis on radiologist accuracy. Radiology, 2007, 242(3): 716-724.
24. Foster K R, Schepps J L. Dielectric properties of tumor and normal tissues at radio through microwave frequencies. J Microw Power, 1981, 16(2): 107-119.
25. Joines W T, Zhang Y, Li C, et al. The measured electrical properties of normal and malignant human tissues from 50 to 900 MHz. Med Phys, 1994, 21(4): 547-550.
26. Xu M H, Ku G, Jin X, et al. Breast cancer imaging by microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography. Proceedings of SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2005, 5697: 45-48.
27. Zhao Yan, Ji Zhong, Qin Baohua, et al. A thermoacoustic imaging system with variable curvature and multi-dimensional detection adapted to breast tumor screening. J Appl Phys, 2018, 124(14): 144902.
28. Huang Lin, Yao Lei, Liu Lixin, et al. Quantitative thermoacoustic tomography: Recovery of conductivity maps of heterogeneous media. Appl Phys Lett, 2012, 101(24): 244106.
29. Saraswat S, Tak J, Liang Min, et al. Towards study on thermoacoustic imaging guided focused microwave therapy for breast cancer treatment//2018 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium-IMS. Philadelphia, USA: IEEE, 2018: 953-956.
30. Mashal A, Booske J H, Hagness S C. Toward contrast-enhanced microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of breast cancer: an experimental study of the effects of microbubbles on simple thermoacoustic targets. Phys Med Biol, 2009, 54(3): 641-650.
31. Fu Y, Ji Z, Ding W, et al. Thermoacoustic imaging over large field of view for three-dimensional breast tumor localization: a phantom study. Med Phys, 2014, 41(11): 110701.
32. Luo S W, Ji z, Yang S H, et al. Near-field transmission-type microwave imaging for noninvasive evaluation of electromagnetic characteristics: toward early breast tumor detection. IEEE Photonics J, 2017, 9(6): 1-10.
33. Huang Lin, Rong Jian, Yao Lei, et al. Quantitative thermoacoustic tomography for ex vivo imaging conductivity of breast tissue. Chin Phys Lett, 2013, 30(12): 124301.
34. Kruger R A, Miller K D, Reynolds H E, et al. Breast cancer in vivo: contrast enhancement with thermoacoustic CT at 434 MHz - Feasibility study. Radiology, 2000, 216(1): 279-283.
35. Ding Wenzheng, Lou Cunguang, Qiu Jieshan, et al. Targeted Fe-filled carbon nanotube as a multifunctional contrast agent for thermoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging of tumor in living mice. Nanomedicine, 2016, 12(1): 235-244.
36. Qin H, Yang S, Xing D. Microwave-induced thermoacoustic computed tomography with a clinical contrast agent of NMG2[Gd(DTPA). Appl Phys Lett, 2012, 100(3): 033701.
37. 李玉林, 唐建武, 文剑明, 等. 病理学. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2005: 65.
38. Wu W, Yang M, Xu M, et al. Diagnostic delay and mortality of active tuberculosis in patients after kidney transplantation in a tertiary care hospital in China. PLoS One, 2018, 13(4): e0195695.
39. Xu Y, Wang L V. Rhesus monkey brain imaging through intact skull with thermoacoustic tomography. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control, 2006, 53(3): 542-548.
40. 贾杰. 规范乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的诊治流程. 中国康复医学杂志, 2018, 33(4): 375-378.
41. Thoeny H C, De Keyzer F, Oyen R H, et al. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of kidneys in healthy volunteers and patients with parenchymal diseases: initial experience. Radiology, 2005, 235(3): 911-917.
42. Horsthuis K, Bipat S, Bennink R J, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed with US, MR, scintigraphy, and CT: meta-analysis of prospective studies. Radiology, 2008, 247(1): 64-79.

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