Human breast images : segmentation, analysis and conversion to electrical parameter profiles for Semcad-X electromagnetic simulator

• Main Author: Al-Roubaie, Zahra.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 2008
• Subjects: Breast > Radiography.; Breast > Imaging.; Breast > Diseases > Diagnosis.; Diagnostic imaging > Digital techniques.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=116044

Electrical parameter profiles of human breast images can be used to simulate and analyze the anticipated effects on tissue from its interaction with electromagnetic fields involved in the cancer treatment exposure. In part, the success of this approach depends on the accuracy and precision in identifying the different tissue types. In this work, we propose two methods of segmenting human breast images with malignant tumors. The first method of algorithmic partitioning of the image involves manual color-edge contouring of the tissues using a cursor and subsequent identification of the tissue types. For the second method, MRI T1 values and thresholds are used to perform segmentation and we investigate the potential of incorporating edge detection. The first method is effective, while the second lacks precision, but eliminates the need of manual contouring. The images are imported as BMP files into SEMCAD, an electromagnetic simulation tool based on finite-difference time-domain method, which recognizes the grouped tissues and creates a model of the image. The model allows the user to easily assign electrical parameter values to the grouped tissues, according to the measured values reported in the literature.