A Microwave Imaging Procedure for Lung Lesion Detection: Preliminary Results on Multilayer Phantoms

Abstract

In this work, a feasibility study for lung lesion detection through microwave imaging based on Huygens’ principle (HP) has been performed using multilayer oval shaped phantoms mimicking human torso having a cylindrically shaped inclusion simulating lung lesion. First, validation of the proposed imaging method has been performed through phantom experiments using a dedicated realistic human torso model inside an anechoic chamber, employing a frequency range of 1–5 GHz. Subsequently, the miniaturized torso phantom validation (using both single and double inclusion scenarios) has been accomplished using a microwave imaging (MWI) device, which operates in free space using two antennas in multi-bistatic configuration. The identification of the target’s presence in the lung layer has been achieved on the obtained images after applying both of the following artifact removal procedures: (i) the “rotation subtraction” method using two adjacent transmitting antenna positions, and (ii) the “ideal” artifact removal procedure utilizing the difference between received signals from unhealthy and healthy scenarios. In addition, a quantitative analysis of the obtained images was executed based on the definition of signal to clutter ratio (SCR). The obtained results verify that HP can be utilized successfully to discover the presence and location of the inclusion in the lung-mimicking phantom, achieving an SCR of 9.88 dB.

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“…Depending on the desired complexity level, some phantoms are either rudimentary (fewer components/ elements/average composites) or realistic ones that include multiple tissues and external-internal structuring. The simple phantoms are based on molds of simple shapes, such as an ellipsoid for modeling the human head [77] or a cylindrical box for modeling the human chest [80] (Figs. 8a, 8b), while the more realistic ones are designed by additive manufacturing from STL files derived from MRI scans [81], [82] (Fig.…”

“…(a) Properties measurements with an open-ended coaxial probe by Keysight of an ellipsoid brain phantom [77]. (b) Containers to form a simple two-layer chest phantom for microwave lung lesion detection[80]. (c) Multi-layer with significant anatomical detail mold to be filled with liquid tissue phantoms to simulate the human brain[81].…”

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“…The aim was to investigate elliptical, asymmetric and multilayer torsos. They suggested further research for a better MWI device that can be used in clinical trials for lung imaging [ 108 ]. Another study used a human torso to detect pulmonary edema and hemorrhage using MWI.…”

Validation of a Compact Microwave Imaging System for Bone Fracture Detection

“…Different authors analyze resolution in microwave imaging of the breast and of the lungs [8], [29], [30], [31], [32], and [33]. In these studies, the targets are PEC or dielectric cylinders, with radius ranging from 5 mm to a few cm, separated by distances of the order of 50 mm.…”