Sensitivity analysis on imaging the calcaneus using microwaves

TL;DR

This study evaluates the potential of microwave tomography with a 16-antenna array at 1.3GHz to detect changes in dielectric properties of the calcaneus, indicating bone quality variations.

Contribution

It introduces a sensitivity analysis framework for microwave imaging of the calcaneus, highlighting key parameters affecting detection feasibility.

Findings

High sensitivity to tissue and bone conductivity variations.

Feasible detection of dielectric property changes in bone.

Global and local sensitivity analyses support detection potential.

Abstract

The bone quality is asociated with changes in its dielectric properties (permittivity and conductivity). The feasibility of detecting changes in these properties is evaluated using a tomographic array of 16 monopole antennas with z-polarized microwaves at 1.3GHz. The direct problem was evaluated computationally with the Finite-Difference-Time-Domain (FDTD) method. Local and global sensitivity analysis were considered for identifiyng the parameters that most affect the detection. We observed that the direct problem is highly sensitive to the conductivity of the tissues that surround the calcaneus and the one of the calcaneus itself. Global and local sensitivity methods have shown evidences for feasible detection of variation in dielectric properties of bone.