Breast cancer detection using non-invasive near-field microwave nondestructive testing techniques

Microwave imaging for medical applications has been of interest for many years. The physical basis for breast tumor detection with microwave imaging is the contrast in dielectric properties of normal and malignant breast tissues. The ability of microwaves to penetrate deeply inside such dielectric materials makes microwave nondestructive testing techniques attractive for interrogating such structures. Lower frequencies penetrate deeper in the breast tissue; however, the size of the waveguide sensor increases drastically at lower frequencies and consequently the resolution degrades rapidly. To overcome this dilemma, open-ended rectangular waveguide sensors loaded with a dielectric material are used to inspect tumors inside the breast. The loading of the waveguide reduces the frequency and keeps the small size of the waveguide probe (increases the penetration depth and maintains the resolution). Breast model including tumor will be inspected and the ability of utilizing loaded rectangular waveguides for breast cancer detection will be assessed.