Real-Time Thermoacoustic Imaging and Thermometry during Focused Microwave Heating in Multilayer Breast Phantom

Abstract

This study describes real-time thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) and thermometry (TAT) for feedback during thermal therapies. The system uses a linear ultrasound array and imaging system to noninvasively estimate temperature. The system was validated in gel phantoms, muscle and fat tissue samples. A mean error between 10 and 20% per degree was observed for estimating temperature. A TAT system using a single element ultrasound probe was also integrated with a focused microwave therapy (FMT) setup for generating local heating, leading to a mean error of 1.18±0.87 °C compared to thermocouples placed near the region of interest. The results support the long-term goal of developing a closed-loop platform for image-guided ablation therapy for breast cancer.