2D phased array fluorescence wireless localizer in breast cancer detection

A method for rapid, non-invasive two-dimensional fluorescence localization of breast cancer using low frequency phased array near-infrared technique is presented in this article. In our study, we have developed a dual-channel fluorescence system to locate breast cancer. This system consists two pair of in-phase and out-of-phase light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light sources and photomultiplier tube (PMT) as the detector. Two null planes generated by cancellation of photon density waves will indicate the 2D position of breast cancer with exogenous contrast agents. The fluorescent contrast agent used in this study is indocyanine green (ICG). The whole system is in compact size for handheld. The wireless technique of Bluetooth was introduced into this instrument for convenient operation and computer processing. Phantom experiments show that the system can provide real time detection and localization of small hidden absorbing-fluorescent objects inside the highly scattering medium. The potential application is that it is low-cost and can be easily used for early breast cancer detection as homecare and self-examination instrument