A microwave method for measuring changes in lung water content: numerical simulation.

Abstract

A numerical procedure to simulate several physiological and geometrical changes occurring during development of edema and to study their effects on the sensitivity of the microwave detection method is presented. The method of solution utilizes a model which consists of a two-dimensional cross section of a thorax. The model is based on an X-ray CAT scan taken with the microwave applicators in place. The electromagnetic boundary value problem is then solved numerically using the method of moments. Numerical results are presented to show the effects of several parameters, such as the uneven water distribution in the lung, the field distribution in the aperture of the microwave transmitter, and the location of the receiver on the sensitivity of the microwave detection method. Based on these results, several suggestions are made to help optimize the sensitivity of the microwave method of measuring changes in lung water content.