Flexible Stepped Impedance Resonance Antenna for Early Breast Cancer Detection.

Breast cancer is affecting almost 17 million people worldwide by 2020. In order to detect cancerous tumours, earlier stage diagnosis is identified to be the effective ways to alleviate the cancer risk. Practically, x-rays mammography, diagnostic ultrasound and tomography are among the common technology used in tumour detection. However, limitation arises where some breast cancer is not detected due to poor malignant/benign cancer tissue contrast. As an alternative, microwave radiation techniques are introduced due to inexpensive, accurate 3D imaging data, and comfortable to the patient. Based on these advantages, in this proposed research paper, microwave radiation antenna techniques are proposed. Antenna radiating patch is designed from coplanar waveguide with stepped impedance resonance (SIR) on flexible substrate, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The antenna design is placed to be in contact with breast skin to enhance the detection sensitivity. The proposed antenna covers the front section of the breast for different tumour cases locations, which detect the parameter changes respectively. Comparison between normal tissue and tumour tissue performance in terms of magnetic field distribution, electric field, current density and directivity performance has been analysed using Computer Simulation Technology software (CST™). The research proposed a coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed slot antenna that able to detect cancerous tissue modelled by a phantom breast. Results of simulations indicate good signs of developing the design into a real microwave imaging system in a short time coming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]