Realistic numerical head model with tissues modeled using fourth-order Debye to test microwave systems for head imaging

Anatomically realistic numerical brain phantom is built using MRI images. The phantom considers the frequency dispersive properties of the head biological tissues. To that end, a fourth-order Debye model is derived and included in the numerical model over the band from 0.5 GHz to 2.5 GHz, which is widely used in microwave-based head imaging as a reasonable compromise between penetration and resolution. The model is created using a combination of Matlab and CST Microwave Studio from MRI slices of a real patient. The head phantom is comprised of a three-dimensional grid of 256×256×128 cubic voxels where the size of each voxel is 1.1 mm× 1.1 mm× 1.1 mm.