The effects of background contrast on conformal mesh microwave breast imaging

We have developed a prototype saline-coupled microwave breast imaging system with a non-contacting monopole antenna array. We have demonstrated in simulation and phantom experiments that the detection of internal features can be enhanced as the parameter reconstruction mesh approaches the exact breast perimeter. However, in the case of a homogeneous breast phantom we have also observed a centrally located artifact in some recovered images which could be interpreted as a false positive detection in an actual patient examination. Simulation results presented here illustrate that if the electrical property contrast between the background medium and breast is reduced, the conformal meshing approach can be used successfully with only a minimal central artifact while retaining the improved inclusion detection characteristics associated with the conformal mesh technique.