Experimental Evaluation of Thin Bone Fracture Detection Using Microwave Imaging
Santos, K. C.
Experimental Evaluation of Thin Bone Fracture Detection Using Microwave Imaging, Proc European Conference on Antennas and Propagation - EuCap, Madrid, Spain, Vol. , pp. - , April, 2022.
Digital Object Identifier: 10.23919/EuCAP53622.2022.9769388.
Abstract
Microwave imaging is a promising candidate modality for the detection of fractures in superficial bones. We propose a simple dedicated experimental setup and use it to evaluate experimentally the feasibility of detection and location of thin transversal fractures in an animal bone. A single small Vivaldi antenna scans the bone along its length in two longitudinal planes, and collects the monostatic scattered fields in the 8.3-11.1 GHz frequency range. The image is reconstructed using a wave migration algorithm. Tests were carried on an ex-vivo animal leg bone with an induced transversal fracture. The results showed that transversal bone fractures can be detected down to 0.35 mm thickness. The system is attractive for a practical application because it is contactless, operated in air, non-ionizing, simple and comfortable for the patient. It can be used e.g. by first responders in the field, or in low-income settings.