Conformal mm-wave antennas for catheter embedded atherosclerotic plaque sensors

This contribution shows a sensor design for the intravascular differentiation of vulnerable and calcified plaques. A measurement concept based on the reflection of an oblique incident electromagnetic wave at the dielectric interface between blood and plaque is discussed. Therefore, the indispensable dielectric properties of both materials are presented. For a catheter embedded solution the sensor is optimized with respect of small geometries and a smooth cylindrical shape. The optimization and verification are performed by means of 3D electromagnetic wave simulations. Furthermore, a broadband measurement concept is presented, which provides additional information for the plaque type differentiation.