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Safety assessment of ultra‐wideband antennas for microwave breast imaging
Author(s) -
De Santis Valerio,
Sill Jeff M.,
Bourqui Jeremie,
Fear Elise C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.20694
Subject(s) - computer science , ultra wideband , antenna (radio) , electronic engineering , microwave , microwave imaging , radar , breast imaging , telecommunications , engineering , mammography , medicine , breast cancer , cancer
Abstract This article deals with the safety assessment of several ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna designs for use in prototype microwave breast imaging systems. First, the performances of the antennas are validated by comparison of measured and simulated data collected for a simple test case. An efficient approach to estimating the specific energy absorption (SA) is introduced and validated. Next, SA produced by the UWB antennas inside more realistic breast models is computed. In particular, the power levels and pulse repetition periods adopted for the SA evaluation follow the measurement protocol employed by a tissue sensing adaptive radar (TSAR) prototype system. Results indicate that the SA for the antennas examined is below limits prescribed in standards for exposure of the general population; however, the difficulties inherent in applying such standards to UWB exposures are discussed. The results also suggest that effective tools for the rapid evaluation of new sensors have been developed. Bioelectromagnetics 33:215–225, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.