Microwave bone imaging: a preliminary scanning system for proof-of-concept

[摘要] This Letter introduces a feasibility study of a scanning system for applications in biomedical bone imaging operating in the microwave range 0.5–4 GHz. Mechanical uncertainties and data acquisition time are minimised by using a fully automated scanner that controls two antipodal Vivaldi antennas. Accurate antenna positioning and synchronisation with data acquisition enables a rigorous proof-of-concept for the microwave imaging procedure of a multi-layer phantom including skin, fat, muscle and bone tissues. The presence of a suitable coupling medium enables antenna miniaturisation and mitigates the impedance mismatch between antennas and phantom. The three-dimensional image of tibia and fibula is successfully reconstructed by scanning the multi-layer phantom due to the distinctive dielectric contrast between target and surrounding tissues. These results show the viability of a microwave bone imaging technology which is low cost, portable, non-ionising, and does not require specially trained personnel. In fact, as no a-priori characterisation of the antenna is required, the image formation procedure is very conveniently simplified.

[学科分类] 肠胃与肝脏病学

[关键词] microwave imaging;medical image processing;image reconstruction;phantoms;bone;skin;fats;muscle;data acquisition;synchronisation;microwave antennas;frequency 0.5 GHz to 4 GHz;image formation procedure;portable nonionising imaging;microwave bone imaging technology;distinctive dielectric contrast;image reconstruction;fibula;tibia;three-dimensional image;impedance mismatch;antenna miniaturisation;bone tissues;muscle;fat;skin;multilayer phantom;synchronisation;accurate antenna positioning;antipodal Vivaldi antennas;fully automated scanner;data acquisition time;mechanical uncertainties;biomedical bone imaging;proof-of-concept;preliminary scanning system