High precision realtime RF-measurement system for imaging of stroke

Statistics show, that stroke is one of the main causes of death worldwide, and reliable and fast diagnosis is key to recovery. Modern medical imaging devices provide intricate detail, but lack portability and are in some cases invasive. This paper presents a multiport vector network analyzer (MPVNA) measurement system for electromagnetic tomography (EMT) — an alternative medical imaging technique that complements more established methods. The portability of the system allows stroke to be detected very soon after occurrence. The architecture of the MPVNA enables parallelization of hundreds of measurements, which supports realtime operation without compromising measurement performance. Given the high attenuation caused by the human head and the limited signal power allowed in medical applications, the system is designed to measure signals at power levels as low as −150 dBm.