Portable Microwave Head Imaging System Using Software-Defined Radio and Switching Network

Head imaging plays an imperative role in the detection and localization of conditions affecting the brain, such as strokes, cancerous tumors, and hemorrhages caused by trauma. Current systems require the patient to be transported to the imaging device that increases the time taken to apply treatments, allowing the patient's condition to worsen. This paper proposes a portable microwave head imaging system that can easily be taken to the patient. The system utilizes a novel combination of a software-defined radio and solid-state switching network to collect the imaging data and operates in the frequency band of 0.85-2 GHz. It can capture input signals over a range of approximately 106 dB, which is suitable for detecting realistic brain injuries. The concept has been validated through experimental data collection and confocal image generation and was capable of producing images in less than 1 min. A simplified head phantom was developed for gathering the verification data and proved that the system was capable of locating targets with dielectric properties similar to brain tumors and bleeds. The presented design is highly accessible and achieved through being small, light, and inexpensive, which are key factors that could help save lives in time-critical medical emergencies.