On the Dielectric Characterization of Biological Samples for Microwave Imaging Reconstruction

Dielectric characteristics of tissues can be useful to develop new therapies and diagnostics through microwave imaging reconstruction. For accurate measurements, dielectric testing probe needs to be placed inside the tissue. This maximizes the contact between the probe-end and the tissue for better results. In practice, tissue samples may not always have enough depth for probe placement. This paper presents a study using the finite integration technique (FIT)-based 3D electromagnetic full-wave simulations to investigate the feasibility of a slim-form probe placed on top of the tissue (zero insertion depth). Complex permittivity of the biological tissue samples was calculated using the simulation results to match the tissue’s characteristics based on a previously proposed mathematical model. Overall, very good agreement was observed between the analytical and calculated dielectric characteristics of biological tissues up to 8 GHz frequency.