Advantages and Disadvantages of Parameter Search Algorithms for Permittivity Estimation for Microwave Breast Imaging

Multiple clinical investigations of radar-based breast imaging devices have been demonstrated in recent years, including two competing commercial systems which are currently being tested in clinics. Ongoing trials include participants with both dense and non-dense breasts and the average dielectric properties of the breast can vary substantially with density. Numerous studies have shown that this normal variance in the dielectric properties of the breast between individuals can impact both the image quality and the expected sensitivity of radar-based breast imaging. This paper examines the potential to use parameter search algorithms to improve the sensitivity of radar-based breast imaging. Although these parameter search algorithms have been shown to improve image quality in a limited number of test cases, this is the first analysis of the potential impact of realistic dielectric properties estimation on the sensitivity of radar-based imaging.