Study of current density distribution in a non-invasive breast cancer detection device

Current density imaging (CDI) using a magnetic resonance (MR) imager has been shown to accurately measure electrical current density in a conductive object [1]. CDI measures the magnetic field generated by the current and converts it to current density (CD) by computing its curl. Therefore, CDI avoids both the inverse problem and invasiveness of other electrical measurement techniques such as electrical impedance tomography and direct electrode measurement. In this study, CDI is used to measure the three dimensional current density distribution inside the breast phantom using the same electrode location as the non-invasive breast cancer detection device. The current flow lines inside the phantom were also examined using the streamline analysis. This study experimentally characterized the sensitivity of the electrode configuration and confirmed its ability to monitor the entire breast.