Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for Enhanced Microwave Imaging and Thermal Treatment of Breast Cancer

摘要

The goal of this project was to investigate the microwave-frequency response of microparticle and nanoparticle contrast agents for the purpose of enhancing the sensitivity of microwave detection of breast cancer. We experimentally characterized the effective electromagnetic properties of a variety of micro/nanoparticle dispersions at microwave frequencies, developed theoretical and numerical tools to model microwave interactions with micro/nanoparticles, and conducted experimental investigations of the microwave scattering and absorption properties of the contrast agents in tissue-mimicking phantoms. We demonstrated that microbubbles and single-wall carbon nanotubes induce significant changes in the effective dielectric properties, heating efficiency, and thermoacoustic response of mixtures containing either of those particles. To the best of our knowledge, these accomplishments represent the first experimental laboratory demonstrations of contrast enhancement in a context relevant to microwave breast cancer detection.