Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of microwave scanning of biological tissue, which enable the measurement of biological tissue response to microwave signals without other unwanted signals, hence removing the need for suboptimal filtering techniques. The collected signals may be conditioned using novel techniques. Also disclosed are systems and methods of image reconstruction of biological tissues, which provide quantitative images related to the electrical properties of the tissues with a repeatable and stable technique.

Abstract: Embodiments of endfire aperture-based traveling-wave antennas are described. For example, an embodiment, including a Vivaldi antenna, may have a director incorporated into the aperture region of the antenna to provide enhanced radiation directivity. The director may be a shaped dielectric that interacts with an electromagnetic field to reduce the divergence of the resultant beam as it exits the antenna. Additional dielectric substrate layers may be stacked on both sides of the antenna in order to balance the dielectric loading between the different conductors. The dielectric substrates may also eliminate contact between the antenna metallization and the lossy environment. Certain disclosed Vivaldi antennas may be used in tissue screening applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of endfire aperture-based traveling-wave antennas are described. For example, an embodiment, including a Vivaldi antenna, may have a director incorporated into the aperture region of the antenna to provide enhanced radiation directivity. The director may be a shaped dielectric that interacts with an electromagnetic field to reduce the divergence of the resultant beam as it exits the antenna. Additional dielectric substrate layers may be stacked on both sides of the antenna in order to balance the dielectric loading between the different conductors. The dielectric substrates may also eliminate contact between the antenna metallization and the lossy environment. Certain disclosed Vivaldi antennas may be used in tissue screening applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that provide for surface estimation of an object. In particular, the surface estimation can be determined with little or no a priori information regarding the position or topography of the object within a given volume. In select embodiments, the systems and methods can be used for microwave imaging, and particularly for estimating breast surfaces during the imaging process.