Apparatus and method for acquisition of tomographic images by microwaves

The invention consists of an apparatus and method for the detection of first-level tumour masses, pleural effusions and cysts, using electromagnetic waves in the microwave spectrum, with the advantage of speed in the diagnosis of pathologies compared to the classical techniques.

How does it work?

The instrument takes on the form of a toroid, similar to existing CT and MRI machines, but much more compact and much lighter due to its internal structure. Several antennas capable of receiving and transmitting EM waves are contained within the toroid.

The detection is carried out by varying the emission frequency of the EM waves and detecting both the parameters of the waves transmitted from each antenna to all the others, and the parameters of the waves reflected from an antenna to itself. With this procedure, the system extracts the dielectric parameters of the medium in which the waves propagate, identifying in particular any clear variation thereof. These clear variations are synonymous with barriers, membranes or variations in the composition of an organic tissue with respect to another adjacent one, which makes it possible to easily identify cysts and/or tumours.

Applications

• Tomographic imaging;
• Tumour screening.

Advantages

• Cost 10 to 1000 times lower than classic MRI equipment;
• Operating cost in electricity consumption 10 to 200 times lower;
• Operational footprint that does not require dedicated rooms;
• Diagnosis time: about 1 minute to obtain images;
• Can be used in small medical cabinets for first-level diagnostics.