Novel device for microwave cancer detection

• Main Author: Goh, Chye Ying.
• Other Authors: Tan Soon Yim
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/18061
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women and early detection leads to earlier treatment and improve survival rates. As the dominating screening technique X-ray mammography has its limitations, microwave imaging becomes the alternative way for breast cancer detection. This project introduces a novel device for microwave breast cancer detection using a flanged parallel-plate waveguide probe. This method is based on detecting the dielectric contrast between the malignant tumor and the surrounding healthy tissues. The tumor scatters the signal reflected back from the probe. The backscattered signals received in the form of S parameters have resonating characteristics in the presence of the tumor. The location and size of the tumor can also be derived from the measurements. Simulations using the HFSS software show good return loss within a useful microwave bandwidth. Experimental validations on breast mimicking phantom material are also performed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed probe for detecting the presence of a tumor.