Three-dimensional reconstruction of transillumination tomographic images of human breast phantoms by red and infrared lasers

A laser transillumination tomographic system, using red and near infrared lasers, to obtain cross-sectional images of human breast phantoms and human hand is proposed. The scanning assembly is consisting of upward, downward, rotational and pitch movements. The phantoms, made of paraffin wax, agar gel, and milk placed in a glass model, are embedded with abnormalities like blood, water, solid objects, and tissues. By illuminating the phantoms at various heights by either red or infrared laser the projection data are collected. Based on 64 projections the tomogram of each section is constructed. By volume visualization procedure applied to the tomograms the objects of varying composition embedded within the phantoms are detected and their size, shape, and location depth are determined. The cross-sectional image of a human hand obtained by this procedure further shows the possibility of application of this technique for imaging of organs.