A New Multi-Static System for Microwave Breast Cancer Imaging: Preliminary Design

Experimental microwave imaging systems for breast cancer diagnosis typically employ multi-static antenna configurations. In such systems, large number of antennas, which are positioned around breast at fixed locations, are driven by N-port microwave switching matrix or a N-port vector network analyzer. In either case, multi-static scattering parameters measurements required for breast imaging can be completed very rapidly due to electronic switching between ports. This rapidness is in fact very advantageous from patient perspective. In this work, we investigate design consideration for a cylindrical microwave breast scanner and present a preliminary design that uses low-cost and low-loss dielectric materials for impedance matching between the breast and the antennas.