The paper discusses the possibility of generating a pseudo-Bessel beam, with a propagation distance of several hundreds of wavelengths in microwave and millimeter frequency band, by using a radial line slot array (RLSA). A specific application for non-contact microwave detection of buried mines has been considered as test case. The design benefits of a holographic approach to assure the required aperture field distribution and makes use of an ad hoc optimization tool to control the antenna slot layout. The predicted and measured antenna behaviors show that high efficiency and polarization purity can be obtained by such a compact and flat antenna, achieving at the same time both manufacturing and setup simplicity.
-In this paper we present a simple and effective method, based on appropriate superpositions of Bessel-Gauss beams, which in the Fresnel regime is able to describe in analytic form the 3D evolution of important waves as Bessel beams, plane waves, gaussian beams, Bessel-Gauss beams, when truncated by finite apertures. One of the byproducts of our mathematical method is that one can get in few seconds, or minutes, high-precision results which normally require quite long times of numerical simulation. The method works in Electromagnetism (Optics, Microwaves,...), as well as in Acoustics.
Current methods for bladder cancer investigation involve cystoscopy, ultrasound scanning, and contrast urography, with additional information provided by cytology. These methods, although having a high detection rate, are expensive, time-consuming, invasive, and uncomfortable. Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive, non invasive, quick, and simple investigation with a high sensitivity and specificity. In this study we evaluate the use of an in vivo electromagnetic (EM) interaction as a non invasive method for detecting cancer. A clinical trial was designed and completed. The main trial target was the feasibility assessment of the novel method by comparing its results with standard cystoscopy. A physical discussion of the EM interaction with bladder cancer tissue is presented. One hundred and fourteen patients referred for cystoscopy by microscopic or gross haematuria, irritative voiding symptoms, or suspected bladder tumor at ultrasound were first submitted to EM scan by means of the TRIMprob system. Cystoscopy was performed on each patient after the TRIMprob examination. Comparison between EM and cystoscopy results provides a high level of agreement (Cohen's K = 0.77, p < 0.001). The TRIMprob performance in malignant cancer cells detection suggests that this in vivo EM waves method is also worth investigating for routine diagnostic procedures.
Aims and background
There is a need for a cost-effective method to safely reduce the number of diagnostic procedures women undergo for breast cancer. We tested a new procedure for breast cancer diagnosis based on breast tissue response to low level electromagnetic incident waves.
Methods
We tested 101 patients with suspicious palpable breast lesions detected by mammography or ultrasonography, who were scheduled to undergo an open biopsy. Using an electromagnetic field generator (tissue resonance interaction method probe [TRIMprobTM]), we passed the TRIMprobTM over the breast area and recorded the signal variation of one or more spectral lines (dB1, dB2, dB3). The results were compared with those of a control group as well as with pathology data obtained from excisional biopsy.
Results
No adverse effects of the test were observed. Pathology revealed 86 malignant breast cancers (72 invasive, 14 in situ) and 15 benign conditions. We achieved the best discrimination between normal breasts and lesions using dB1 (dB1 AUC-ROC = 0.8; dB2 AUC-ROC = 0.61; dB3 AUC-ROC = 0.76). With a specificity of 75% to 95%, the sensitivity ranged from 49% to 84%. Tumor or patient variables did not influence the results.
Conclusions
The TRIMprobTM test was able to provide some degree of discrimination between normal breast tissue and lesions but not between benign and malignant lesions. The lack of influence of patient age and tumor size on test results might be advantageous in terms of early diagnosis in young women. These preliminary results need to be verified and extended in a preclinical-stage disease setting before clinical applicability can be envisaged.
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