Ray Simpkin

Imaging of 3-D Dielectric Objects Using Far-Field Holographic Microwave Imaging Technique

This paper describes the working principle of a three-dimensional (3-D) holographic microwave imaging (HMI) method for imaging small inclusion embedded in a dielectric object. Using published dielectric properties of various materials, a 3-D mathematical model is developed under the MATLAB environment to validate the HMI on various dielectric objects. Results indicate that the 3-D HMI has an ability to produce a 3-D image and detect small inclusions embedded within a dielectric object. Several potential applications of the 3-D HMI method includes biological tissues imaging, security screening and packaged food evaluation.

3D breast cancer imaging using holographic microwave interferometry

Due to the critical need for complementary or alternative modalities to current X-ray mammography for early-stage breast cancer detection, a 3D holographic microwave imaging array (HMIA) system has been developed. This work describes how 3D images can be reconstructed from the 3D breast intensity distribution using holographic microwave and aperture synthesis imaging techniques. The obtained 3D simulation results have demonstrated the feasibility and superiority of detecting small malignant breast tumours using the proposed random antenna array. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed technique has the potential to detect tumours of various sizes at various locations.

Three-Dimensional Far-Field Holographic Microwave Imaging: An Experimental Investigation of Dielectric Object

This work presents experimental investigations of three-dimensional (3-D) far-field holographic microwave imaging (HMI) method for diagnosing inclusions within dielectric objects, and in particular, it relates to electromagnetic imaging to reconstruct dielectric properties of inhomogeneous, lossy bodies with arbitrary shape. The apparatus is designed for operation at a single frequency of 12.6 GHz. 16 antennas are located on a 2-D array plane which is placed under the object in the far-field region, with air in the space between the antenna array and the object. Experimental results indicate that the 3-D HMI system has the ability to produce a 3-D image of multimedia dielectric object and detect small inclusions embedded within an object. The invention has potential application to tissue imaging.

Investigation of Antenna Array Configurations Using Far - Field Holographic Microwave Imaging Technique

Biomedical imaging has played an important role in identifying and monitoring the effectiveness of the current state of the art treatments for many diseases. The authors recently proposed a novel single-transmitter-multiple-receiver holographic microwave imaging (HMI) technique for imaging small inclusion embedded in a dielectric object which has potential application in medical diagnostics. HMI image quality depends highly on the antenna baseline difference, in order words, the antenna array configuration. Different antenna arrays produce different quality of dielectric images by using HMI imaging algorithm. This paper investigates the antenna array configurations effect on image quality by using HMI imaging approach. Three configurations including spiral, random and regularly spaced arrays are presented. Both simulated and experimental results are obtained and compared to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of antenna arrays to the HMI technique. The results show that the proposed spiral and random array configurations have an ability to produce high-resolution images at significantly lower costs than regularly spaced arrays.

Holographic Microwave Imaging Array for Early Breast Cancer Detection

This paper presents a new Holographic Microwave Imaging Array (HMIA) technique for early breast cancer detection, which is based on microwave holography and aperture synthesis imaging techniques. Using published data for the dielectric properties of normal breast tissues and malignant tumours, a two-dimensional (2D) mathematical model was developed under the MATLAB environment to demonstrate the proposed imaging technique. The computer simulations showed that tumours as small as 2 mm in diameter anywhere within the breast could be successfully detected. The significant imaging improvement was achieved by optimizing antenna array configurations to offer the best possibility of detecting tumours of various size, shape and position.Copyright

Antenna Array Configuration in Holographic Microwave Imaging

Biomedical imaging has played an important role in identifying and monitoring the effectiveness of the current state of the art treatments for many diseases. We recently proposed a novel holographic microwave imaging array (HMIA) technique for lesion detection. One of the most important considerations of this technique is the antenna array configuration. This paper demonstrates investigation of using various antenna array configurations to generate a high-resolution microwave image by using the HMIA technique. Both simulation and experimental results are obtained and compared using spiral, random and regularly spaced array configurations to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of antenna arrays to the HMIA technique. The results show that the proposed spiral and random array configurations have the ability to produce high-resolution images at significantly lower cost compared to regularly spaced array. The potential biomedical imaging applications of the research findings would be breast cancer detection and/or brain stroke detection.Copyright

Three-Dimensional Holographic Microwave Imaging Array: Experimental Investigation of Tumour Detection in Breast Phantom

This paper extends our previously presented two-dimensional (2-D) Holographic Microwave Imaging Array (HMIA) system for early breast tumour detection to three-dimensional (3-D) imaging, and demonstrates its efficacy using experimental data obtained with a breast phantom. This work describes an experimental setup to collect data to form a 3-D breast image. The obtained experimental result proves that the 3-D HMIA system has potential to become a screening and diagnostic tool that could supplement clinical breast examination through its sensitivity, quantitative record storage, ease-of-use, and inherent low cost.Copyright