In this brief paper, we demonstrate a working prototype of an optical breast imaging system using parallel-paddle architecture with dual-direction scanning, of which the designed module is incorporated with a mammographic system for the acquisition of optical information in both the up-down and down-up directions. This device is handled through compressing breast tissue with using two parallel paddles. Compared with the single-direction projection scheme, double optical information can be acquired by dual-direction projection as using two pairs of 1-D scanning array with up-down and down-up projection, respectively. Additionally, the scanning module enables to move with a designated pitch to accommodate breast size for acquiring adequate data to reconstruct optical-property images. Currently, the continuous wave (CW) system operating at direct current (DC) light source of a single wavelength is convenient for breast screening instead of diagnosis.
Based on our previous results in the laboratory [1,2], this performed...
