Separate modal analysis for tumor detection with a Digital Image Elasto Tomography (DIET) breast cancer screening system

Digital Image Elasto Tomography (DIET) is a non-invasive breast cancer screening modality that induces mechanical vibrations into a breast and images its surface mo- tion with digital cameras. A new approach in software based diagnosis of this surface motion is presented, focussing on the second natural frequency of the breast. Sepa- rate modal analysis is used to estimate the modal parameters using imaging data from silicone phantoms. The second natural frequency proves to be a reliable metric with the potential to clearly distinguish cancerous and healthy tissue as well as providing an approximate location for the tumor. Furthermore, thorough statistical analysis is performed to verify the results