Experimental Validation on Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms of Millimeter-Wave Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes death among women; to decrease rate for this disease, early detection plays a key role. Recently, microwave imaging systems have been proposed as an alternative current techniques, but they suffer from poor resolution due low frequencies involved. In paper, first time, innovative millimeter-wave system early-stage breast and experimentally verified on different phantoms. This has potential achieve superior breasts with high volumetric percentage adipose tissue, merit overcome common misconception that millimeter-waves cannot useful penetration depths biological applications. Three phantoms were prepared according dielectric properties human ex vivo tissues in frequency range [0.5–50] GHz. Two cylindrical inclusions made by water gelatin or agar, mimicking neoplastic tissues, embedded phantom at up 3 cm. double ridge waveguides, mono-modal band equal [18–40] GHz, used synthetize linear array 24 elements 28 positions, acquiring signals Vector Network Analyzer. The images reconstructed applying Delay Sum algorithm calibrated data. feasibility new central working about 30 GHz demonstrated target capability cm within shown. presented results pave way possible use image non-superficial neoplasms breast.