Improved microwave medical imaging using virtual antenna array

Abstract

An improved microwave imaging technique for medical imaging purposes is presented. In this approach, a spatial statistical technique is utilized to model the received signals in a multistatic array. The received signals in other locations are estimated based on the obtained statistical model to create a virtual array. A frequency-based imaging algorithm, which assumes the relation between the scattered signals outside and inside the imaged domain follows Bessel function of the first kind, is applied to the calculated signals from the virtual array to find the location of target. The proposed method is tested and verified in simulations, using realistic torso model and metamaterial antennas. The obtained results show that the image quality and detection accuracy can be significantly improved by applying the proposed virtual array concept to the imaging algorithm.