Finite element based optical image reconstruction for breast cancer detection

An image reconstruction experiment using a cw He-Ne laser system is reported here. Based on the diffusion approximation model and the finite element method, the authors have developed a reconstruction algorithm for their imaging system and have obtained a reconstructed image for the first time in the laboratory setting. The laboratory data is based on the type of tomographic data collection scheme and parameter estimation algorithm described here. The object geometry the authors attempted to reconstruct in this experiment was a two-region cylinder with distinct optical properties where the phantom material is composed of uniform microsphere solutions