WO2009146881A2

WO2009146881A2 - Breast cancer detection device having a fixing cone

Info

Publication number: WO2009146881A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/003921
Authority: WO
Inventors: René KRUPKA; Jürgen CARSTENS; David Picken; Jan Prochnow
Original assignee: Rohde & Schwarz Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2008-06-02
Filing date: 2009-06-02
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Also published as: DE102009007255A1; EP2291116A2; WO2009146881A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the examination of breast tissue, comprising a cone-shaped holder (15), a microwave transmitter (2), a microwave receiver (3), at least one antenna device (10), and one controller (4). An interior side of the holder (15) accommodates the breast. The antenna device (10) is disposed on an exterior side of the holder (15). The controller (4) controls the microwave transmitter (2) and the microwave receiver (3). The microwave transmitter (2) transmits a microwave signal into the breast by means of the antenna device (10). By means of the antenna device (10), the microwave receiver (3) receives the microwave signal scattered by the breast. The controller (4) determines information about the breast tissue based on the microwave signal received.

Description

Breast cancer detection with fixation funnel

The invention relates to devices and methods for the examination of objects, in particular breast tissue.

Traditionally, mammograms are made to examine breast tissue. These are characterized by a low accuracy and a high

Radiation exposure of the patient. Furthermore, the use of microwave radiation for the examination of breast tissue is known.

Thus, US 5,704,355 shows a system for the detection of breast cancer, which uses an antenna in direct contact with the breast. The disadvantage here is a low positioning accuracy of the antenna. This allows the breast to slip against the antenna during the examination.

Furthermore, the use of ultrasound for the examination of breast tissue is known. Thus, US 2006/0173307 A1 shows a device for positioning, fixation and ultrasound-based examination of breast tissue.

However, the disadvantage here is the low contrast of the resulting images and the high demands on the staff evaluating the images.

The invention is based on the object, a

To provide a device and a method which allow a reliable, accurate and low demands on the operator-facing examination of breast tissue. The object is achieved according to the invention for the devices by the features of independent claims 1, 6 and 9 and for the methods by the features of independent claim 13. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first device according to the invention for examining breast tissue comprises a funnel-shaped holder, a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna device and a control device. An inside of the holder picks up the breast. The antenna device is arranged on an outer side of the holder. The controller controls the microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver. The microwave transmitter sends a microwave signal into the breast by means of the antenna device. The microwave receiver receives the microwave signal scattered from the breast by means of the antenna device. The controller determines based on the received microwave signal information regarding the breast tissue. Thus, a slippage of the breast can be prevented at high examination quality.

Preferably, the antenna device is arranged on the outside of the holder radially around the funnel-shaped holder and / or axially along the funnel-shaped holder. The control device preferably controls the position of the antenna device on the outside of the holder. Thus, a high three-dimensional spatial resolution of the investigation is achieved.

The control device focuses by means of the antenna device preferably the emission and / or the Receiving the microwave signal to a location in the chest. Thus, the examination quality is further increased.

Preferably, the device further includes an excitation device. The excitation device loads the chest mechanically. The control device preferably controls the excitation device. Thus, additional information concerning the internal structure of the breast can be determined.

The control device preferably controls the excitation device in such a way that the microwave transmitter sends the microwave signal successively into the breast in at least two different load states of the breast. This ensures an accurate examination with simple operation.

A second device according to the invention for the examination of objects includes a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna device and a control device. The controller controls the microwave transmitter and the

Microwave receiver. The microwave transmitter includes a modulation device. The microwave transmitter generates a modulated signal by means of the modulation device

Microwave signal, whose modulation changes over time, and sends it into the object to be examined. The microwave receiver includes a demodulation device. The microwave receiver receives the microwave signal scattered by the object to be examined by means of the antenna device and demodulates it by means of the demodulation device. The controller determines information from the modulation of the received microwave signal concerning the object of investigation. Thus, a very high accuracy of the investigation can be achieved.

The modulation is preferably carried out by means of a pseudorandom sequence. This results in clear results of the investigation.

The modulated microwave signal is preferably a mobile radio signal, in particular a GSM signal or a UMTS signal. Thus, easily available standard components can be used.

A third device according to the invention for examining breast tissue comprises a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna device and a control device. The controller controls the microwave transmitter and the

Microwave receiver. The microwave transmitter transmits a first microwave signal into the breast by means of the antenna device. The microwave receiver receives the first microwave signal scattered from behind the breast and the chest by means of the antenna device. The microwave transmitter transmits a second microwave signal into the breast by means of the antenna device. The microwave receiver receives the second microwave signal scattered from the breast by means of the antenna device. The control device determines a fault model on the basis of the received first microwave signal. The controller corrects the received second microwave signal based on the

Fault model. The controller determines based on the corrected second microwave signal information regarding the breast tissue. This allows particularly accurate examination results to be achieved. The first microwave signal preferably has a lower frequency than the second microwave signal. Thus, the first measurement can be done in a very short time. Furthermore, a large penetration depth is achieved. A comparison with known anatomical data regarding the ribs is thus possible.

Preferably, the device includes a first microwave transmitter, a first microwave receiver, a second microwave transmitter and a second microwave receiver. The first microwave transmitter preferably transmits the first microwave signal. The first microwave receiver preferably receives the first microwave signal. The second microwave transmitter preferably transmits the second microwave signal. The second microwave receiver preferably receives the second microwave signal. Thus, particularly high accuracies of the examination results are achieved with short measuring times and low component costs, since components tailored to specific frequencies can be used.

The device preferably includes a first antenna device and a second antenna device. The first antenna device preferably processes the first microwave signal. The second antenna device preferably processes the second microwave signal. Thus, particularly high accuracies of the examination results are achieved with short measuring times and low component costs, since components tailored to specific frequencies can be used. The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawing, in which advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

3 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention;

4 shows a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

5 shows a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

6 shows a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

7 shows several exemplary signal waveforms;

8 shows a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

9 shows a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, and

10 shows a third embodiment of the method according to the invention. First, the structure and operation of the device according to the invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1-6. By means of Fig. 7, the operation of a specific embodiment is then illustrated. The mode of operation of various embodiments of the method according to the invention is finally shown with reference to FIGS. 8-10. Identical elements have not been repeatedly shown and described in similar figures.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. An apparatus for examining breast tissue includes an antenna device 10, a microwave transmitter 2, a microwave receiver 3, a controller 4, a funnel-shaped holder 15 and an antenna holder 16. The antenna device 10 is electrically connected to the microwave transmitter 2 and the microwave receiver 3. The microwave transmitter 2 and the microwave receiver 3 are electrically connected to the

Control device 4 connected. The controller 4 is electrically connected to the antenna holder 16. The antenna device 10 is mechanically connected to the antenna holder 16. Furthermore, the antenna device 10 is in contact with the funnel-shaped holder 15 or is located at a small distance to this.

The breast not to be examined, which is not shown here, is received and fixed by the funnel-shaped holder 15. The control device 4 causes the microwave transmitter 2 to generate a microwave signal and send it by means of the antenna device 10 through the funnel-shaped holder 15 in the chest. The Microwave signal is scattered from the breast and received by the microwave receiver 3 through the funnel-shaped holder 15 by means of the antenna device 10. The received signal is forwarded to the control device 4.

The antenna holder 16 is configured such that the antenna device 10 can be positioned at different positions on the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15. In this case, the antenna device 10 can be moved axially along the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15. Furthermore, the antenna device 10 can be moved radially around the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15 by rotation of the antenna holder 16. In this case, the antenna holder 16 rotates with respect to the funnel-shaped holder 15 and the breast to be examined.

For complete examination of the breast to be examined, the antenna device 10 is successively brought to a plurality of different positions 11, 12, 13 on the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15. At each position, a measurement is performed. Based on the results of the various measurements, the controller 4 determines information concerning the breast to be examined. For example, the internal structure of the breast to be examined can be determined.

The antenna device 10 consists of a single antenna, a plurality of individual antennas or an antenna array. The higher the number of individual antennas within the antenna device 10, the higher the spatial resolution at a given number of positions 11, 12, 13 of the antenna device 10. 2, a second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. The embodiment shown here corresponds in large parts to the embodiment shown in FIG. The antenna mount 16, the microwave transmitter 2, the microwave receiver 3 and the control device 4 have not been shown here for the sake of clarity.

The funnel-shaped holder 15 is placed on a breast 20. For the sake of clarity, the holder 15 is shown transparent. By means of negative pressure, which is generated by the line 21, the breast 20 is sucked into the holder 15 and fixed thereto. One

Slipping of the breast 20 within the funnel-shaped holder 15 during the examination is thereby precluded. On the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15, an excitation device 22 is further attached. The excitation device 22 is designed such that the breast 20 can be subjected to a variable mechanical load. This is achieved, for example, by the excitation device 22 pressing on the breast by means of a punch through a recess in the funnel-shaped holder 15. The passage of the punch through the holder 15 is largely airtight. The excitation device 22 is also controlled by the control device 4, not shown here.

To make an investigation, the funnel-shaped holder 15 is placed on the breast 20. The trapped between the chest 20 and the funnel-shaped support 15 is air by means of the line 21st evacuated. As a result, the breast 20 is sucked into the holder 15 and fixed thereto. As illustrated with reference to FIG. 1, the antenna device 10 is brought into different positions 11, 12, 13 while measurements are being taken. In addition, in each position 11, 12, 13 a plurality of different load conditions of the chest 20 are prepared and for each load condition a separate measurement is performed. Since different types of tissue, in particular tumors, 20 have different elasticities within the breast, these different types of tissue can be detected by changing mechanical stress on the breast.

In addition to a static load and a dynamic excitation with a mechanical vibration is possible. Alternatively, an excitation can be done by means of ultrasound.

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. Also, this embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. For the sake of clarity, only the funnel-shaped holder 15 and the antenna device 30 were shown here. The

Antenna device 30 is embodied here as an antenna array mounted on the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15. An antenna mount 16 is not necessary here since the use of the antenna array makes mechanical movement of the antenna device 30 unnecessary. By sequential or simultaneous use of the individual antennas of the antenna array, a Focusing on individual locations within the chest 20 can be performed.

The funnel-shaped holder 15 is held by a holding arm 31 here. The holding arm 31 is connected to a base 32. The holding arm 31 is used for the secure positioning and fixing of the funnel-shaped holder 15. It can be brought by the operator by hand in position and locked. Alternatively, the holding arm 31 has servo motors which enable automated positioning controlled by the control device 4.

4, a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a two-stage measurement is used to achieve an increased accuracy of the measurement. On the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15, a plurality of antenna devices 40, 41 are arranged. Optionally, further antenna devices 42, 43, 44, 45 are arranged there. The antenna devices 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are, as shown in Fig. 1, attached to an antenna holder 16, not shown here. As shown there, the individual antenna devices can be brought to different positions on the outside of the funnel-shaped holder 15.

Below the breast 20 are ribs 46 in the rib cage. The ribs 46 are made of bone and thus have a considerably greater density than the breast 20. Each individual rib has a diameter which is clearly above the resolution limit of the examination. Even under difficult conditions, the ribs are 46 thus easy to detect. From anatomical a priori information, the significant density difference of the ribs 46 and the surrounding tissue is known. The rough position of the ribs 46 below the breast 20 is known. This information is used to increase the accuracy of the investigation.

The control device 4 causes the microwave transmitter 2 to send a first microwave signal into the breast by means of at least one first antenna device 40. For this first microwave signal, a low microwave frequency is used. The first microwave signal penetrates deep into the tissue due to its low frequency. It is scattered by the breast 20 and by the ribs 46. The microwave receiver 3 receives the scattered microwave signal by means of the antenna device 40 and forwards it to the control device 4 for evaluation. This measurement is repeated for a plurality of positions of the antenna device 40. By a parallel or sequential

Use of multiple antenna devices 40, 42, 44 for transmitting and receiving, the resolution or the measurement speed can be increased.

Based on the known anatomical information and the measurements with the first microwave signal, the controller 4 determines a perturbation model, which primarily contains reflection at the top and bottom of the skin layer surrounding the outside of the breast.

Subsequently, the control device 4 causes the microwave transmitter 2 or a second, not shown, microwave transmitter to a second Send microwave signal by means of a second antenna device 41 or a plurality of second antenna means 41, 43, 45 in the breast 20. The use of a second microwave transmitter reduces the demands on the microwave transmitters, since the microwave transmitters thus each have to spend only a single frequency.

The use of second antenna devices 41, 43, 45 makes it possible to adapt the antenna devices 41, 43, 45 to the respectively transmitted microwave frequency. This increases the measurement accuracy and reduces the space requirement of the antenna devices 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.

The second microwave signal has a much higher frequency than the first microwave signal. The penetration depth is thus significantly lower. A scattering of the second microwave signal at the ribs 46 thus almost no longer occurs. The microwave receiver 3 or an alternative unillustrated second microwave receiver receives the second microwave signal by means of the antenna device 41 or antenna devices 41, 43, 45 and forwards it to the control device 4.

The control device 4 uses the fault model, which was generated on the basis of the received first microwave signal, to correct the received second microwave signal. This can be used to compensate for disturbing influences, eg of the skin layer. Based on the corrected second microwave signal, the control device 4 finally determines information regarding the breast to be examined. Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention. This embodiment is particularly concerned with the repeated accurate positioning of the funnel-shaped holder 15 on the breast 20. Thus, to verify the success of, for example, a radiation treatment, it is necessary to carry out several examinations of the same breast with time intervals. The positioning is problematic because the breast 20 undergoes deformation when it is sucked into the funnel-shaped holder 15. In order to ensure an identical positioning of the breast 20 within the funnel-shaped holder 15, markings 51 are applied to the breast 20 or in the vicinity of the breast 20. This is advantageously done by means of a long-lasting color. To the exact

Positioning of the funnel-shaped holder 15, a camera 50 is mounted on its front side, which looks through an air-tightly closed opening in the holder 15 in the direction of the breast 20.

For accurate positioning, the marks 51 in the current image of the camera are compared with recorded images. An identical position of the markers 51 is made by either manual or automatic positioning of the holder 15.

6, a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. The embodiment shown here largely corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. Of the

However, microwave transmitter 2 additionally includes a modulation device 5. The microwave receiver additionally includes a demodulation device 6. The modulation device modulates the microwave signal prior to transmission with a known signal, preferably with a pseudorandom sequence (PN sequence). The use of a mobile radio signal, in particular a GSM or UMTS signal is possible. The signal used for the modulation is not periodic or has a period length which is significantly greater than the longest transmission time from the microwave transmitter 2 to the microwave receiver 3.

The modulated signal is sent from the microwave transmitter 2 into the chest. It is scattered from the breast. However, the breast is not homogeneous in structure. This leads to a superposition of several scattered microwave signals at the microwave receiver 3. Die

Demodulation device 6 in the microwave receiver 3 performs a demodulation of the signal. By means of a comparison of the transmitted microwave signal and the received microwave signal, it is thus possible to deduce the internal structure of the breast. In particular, a temporal resolution of the scattered microwave signals is possible by the modulation. Thus, to evaluate the internal structure of the breast only received signals of a certain time window, which can be concluded that a certain penetration depth of the microwave signal, are used. In particular, a correlation of the transmitted and the received microwave signal enables the determination of discrete scattering objects. This will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

Fig. 7 shows several exemplary waveforms. Thus, the first signal 70 corresponds to the modulation of a first microwave signal transmitted to the breast. Only the Values 1 and 0 are present. They are arranged in a random way.

The second signal 71 corresponds to the first signal 70 scattered by a first scattering object

For clarity, the other signals were also shown only with the values 1 and 0, although in a real application would be assumed by a muted signal. The signal differs from the first signal 70 by a time shift which is less than one sample period. In the presentation, the signals do not differ. The scatter object is thus very close to the antenna.

The third signal 72 corresponds to the first signal 70 scattered by a second scattering object. The signal differs from the first signal 70 by a time shift of 3 time units. The scattering object is thus at a certain distance from the antenna.

The fourth signal 73 corresponds to the first signal 70 scattered by a third scattering object. The signal differs from the first signal 70 by a time shift of 4 time units. The

The scattering object is thus at a certain distance from the antenna.

The fifth signal 74 corresponds to the sum signal applied to the microwave receiver of the three scattered signals 71 to 73. For the sake of simplicity, a uniform attenuation of all signals 71 to 73 was assumed here and the summation signal was scaled again to the values 0 to 1. Here, however, intermediate values occur on. In the signal form of the sum signal, the signal shape of the original signal 70 can still be recognized. However, the value transitions are smooth.

By means of a correlation of the sum signal 74 with the transmitted signal 70, the scattering objects can be identified. Thus, the correlation signal 75 shows the result of such correlation. For algorithmic reasons, the correlation maximum is offset by one time unit. This results in maxima of the correlation signal at the values 1, 4 and 5, which corresponds to the correlation maxima at the values 0, 3 and 4. From the correlation can thus be concluded on the time shift and thus on the position of the scattering objects. By using a long signal sequence, a very high signal-to-noise ratio is achieved, which allows very accurate measurements.

By subtracting signals generated by unwanted scattering objects, e.g. Scatters on the skin, the results for relevant litter objects, e.g. Tumors inside the breast, further increased.

FIG. 8 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. In a first step 80, a funnel-shaped support is positioned over the patient's chest. For this purpose, for example, markings on the breast are detected with a camera and brought into coincidence with a reference recording. In a second step 81, the holder is placed on the chest. In a third step 82, the holder is fixed to the chest. This is done, for example, by means of a negative pressure generated within the holder. This one will evacuated by evacuating the space between the chest and the bracket.

In a fourth step 83, a focusing or positioning of an antenna is performed. Thus, microwave radiation transmitted or received by the antenna is concentrated to a specific volume of space within the breast. This can be done either by a physical movement of one or more antennas or by the use of several phase-shifter interconnected non-movable antennas. In a fifth step 84, a microwave signal is sent into the breast by means of the antenna. The breast scatters the microwave signal. The microwave signal is received by the antenna. The fourth step 83 and fifth step 84 are repeated for a plurality of volume volumes within the breast. Finally, the received microwave signals are evaluated in a sixth step 85. This information is determined regarding the internal structure of the breast.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds in part to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the steps 80 to 82 of FIG. 8 can optionally be preceded by the steps shown here. In a first step 90 positioning of an antenna or focusing takes place. This step corresponds to step 83 of FIG. 8. In a second step 91, a microwave signal is modulated. The modulation takes place with a pseudorandom sequence (PN sequence). The use of a GSM signal or a UMTS signal or other mobile radio signal, in particular CDMA signal is possible. If it is a periodic sequence, the period length is significantly longer than twice the transmission time between the antenna and the chest. In a third step 92, the modulated microwave signal is sent to the breast. The modulated microwave signal is scattered from the breast and received by the antenna. In a fourth step 93, the scattered microwave signal is demodulated. Steps 90-93 are repeated for a variety of volumes within the breast. In a fifth step 94, the received modulated microwave signal is evaluated. By correlating the transmitted modulated microwave signal and the received modulated microwave signal, temporal resolution can be achieved. This makes it possible to differentiate between different scatter objects.

In Fig. 10, a third embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown. This embodiment corresponds in part to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the steps 80 to 82 of FIG. 8 can optionally be preceded by the steps shown here. In a first step 100, positioning of an antenna or focusing takes place. This step corresponds to step 83 of FIG. 8. In a second step 101, a first

Microwave signal sent to the chest. The first microwave signal is scattered from the chest and underlying ribs. The microwave signal scattered from the breast is received. In a third step 102, based on the received scattered first

Microwave signal determines a disorder model of the breast. This includes anatomical information, such as the typical bone density and the significant density change between the ribs and the surrounding tissue. In a fourth step 103, a second microwave signal is sent to the breast. The second microwave signal is preferably higher in frequency than the first microwave signal. It thus has a lower penetration depth, but higher possible spatial resolution. The second microwave signal is scattered from the chest. Only negligible signal components reach the ribs. The second microwave signal scattered from the breast is received. Steps 100-103 are repeated for a plurality of volumes of space within the breast. In a fifth step 104, the received second microwave signals are corrected on the basis of the perturbation model or perturbation models. In a concluding sixth step 105, the corrected second microwave signals are evaluated. Information concerning the internal structure of the breast is thus generated.

The invention is not limited to that shown

Embodiment limited. All features described above or features shown in the figures can be combined with each other in any advantageous manner within the scope of the invention.

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for examining breast tissue, comprising a funnel-shaped holder (15), a microwave transmitter (2), a microwave receiver (3), at least one antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) and a control device (4) wherein an inner side of the holder (15) receives the breast (20), wherein the antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) is arranged on an outer side of the holder (15), wherein the control device (4) the Microwave transmitter (2) and the microwave receiver (3) controls, wherein the microwave transmitter (2) by means of the antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) sends a microwave signal into the chest (20), wherein the microwave receiver (3) the microwave signal scattered from the breast (20) is received by the antenna means (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43), and wherein the control means (4) determines information concerning the breast tissue from the received microwave signal.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna device (10, 40, 41, 42, 43) on the outside of the holder (15) radially around the funnel-shaped holder (15) and / or axially along the funnel-shaped holder (15 ) and that the control device (4) controls the position of the antenna device (10, 40, 41, 42, 43) on the outside of the holder (15).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device (4) by means of the antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) emitting and / or receiving the microwave signal to at least one location in the chest (20) focused.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device further comprises an excitation device

(22) includes that the exciting means (22) mechanically load the breast (20), and that the control means (4) controls the exciting means (22).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (4) controls the excitation device (22) such that the

Microwave transmitter (2) sends the microwave signal successively in at least two different load conditions of the breast (20) in the chest (20).

6. Apparatus for the examination of objects, comprising a microwave transmitter (2), a microwave receiver (3), at least one antenna device (10) and a control device (4), wherein the control device (4) the microwave transmitter (2) and the microwave receiver (3 ), wherein the microwave transmitter (2) comprises a modulation device (5), the microwave transmitter (2) being modulated by means of the modulation device (5) Microwave signal whose modulation changes over time, generates and sends into the object to be examined, the microwave receiver (3) includes a demodulation device (6), wherein the microwave receiver (3) the scattered by the object to be examined microwave signal by means of the antenna device ( 10) and demodulated by means of the demodulation device (6), and wherein the control device (4) determines, from the modulation of the received microwave signal, information concerning the object to be examined.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the modulation is effected by means of a pseudo-random sequence.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the modulated microwave signal is a mobile radio signal, in particular a GSM signal or a UMTS signal.

9. Apparatus for examining breast tissue, comprising a microwave transmitter (2), a microwave receiver (3), at least one antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) and a control device (4), wherein the control device (4) the microwave transmitter (2) and the microwave receiver (3) controls, wherein the microwave transmitter (2) by means of

Antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43) sends a first microwave signal into the breast (20), wherein the microwave receiver (3) from the behind the breast (20) lying ribs (46) and the breast (20) scattered first microwave signal by means of the antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43), wherein the microwave transmitter (2) by means of the antenna device (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43), a second microwave signal in the chest ( 20), wherein the microwave receiver (3) receives the second microwave signal scattered from the breast (20) by means of the antenna means (10, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43), the control means (4) being based on the received first microwave signal Disturbance model determines, wherein the control device (4) receives the received second

Corrected microwave signal based on the interference model, and wherein the control device (4) based on the corrected second microwave signal determines information about the breast tissue.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first microwave signal has a lower frequency than the second microwave signal.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the device comprises a first microwave transmitter, a first microwave receiver, a second

A microwave transmitter and a second microwave receiver include that the first microwave transmitter transmits the first microwave signal that the first microwave receiver is the first microwave receiver

Microwave signal receives that the second microwave transmitter the second

Sends microwave signal, and that the second microwave receiver receives the second microwave signal.

12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the device comprises a first antenna means (40, 42) and a second antenna means (41, 43), that the first antenna means (40, 42) processes the first microwave signal, and that the second antenna means (41, 43) processes the second microwave signal.

13. A method of examining objects, wherein a modulated microwave signal is transmitted into the object to be examined, the one scattered by the object to be examined

Microwave signal is received, and wherein from the modulation of the received microwave signal information to be examined

Regarding the object.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the microwave signal is modulated by means of a pseudo-random sequence.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the modulated microwave signal is a mobile radio signal, in particular a GSM signal or a UMTS signal.