Abstracts Engineering

Dielectric Characterization of Bone Using Ultra Wide Band Microwave Transmission Probe

by Abhinav Singh

The body has the capability of reabsorbing and generating new bone throughout life. Bone remains healthy as long it maintains the equal amount of old and new bones. Bone loss is occurred when the old bone absorbed is more and new bone created is less. Osteoporosis is a very common bone disease among men and women in their later years. Bones are more prone to breaking and vertebral compression can some time lead to fractures which can be painful and restrict movement. Approximately 50% of female over the age of fifty may experience a femur, wrist, or vertebrae (spinal bone) fracture at some point in life. The much more frequent type of fracture is of the spine. Computerized tomography (CT) scan is widely used to measure bone density and discover whether the bones are prone to Osteoporosis. CT scans uses X-rays which create ionizing radiation, still the chances of developing fatal cancer are very less. Although according to recent studies, this type of radiation can harm human DNA and increase the risk of cancer. When doing imaging tests, doctors are generally advised to utilize the least amount of radiation possible. Some of the doctors urge to avoid imaging exams unless it is necessary and there is a clear medical benefit. We use ultra-wide band microwave transmission-based probes to determine dielectric characterization of human bone and at the same time overcome numerous constraints associated with the reflection-based dielectric probes. The results of dielectric properties will help perceive bone density.