Diagnosis of subdural and intraparenchymal intracranial hemorrhage using a microwave based detector

ABSTRACT A novel method for identifying and localizing brain hemorrhage is presented. This method useselectromagnetic waves in the microwave and RE region and a modified algorithm previously usedfor the estimation of the angle of arrival of radar signals. Results are presented applying thisdevice for detecting subdural and intraparenchymal hemorrhages in anesthetized pig.Keywords: dielectrics, permithvity, brain, hemorrhage, subdural, intraparenchymal, stroke,hematoma, microwave, signature I .0 INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability among young adults[1]. In themilitary, it is one of the leading causes of death among combat wounded who have alreadyreached medical care[2, 3]. Stoke is another brain injury but is not related to trauma. However, itis the third leading cause of death among all patients in the U.S.[4] Common to all three diseasestates is the importance of identifying brain hemorrhage. The presence of blood is a clinicallyominous sign. Untreated, it can cause a rapid neurologic deterioration that can culminate indeath. Thus, brain hemorrhage demands emergent medical intervention and includesconsideration of neurosurgical intervention. Clearly, the sooner hemorrhage is identified, thebetter the opportunity for improved outcome.Traditional methods for identifying brain hemorrhage have been clinical neurologic examinationfollowed by medical imaging. Although examination is very helpful in raising the suspicion ofhemorrhage, it cannot diagnose with certainty the presence of blood. For that reason, patients inwhom there is a reasonable suspicion of intracranial hemorrhage, undergo imaging with either CTor MRI. These devices have the advantages of being noninvasive, highly specific and verysensitive. Unfortunately, they suffer from being large, require significant operating energy and are* Correspondence: Email: g1ingusuhs.miI, Telephone: 301-295-3140; Fax: 301-295-2200