Time resolved breast transillumination: Comparison of theoretical and experimental image resolution

Preliminary results are presented on the spatial resolution of time resolved breast transillumination. We have established that the resolution of an image could be described by the Image Quality Index or IQI, defined as the smallest diameter of a detectable object on the image. This theory is based on the statistical decision theory which suggests that the detectability of an object on an image is related to the signal to noise ratio SNR. The image is defined by its modulation transfer function, contrast and noise. These parameters, combined with the spatial spectrum of the object to detect, define the signal to noise ratio. In vitro measurements on samples of breast tissues have led to the image parameters and made possible the estimation of the expected experimental IQI. We present the results of time of flight measurements performed in realistic conditions, i.e. through a 20 mm thick samples of breast tissue. Thus a comparison of the theoretical predictions with in vitro data have been made and showed that the former simulation predictions were in quite good agreement with measurements.