Contrast agent based tumour detection by ultra-wideband radar: A model approach

For the detection of tumours the application of a contrast agent to visualize the vascularization dynamic is common praxis in numerous imaging modalities, e.g. MRI or biomedical optics. Due to the high vascularization of several types of tumours, its contrast agent concentration exceeds the concentration in neighbouring tissue. Thus, the dielectric properties of the contrast agent will influence the tumour´s dielectric properties and therefore the object´s reflection coefficient. Furthermore, the vascularization dynamic lies in the time range of minutes. All this encourages us to pursue the detection of tumours by UWB radar, utilizing the change in dielectric properties of the tumour over time by injection of an appropriate contrast agent into the vascular system.