Design of Rectangular Slotted-Patch Antenna Array-Sensor for Breast-Tumor Detection

In this work, a slotted rectangular microstrip patch antenna-array-sensor is proposed for breast tumor detection operating in Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency band at 5.8 GHz. To increase the sensitivity and better coverage region, a 14 antenna-array with overall size 0.96 g 2.5 g has been developed instead of a single element. To excite each antenna element, a 1:4 power divider is employed in corporate feeding with microstrip technology. To acquire the conforming ability on hemispherical surface, the antenna array sensor is realized on RT Duroid 5880 of thickness 0.508 mm. A monostatic radar-based technique using microwave signals is used to detect the contrast between healthy and malignant tissues. Initially, the sensors performance has been evaluated over a multi-layered breast equivalent phantom comprising skin and fat layers along with tumor. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis is conducted to assess the variations in the biological tissues of the breast equivalent phantom, distinguishing between healthy and malignant tissues. Also, experimental results reveal that the 14 array sensor provides improved sensitivity, gain, and directional energy delivery, enabling better detection of tumors at varying sizes and depths.