Abstract

Medical imaging based on solving inverse problems is becoming increasingly important in medical imaging as evidenced by the rise of tomographic techniques such as CT and MRI . Ultrasound tomography (UST) is a relatively new imaging modality that implements solutions of the acoustic wave equation to deliver 3D imaging of various tissue properties in support of breast cancer imaging. An overview of the technique is presented in the context of clinical and regulatory requirements that impose constraints on the mathematical approaches that can be used. Examples and analysis of clinical images are presented and compared to images not subject to such constraints. Results from clinical studies, including a recently completed, multi-center, breast cancer screening trial, are presented. Finally, the role of UST in future medical applications is discussed and opportunities for collaboration are presented.  Video 1: Reconstruction of a breast cancer Video 2: Reconstruction of a breast cross section containing a cyst Co-authors: Rehman Ali, PhD and Trevor Mitcham, PhD, University of Rochester