Enhancing Complementary Split Ring Resonators Performance for Atherosclerosis Diagnosis

This paper presents an improved complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) used as a non-invasive microwave sensor for in-vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaques. The sensor geometry was optimized on low-loss substrates to enhance the trade-off between the energy stored in the resonator and the energy radiated into the biological tissue. For positioning on the patient’s neck, the sensors were simulated in the presence of multilayer structures, and animal tissue samples were used for validation to estimate the penetration depth of the electromagnetic waves in these tissues. Finally, a three-dimensional model of the carotid artery was developed to extend the analysis beyond the tissues of the neck. The simulated results offer promising prospects for in-vivo diagnosis of carotid atherosclerotic plaques using these optimized CSRRs.