Microwave Breast Screening Prototype: System Miniaturization With IC Pulse Radio

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

In this study, we report on system advancements for an ultrawideband (UWB) microwave radar prototype for early breast cancer detection. We introduce an integrated circuit (IC) pulse radio as a suitable replacement for both a bulky and expensive off-the-shelf pulse generator and a clock. To assess the system's suitability as a breast screening prototype, we compare measurements on two different experimental breast models (phantoms) with the established and previously reported prototype using off-the-shelf components and the here-introduced IC. We test both systems on a homogeneous fat-mimicking phantom with a 2-mm skin layer as well as a phantom with a 2-mm skin layer and glandular insertions, while the antennas, antenna housing, and sampling oscilloscope are the same for both systems. Additionally, we advance with the IC to higher frequencies, aiming to comply with the band intended for microwave imaging devices with medical applications. Furthermore, we compare the economic requirements of the IC and of the previously reported system by evaluating their cost and compactness. The objective of this study is to investigate if the IC pulse radio can replace bulky off-shelf components to allow us to implement the pulse generation circuitry in one flexible circuit board with the switching and antennas.