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In this paper, we present an investigation of different artefact removal methods for ultra-wideband Microwave Imaging (MWI) to evaluate and quantify current methods in a real environment through measurements using an MWI device. The MWI device measures the scattered signals in a multi-bistatic fashion and employs an imaging procedure based on Huygens principle. A simple two-layered phantom mimicking human head tissue is realised, applying a cylindrically shaped inclusion to emulate brain haemorrhage. Detection has been successfully achieved using the superimposition of five transmitter triplet positions, after applying different artefact removal methods, with the inclusion positioned at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. The different artifact removal methods have been proposed for comparison to improve the stroke detection process. To provide a valid comparison between these methods, image quantification metrics are presented. An “ideal/reference” image is used to compare the artefact removal methods. Moreover, the quantification of artefact removal procedures through measurements using MWI device is performed.

This paper demonstrates the outcomes of a feasibility study of a microwave imaging procedure based on the Huygens principle for bone lesion detection. This study has been performed using a dedicated phantom and validated through measurements in the frequency range of 1–3 GHz using one receiving and one transmitting antenna in free space. Specifically, a multilayered bone phantom, which is comprised of cortical bone and bone marrow layers, was fabricated. The identification of the lesion’s presence in different bone layers was performed on images that were derived after processing through Huygens’ principle, the S21 signals measured inside an anechoic chamber in multi-bistatic fashion. The quantification of the obtained images was carried out by introducing parameters such as the resolution and signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR). The impact of different frequencies and bandwidths (in the 1–3 GHz range) in lesion detection was investigated. The findings showed that the frequency range of 1.5–2.5 GHz offered the best resolution (1.1 cm) and SCR (2.22 on a linear scale). Subtraction between S21 obtained using two slightly displaced transmitting positions was employed to remove the artefacts; the best artefact removal was obtained when the spatial displacement was approximately of the same magnitude as the dimension of the lesion.

In this letter, a phantom validation of a low complexity microwave imaging device operating in free space in the 1-6.5 GHz frequency band is presented. The device, initially constructed for breast cancer detection, measures the scattered signals in a multi-bistatic fashion and employs an imaging procedure based on Huygens principle. Detection has been achieved in both bone fracture lesion and bone marrow lesion scenarios using the superimposition of five doublet transmitting positions, after applying the rotation subtraction artefact removal method. A resolution of 5 mm and a signal to clutter ratio (3.35 in linear scale) are achieved confirming the advantage of employing multiple transmitting positions on increased detection capability.

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and demonstration of a heterogeneous phantom simulating human forearm having an inclusion mimicking a skin cancer. Cortical bone, adipose-muscle, and cancerous tumours are simulated at different layers of our proposed phantom. A number of combinations have been tested for tissue-equivalent dielectric properties and the final design has been selected by considering the similarity of their dielectric properties with the respective human tissues. Ultrawideband (UWB) microwave imaging methods are then applied to the phantom. The S21 parameter measurements are collected in an anechoic chamber environment and processed via Huygens principle (HP) technique. The tumour is successfully detected after applying appropriate artefact removal procedure. S21 subtraction using two sets of measurements has been employed to remove artefacts, i.e. the image of the transmitter. The ability to successfully apply HP to detect and locate a skin cancer type inclusion in a multilayerd cylindrical phantom has been proved.