Non-Invasive Transmission Based Tumor Detection Using Anthropomorphic Breast Phantom at 2.45 GHz

Breast cancer detection using microwave imaging techniques is a widely explored research field. In this paper, we propose the development of a heterogeneous, semi-solid and stable breast phantom with skin, fat, muscle and spherical tumor inclusion models and a transmission-based sensing method for non-invasive tumor detection. The proposed breast phantom emulates the anatomical, physical and dielectric properties as human breast tissues. The dielectric properties of the breast phantom is measured using open ended coaxial slim probe from Keysight Technologies and is compared with the Nello Carrara Institute of Applied Physics (IFAC) data in the frequency range of 500 MHz - 20GHz. The S
₂₁
scattering parameter is measured and studied for a normal breast phantom and the breast phantom with tumor inclusion models representing its different growth stages using Topology Optimized Planar Antenna (TOPA) based probe. The measurements are done by using FieldFox microwave analyzer (N9918A) by Keysight Technologies. The study shows S
₂₁
amplitude variation of 2 - 12 dB for tumor inclusion models of size ranging from 4mm - 16mm diameter with respect to normal breast model. This study indicates that with further development, transmission-based methods can be used for preliminary screening of breast tumor.