Huygens Principle based Microwave Imaging for Lung Lesion Detection using Realistic Phantom

This study investigates the validation of Huygens Principle (HP)-based microwave imaging (MWI) technology’s efficacy in detecting lung lesions. Employing a multi-layered, realistic phantom, we have investigated the feasibility of this novel approach. Our research encompasses the fabrication of a realistic chest phantom with dimensions and dielectric properties that mimic those of an average human lung. A cylindrically shaped inclusion, designed to replicate the dielectric attributes of lung lesions, further enriches the setup. Measurements are conducted within an anechoic chamber, spanning frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 3 GHz. The results are compelling: the inclusion is successfully detected in reconstructed images, achieving a signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) of 9.9 dB pre-image adjustment, which notably improves to 13.4 dB post-image adjustment along with artefact removal. Additionally, image masking has been employed to highlight the boundary of the phantom and the detected inclusion. This paper highlights a successful approach for lung lesion detection using HP-based MWI, yielding a detection accuracy with less than 6% error in dimensional analysis. The findings underscore the promise of this innovative method in advancing medical imaging capabilities.