A simplified first-order reconstruction algorithm for microwave tomography

A first-order reconstruction algorithm for microwave tomographic imaging has been developed considering the wave nature of the probing signal. The algorithm has been simplified by neglecting mutual interaction terms. The traditional ray theory which is successfully applied in X-ray and ultrasound tomography, is totally inadequate to explain different electromagnetic phenomena, for example, scattering, diffraction and boundary reflections. A beam concept has been introduced in developing the algorithm. The results of applying the algorithm on a small biological model containing bone, muscle and muscle-like materials have been extremely encouraging indicating the possibility of development of a microwave imaging scheme. The image, however, at present is not as perfect as it should have been from clinical point of view, most probably due to the simplifying assumptions made in developing the algorithm.