A Novel Discretization Procedure in the CSI-FEM Algorithm for Brain Stroke Microwave Imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Electromagnetics
• Computational methods

Background:

• Microwave imaging offers non-invasive diagnostic potential for conditions like brain stroke.
• Accurate reconstruction of dielectric properties is crucial for effective diagnosis.
• Current contrast source inversion (CSI) methods face challenges in implementation complexity and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel contrast source variable discretization for improved microwave imaging.
• To enhance the accuracy and simplify the implementation of CSI algorithms.
• To apply and evaluate the proposed method for brain stroke detection using realistic 3D models.

Main Methods:

• Combining the contrast source inversion (CSI) method with the finite element method (FEM).
• Developing and implementing a novel contrast source variable discretization technique.
• Creating a synthetic environment with modeled antennas and coaxial ports for simulations.
• Reconstructing dielectric properties of human head tissues for brain stroke imaging.

Main Results:

• The novel discretization simplifies algorithm implementation and improves accuracy of discretized quantities.
• The proposed method demonstrates better focus on the stroke region compared to the standard CSI implementation in a realistic 3D scenario.
• Performance evaluation shows comparable average results but improved localization with the new discretization within a limited permittivity range.

Conclusions:

• The novel contrast source variable discretization offers enhanced accuracy and implementation simplicity for microwave imaging.
• The method shows promise for improving the resolution and focus in brain stroke detection.
• Further research may explore extending the permittivity range for broader applicability.