A novel fluid pump system for contrast enhanced microwave cancer detection

A contrast-enhanced microwave radar imaging method using a novel flowing system setup is proposed in this paper. The contrast in electrical properties between dense breast tissues and malignant tissues is low. Therefore, tumour detection using microwaves can be a particularly challenging task. To overcome this problem, we are investigating a radar imaging technique based on a localized contrast enhancement using flowing setup which emulates heart blood flow. The investigation is performed to detect changes during continuous liquids flow. The study is based on simplified phantom measurements. Our preliminary proof of concept shows that 10% changes in the effective permittivity of the tumour is easily detectable by radar techniques using the pumping system. The presented results are promising and highlight the sensitivity of contrast enhanced imaging with a blood flow system.