Breast Cancer Detection Using Microstrip Antennas
Start Date
August 2024
End Date
August 2024
Location
ALT 206
Abstract
The purpose of our research project was to further research into detection of breast cancer using microwave frequency antennas. This would allow another option for detecting breast cancer other than performing a mammogram. The cost of a mammogram for someone without health insurance ranges from between $300-500. By using a microstrip antenna, the cost reduces substantially allowing the tests to be affordable for those who cannot afford to pay for a mammogram. As tissue becomes cancerous, the cell membranes' permittivity changes, allowing more water and therefore more ions into the cells. With the change in permeability, the conductivity of the cancerous tissue also changes. This alters the dielectric constant for the cancerous tissue, creating a detectable differential between cancerous and noncancerous tissue. Using CST software, a model was created including the different layers of the breast and their respective dielectric constants and two 2.45 GHz microstrip antennas placed on each side of the breast. Running transient simulations from 2.2 GHz to 2.6 GHz with and without a tumor included in the model proved that this form of detection works. As one antenna transmits an electromagnetic wave, the amount reflected, scattered and received by the other antenna is measured. As a result, the coupling between the two antennas is altered with the introduction of a tumor in the model. We then created a 3D breast mold to create a phantom, which includes all the different dielectric layers of the breast. Tests were run to further confirm the simulation results.
Breast Cancer Detection Using Microstrip Antennas
ALT 206
The purpose of our research project was to further research into detection of breast cancer using microwave frequency antennas. This would allow another option for detecting breast cancer other than performing a mammogram. The cost of a mammogram for someone without health insurance ranges from between $300-500. By using a microstrip antenna, the cost reduces substantially allowing the tests to be affordable for those who cannot afford to pay for a mammogram. As tissue becomes cancerous, the cell membranes' permittivity changes, allowing more water and therefore more ions into the cells. With the change in permeability, the conductivity of the cancerous tissue also changes. This alters the dielectric constant for the cancerous tissue, creating a detectable differential between cancerous and noncancerous tissue. Using CST software, a model was created including the different layers of the breast and their respective dielectric constants and two 2.45 GHz microstrip antennas placed on each side of the breast. Running transient simulations from 2.2 GHz to 2.6 GHz with and without a tumor included in the model proved that this form of detection works. As one antenna transmits an electromagnetic wave, the amount reflected, scattered and received by the other antenna is measured. As a result, the coupling between the two antennas is altered with the introduction of a tumor in the model. We then created a 3D breast mold to create a phantom, which includes all the different dielectric layers of the breast. Tests were run to further confirm the simulation results.
