Enhanced Breast Cancer Detection Using Microwave Imaging with Patch Antenna Arrays and Delay-and-Sum Reconstruction

This study investigates the application of microwave imaging for breast cancer detection, focusing on the use of a patch antenna array to enhance tumor identification. To simulate biological tissues, we designed a custom breast phantom consisting of specialized gels that mimic the dielectric properties of the human breast. Additionally, hydrogel balls immersed in water were used to represent tumors, providing a realistic test environment. We evaluated the effectiveness of both four-element and six-element patch antenna arrays in detecting the presence of tumors, comparing their performance in terms of sensitivity and resolution. The results demonstrated that while the four-element antenna array provided limited visibility of the tumors, the six-element array significantly improved detection capabilities, allowing for clearer imaging of the tumor locations. To reconstruct the microwave images, we employed the Delay-and-Sum (DAS) algorithm, which enhanced the spatial resolution and contrast of the images, facilitating more accurate tumor identification. The improved image quality obtained with the six-element array suggests that antenna configuration plays a crucial role in the efficacy of microwave imaging for breast cancer detection. This study underscores the potential of microwave imaging as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and promising technique for early breast cancer diagnostics, with significant implications for clinical applications.