Microwave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography through an adult human skull. Issue 4 (25th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, An; Lin, Li; Liu, Changjun; Shi, Junhui; Na, Shuai; Wang, Lihong V.
• Is Part Of: Medical physics. Volume 46:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1793
• Page End: 1797
• Publication Date: 2019-02-25
• Subjects: adult human brain -- microwave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography -- specific absorption rate (SAR) -- transcranial imaging; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Medical physics; Geneeskunde; Natuurkunde; Toepassingen; Biophysics; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1002/mp.13439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-2405

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of microwave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) of adult human brain. Methods: We analyzed the electric field distribution radiated from an antenna to acquire homogeneous illumination. We first imaged the anatomical structures in a rat's trunk to validate the thermoacoustic contrast in vivo . We then imaged an agar cylinder through an adult human skull ex vivo to demonstrate transcranial penetration of both microwave and ultrasound. We also analyzed the specific absorption rate to show the conformance to the safety standard for human electromagnetic exposure. Results: We successfully acquired cross‐sectional images of the rat's trunk in vivo . Major blood vessels and organs are clearly visible. The transcranial image shows that TAT can image through the adult human skull and reveal an agar enclosed by the skull. Conclusions: Microwave‐induced TAT of a rat's trunk in vivo and an agar phantom through an adult human skull ex vivo has been demonstrated experimentally. This study demonstrates both the TAT contrasts in vivo and the capability of transcranial imaging, showing potential of TAT for adult human brain imaging with high contrast and penetration.