Minimum information for dielectric measurements of biological tissues (MINDER): A framework for repeatable and reusable data

Abstract

The dielectric properties of biological tissues characterise the interaction of human tissues with electromagnetic (EM) fields. Accurate knowledge of the dielectric properties of tissues are vital in EM‐based therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, and for assessing the safety of wireless devices. Despite the importance of these properties, the field has suffered from inconsistencies in reported data. The dielectric measurement process for tissues is known to be affected by both measurement confounders and clinical confounders; however, adequate metadata is often lacking in the literature. For this reason, this work proposes a standard, called Minimum Information for Dielectric Measurements of Biological Tissues (MINDER). In the MINDER model, the minimum types of raw data and metadata needed to interpret or replicate a dielectric study are identified and described. Alongside the minimum information model, a controlled vocabulary for metadata parameters is proposed. We also provide an example of this model applied to a dielectric measurement scenario on a biological tissue sample. The MINDER model enables reproducibility of measurements, ease of interpreting and re‐using data, and comparison of data across studies. Further, this standard framework will support dielectric databases, with data searchable through metadata parameters such as temperature, frequency range, tissue type, and tissue state.

Broadband lung dielectric properties over the ablative temperature range: Experimental measurements and parametric models

“…As one of the significant factors for change of dielectric properties is the dehydration of tissue, the samples were sealed in small sealed plastic containers to minimize this effect. While in vivo dielectric property characterization is ultimately desired, several studies have noted the challenges of measuring dielectric properties of tissue in vivo with invasive probes . Furthermore, in this study, only normal lung tissue was considered.…”

An Overview of Microwave Imaging for Breast Tumor Detection

“…The developed probe was also less affected by measurement technique variability. Further, Porter et al [49] observed that histology depth (defined as the depth to which the probe can detect changes in the tissue sample within the measurement uncertainty) varies with frequency, and hence, it should have been included as a con-founder in historic data sets (like Lazebnik et al) where the histology depth was taken as a constant value. In 2018, it was further noted that the probe sensing radius could be smaller than the probe radius and depended on the histology of the tissue sample [48].…”

“…In 2018, it was further noted that the probe sensing radius could be smaller than the probe radius and depended on the histology of the tissue sample [48]. MINDER (Minimum Information for Dielectric Measurements of Biological Tissues) model was developed by the team which allows to reproduce measurements, provides ease of interpreting and reusing data, and comparison of data across studies [49].…”

Development of an Anthropomorphic Phantom of the Axillary Region for Microwave Imaging Assessment

“…We took the Minimum Information for Dielectric Measurements of Biological Tissues (MINDER), proposed in Reference [ 36 ], as a guideline to collect experimental data and associated metadata. MINDER specifications indicate a systematic collection of metadata along with dielectric measurement data, in order to support a more informed sharing and re-use of dielectric data.…”