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Zhan X, Liu Y, Chen Z, Luo J, Yang S, Yang X. Revolutionary approaches for cancer diagnosis by terahertz-based spectroscopy and imaging. Talanta 2023; 259:124483. [PMID: 37019007 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Most tumors are easily missed and misdiagnosed due to the lack of specific clinical signs and symptoms in the early stage. Thus, an accurate, rapid and reliable early tumor detection method is highly desirable. The application of terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging in biomedicine has made remarkable progress in the past two decades, which addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies and provides an alternative for early tumor diagnosis. Although issues such as size mismatch and strong absorption of THz waves by water have set hurdles for cancer diagnosis by THz technology, innovative materials and biosensors in recent years have led to possibilities for new THz biosensing and imaging methods. In this article, we reviewed the issues that need to be solved before THz technology is used for tumor-related biological sample detection and clinical auxiliary diagnosis. We focused on the recent research progress of THz technology, with an emphasis on biosensing and imaging. Finally, the application of THz spectroscopy and imaging for tumor diagnosis in clinical practice and the main challenges in this process were also mentioned. Collectively, THz-based spectroscopy and imaging reviewed here is envisioned as a cutting-edge approach for cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Gastroenterology Department, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Sha Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Xiang Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Ma D, Zhao J, Wang D, Li Z, Rong L, Wang Y, Lin S. Full-field high-resolution terahertz imaging based on a high-resistance silicon solid immersion lens. APPLIED OPTICS 2022; 61:7861-7866. [PMID: 36255900 DOI: 10.1364/ao.466248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The spatial resolution of the direct imaging system depends on the wavelength and the numerical aperture. In the terahertz (THz) waveband, the wavelength is relatively large, and the higher numerical aperture of the imaging system usually promises the possibility of achieving higher spatial resolution. Solid immersion technique is an effective method to expand the numerical aperture. We design and fabricate a hemisphere lens with high-resistance silicon to achieve the effect of solid immersion, and obtain full-field, high-resolution focal-plane imaging. The characteristics of the direct refraction imaging and the secondary reflection imaging are analyzed by ray-tracing calculations. And the field curvature of the equivalent object plane and the spot diagram on the vertical image plane of the lens are quantifiably evaluated. It is shown that the secondary reflection imaging can effectively reduce the geometric distortion and achieve more ideal imaging quality. The method of blocking different regions before and after the solid immersion lens is proposed to obtain a clear magnified image of a two-dimensional grating with the period of 300 µm. This method provides a powerful tool for THz full-field microscopic imaging.
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Amini T, Jahangiri F, Ameri Z, Hemmatian MA. A Review of Feasible Applications of THz Waves in Medical Diagnostics and Treatments. J Lasers Med Sci 2021; 12:e92. [PMID: 35155177 PMCID: PMC8837828 DOI: 10.34172/jlms.2021.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Terahertz (THz) waves with frequencies in the range of 0.1 to 10 THz are electromagnetic radiation with growing applications in various fields of science and technology. Attractive features of this radiation have brought out many novel possibilities for medical diagnostics and treatments with considerable advantages compared to other conventional methods. Methods: In this paper, we present a review of more recent reports on practical applications of THz radiation for diagnostic, biosensing and clinical treatments. The review includes the diagnosis of breast, skin, mouth, cervical, lungs, small intestine, prostate, colon, and stomach cancers, the evaluation of biomolecules, the detection of genetic mutations, the determination of burn depth, the diagnosis of tooth decay, diabetes, and emotional-psychological states, the evaluation of corneal water to diagnose visual diseases, and wound healing monitoring. Further, it embraces the use of THz therapy in reducing the size of the tumor, treating skin cancer, and healing burn wounds, cardiovascular disease, corneal epithelium, angina, and THz heating. Results: This review has emphasized the capabilities of THz waves as a novel tool for future clinical diagnostics and treatments. Conclusion: The paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the feasible potential application of THz waves for clinical purposes and its advantages in comparison with other conventional tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Amini
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Jahangiri
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zoha Ameri
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Hemmatian
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Wang L. Terahertz Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:6465. [PMID: 34640784 PMCID: PMC8512288 DOI: 10.3390/s21196465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Terahertz (THz) imaging has the potential to detect breast tumors during breast-conserving surgery accurately. Over the past decade, many research groups have extensively studied THz imaging and spectroscopy techniques for identifying breast tumors. This manuscript presents the recent development of THz imaging techniques for breast cancer detection. The dielectric properties of breast tissues in the THz range, THz imaging and spectroscopy systems, THz radiation sources, and THz breast imaging studies are discussed. In addition, numerous chemometrics methods applied to improve THz image resolution and data collection processing are summarized. Finally, challenges and future research directions of THz breast imaging are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Wang
- Biomedical Device Innovation Center, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China;
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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Vohra N, Chavez T, Troncoso JR, Rajaram N, Wu J, Coan PN, Jackson TA, Bailey K, El-Shenawee M. Mammary tumors in Sprague Dawley rats induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea for evaluating terahertz imaging of breast cancer. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2021; 8:023504. [PMID: 33928181 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.8.2.023504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study is to quantitatively evaluate terahertz (THz) imaging for differentiating cancerous from non-cancerous tissues in mammary tumors developed in response to injection of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) in Sprague Dawley rats. Approach: While previous studies have investigated the biology of mammary tumors of this model, the current work is the first study to employ an imaging modality to visualize these tumors. A pulsed THz imaging system is utilized to experimentally collect the time-domain reflection signals from each pixel of the rat's excised tumor. A statistical segmentation algorithm based on the expectation-maximization (EM) classification method is implemented to quantitatively assess the obtained THz images. The model classification of cancer is reported in terms of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the areas under the curves. Results: The obtained low-power microscopic images of 17 ENU-rat tumor sections exhibited the presence of healthy connective tissue adjacent to cancerous tissue. The results also demonstrated that high reflection THz signals were received from cancerous compared with non-cancerous tissues. Decent tumor classification was achieved using the EM method with values ranging from 83% to 96% in fresh tissues and 89% to 96% in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Conclusions: The proposed ENU breast tumor model of Sprague Dawley rats showed a potential to obtain cancerous tissues, such as human breast tumors, adjacent to healthy tissues. The implemented EM classification algorithm quantitatively demonstrated the ability of THz imaging in differentiating cancerous from non-cancerous tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagma Vohra
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Tanny Chavez
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Joel R Troncoso
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Jingxian Wu
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Patricia N Coan
- Oklahoma State University, Animal Resources Unit, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Todd A Jackson
- Oklahoma State University, Animal Resources Unit, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Keith Bailey
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Magda El-Shenawee
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
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Amarasinghe Y, Mendis R, Mittleman DM. Real-time object tracking using a leaky THz waveguide. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:17997-18005. [PMID: 32680001 DOI: 10.1364/oe.394825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a 2D radar system for the THz region using a leaky parallel-plate waveguide, which can support real-time object tracking. The system can track a target within 200 ms with an accuracy of 1 mm in range and 1.4° in angle. Because the system is based on broadband excitation, it can locate multiple objects simultaneously. The broadband excitation also enables sensing of objects for which there is no direct line-of-sight path to the waveguide, via detection of a non-line-of-sight path.
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Enhanced Ultra-Sensitive Metamaterial Resonance Sensor based on Double Corrugated Metal stripe for Terahertz Sensing. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7516. [PMID: 31101871 PMCID: PMC6525158 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, an ultra-sensitive metamaterial terahertz sensor is proposed. The resonance sensor is designed based on a novel double corrugation form to enhance the ability of the sensor in the terms of sensitivity, Q-factor and the maximum sensible thickness of an analyte. The introduced structure can support the spoof surface plasmon and can resonate strongly at the tuned frequencies. Moreover, the structure of the terahertz sensor is investigated thoroughly from different points of view including frequency shifts due to variations in the thickness or refractive index of the analyte. In addition, the sensitivity of the sensor is approximated with a biharmonic fitting function for different combinations of refractive index and analyte thickness as “sensitivity surface”. The sensor shows the maximum sensitivity of 1.75 THz/RIU for refractive index between 1–1.2 with a maximum thickness of 80 μm. Moreover, the simulation results approved that the double corrugation on the metal stripe improves the electromagnetic field interaction in the metal part greatly in comparison with the previously reported works. According to this work, the proposed structure can be applied for terahertz sensing with more abilities to sense even thicker biologic tissues.
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Chavez T, Bowman T, Wu J, Bailey K, El-Shenawee M. Assessment of Terahertz Imaging for Excised Breast Cancer Tumors with Image Morphing. JOURNAL OF INFRARED, MILLIMETER AND TERAHERTZ WAVES 2018; 39:1283-1302. [PMID: 30984302 PMCID: PMC6457662 DOI: 10.1007/s10762-018-0529-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents an image morphing algorithm for quantitative evaluation methodology of terahertz (THz) images of excised breast cancer tumors. Most current studies on the assessment of THz imaging rely on qualitative evaluation, and there is no established benchmark or procedure to quantify the THz imaging performance. The proposed morphing algorithm provides a tool to quantitatively align the THz image with the histopathology image. Freshly excised xenograft murine breast cancer tumors are imaged using the pulsed THz imaging and spectroscopy system in the reflection mode. Upon fixing the tumor tissue in formalin and embedding in paraffin, an FFPE tissue block is produced. A thin slice of the block is prepared for the pathology image while another THz reflection image is produced directly from the block. We developed an algorithm of mesh morphing using homography mapping of the histopathology image to adjust the alignment, shape, and resolution to match the external contour of the tissue in the THz image. Unlike conventional image morphing algorithms that rely on internal features of the source and target images, only the external contour of the tissue is used to avoid bias. Unsupervised Bayesian learning algorithm is applied to THz images to classify the tissue regions of cancer, fat, and muscles present in xenograft breast tumors. The results demonstrate that the proposed mesh morphing algorithm can provide more effective and accurate evaluation of THz imaging compared with existing algorithms. The results also showed that while THz images of FFPE tissue are highly in agreement with pathology images, challenges remain in assessing THz imaging of fresh tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanny Chavez
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA,
| | - Tyler Bowman
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA,
| | - Jingxian Wu
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA,
| | - Keith Bailey
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater,OK, 74076 USA,
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Bowman T, Chavez T, Khan K, Wu J, Chakraborty A, Rajaram N, Bailey K, El-Shenawee M. Pulsed terahertz imaging of breast cancer in freshly excised murine tumors. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2018; 23:1-13. [PMID: 29446263 PMCID: PMC5812433 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.23.2.026004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates terahertz (THz) imaging and classification of freshly excised murine xenograft breast cancer tumors. These tumors are grown via injection of E0771 breast adenocarcinoma cells into the flank of mice maintained on high-fat diet. Within 1 h of excision, the tumor and adjacent tissues are imaged using a pulsed THz system in the reflection mode. The THz images are classified using a statistical Bayesian mixture model with unsupervised and supervised approaches. Correlation with digitized pathology images is conducted using classification images assigned by a modal class decision rule. The corresponding receiver operating characteristic curves are obtained based on the classification results. A total of 13 tumor samples obtained from 9 tumors are investigated. The results show good correlation of THz images with pathology results in all samples of cancer and fat tissues. For tumor samples of cancer, fat, and muscle tissues, THz images show reasonable correlation with pathology where the primary challenge lies in the overlapping dielectric properties of cancer and muscle tissues. The use of a supervised regression approach shows improvement in the classification images although not consistently in all tissue regions. Advancing THz imaging of breast tumors from mice and the development of accurate statistical models will ultimately progress the technique for the assessment of human breast tumor margins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Bowman
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Tanny Chavez
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Kamrul Khan
- University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering Building, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Jingxian Wu
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Avishek Chakraborty
- University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering Building, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
| | - Keith Bailey
- Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Magda El-Shenawee
- University of Arkansas, Bell Engineering Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
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