Iterative 2D reconstruction algorithms for microwave active imaging systems

The definition study of a new microwave scanner using the most recent quantitative reconstruction algorithms has been performed experimentally on a true scale model in the presence of phantoms simulating a whole human body configuration. Reconstruction of such a biological cross-section inside a 60 cm cavity filled with water is possible using an operating frequency of 434 MHz. These encouraging results justify to consider the next step consisting of studying and starting the development of a prototype using a multiplexed antenna array instead of the mechanical rotating system. This step is very important for two major reasons. First, the acquisition time will be reduced to only a few seconds, making possible real trials inside the hyperthermic applicator. Second, the elimination of any mechanical movement will allow to avoid any positioning error; such errors have been shown to introduce nonnegligible perturbations on the reconstructions. Simulation studies have shown that the reconstruction of a whole body with a cell size of 1 cm will be possible by using an array of 64 transmitters/receivers elements.