High resolution breast imaging device utilizing non-ionizing radiation of narrow spectral bandwidth

摘要

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging which uses collimated light (in the near ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) of a narrow spectral bandwidth rather than ionizing X-ray radiation. The collimated light is transmitted through the breast, losing intensity due to the reflective, absorptive and refractive properties of the breast materials in the beam path. Normal and diseased breast materials may exhibit distinctive characteristics from each other when exposed to different wavelengths of light. Several images can be acquired at distinct wavelengths of light to help differentiate normal and diseased breast materials. Light transmitted through the breast is recorded by a photodetector, generating an analog signal which can then be digitized and made available to a computer for analysis, processing and display. The light transmitted through the breast can be collimated to reduce the level of scattered light which reaches the photodetector, improving image quality.