Bone Tissue Chirality: A Feasibility Study in Microwave Sensing for Non-Invasive Health Assessment

In this study, the chirality parameter of bone tissue is investigated in microwave frequencies. A proof-of-concept measurement was conducted on fresh bovine bone tissue, providing evidence for the feasibility of this approach. The incorporation of the electromagnetic chirality parameter introduces a new dimension to the understanding of bone health, which complements traditional methods that focus solely on permittivity. This new approach has the potential to advance the diagnosis and treatment of bone-related diseases and injuries, and further research in this area could lead to the development of a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic tool.

I. Introduction

Microwave sensors have emerged as a promising tool for non-invasive health assessments in living tissues, offering several advantages over traditional methods such as x-rays [1], [2]. These sensors use microwave radio waves to probe the electrical properties of the tissues, providing valuable information about their composition and health. The electrical properties of a living tissue can be described by various parameters, including the dielectric constant. Over the years, researchers have developed a range of microwave sensors for bone health assessment, including transmission-based microwave sensors for measuring bone permittivity [3], ring resonator sensors for diagnosing bone fractures [4], and reflection-based sensors for bone health analysis [5], [6]. Despite these advances, there remains a need for a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of bone health. The addition of a new assessment parameter namely bone tissue chirality can open new avenues for understanding of bone health.