MW blood sample characterization using co-axial transmission line

Microwave Tomography (MWT) is being developed as an accurate detection of hemorrhagic strokes using microwaves. A transmission line technique is used to measure the relative permittivity of blood as a function of frequency and is presented to provide insight on an appropriate operating frequency for MWT. A response calibration method is used on a coaxial sample holder to accurately measure the scattering parameters of and characterization of liquid samples. This paper demonstrates the ability to accurately measure liquid samples by replacing the coaxial line dielectric with liquid. Experimental results from water and 99% isopropyl alcohol are compared against known values to provide verification of the coaxial airline to accurately measure blood samples in the microwave region.