| 摘要 |
<p>A method and a system (4) for breast tissue examination includes a time-resolved spectroscopy apparatus (20; 20A; 20B), a support (8; 9; 11; 12; 13) with an input port (14) and an output port (16) separated by a selected distance is positioned relative to the examined breast. Locations of the input and output ports are selected to examine a tissue region of the breast. A light source (32; 34; 60) generates pulses of electromagnetic radiation of a selected wavelength in the visible or infrared range. The pulses of duration on the order of a nanosecond or less are introduced into the breast tissue at the input port (14) and detected over time at the detection port (16). Signals corresponding to photons of detected modified pulses are accumulated over time. Values of the scattering coefficient or the absorption coefficient of the examined breast tissue are calculated based on the shape of the modified pulses. The examined breast tissue is characterized based on the values of the scattering coefficient or the absorption coefficient. Absorbing or fluorescing contrast agents may be introduced into the examined tissue. The system may be adapted for use with x-ray mammography, needle localization procedure or MRI mammography.</p> |
