Hyderabad, 24th September 2026 - VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET), Hyderabad, has published a patent for a novel microstrip patch antenna-based design aimed at enabling the non-invasive detection of skin and breast cancer at an early stage. The research focuses on a specially designed microstrip patch antenna that uses electromagnetic waves to study differences in the properties of healthy and potentially malignant tissue. The research patent has been published and is currently at the simulation stage, with the research team working towards further validation and eventual prototype development.

The approach is being explored in response to the continuing need for simpler, accessible and cost-effective methods of detecting cancer at an early stage. Unlike conventional diagnostic approaches that may involve imaging, tissue sampling or invasive procedures, the proposed technology is designed to sense variations in tissue characteristics without cutting, inserting or penetrating an instrument into the body.

The technology uses a specially designed microstrip patch antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy towards biological tissue. Healthy and abnormal tissues can differ in their dielectric properties and conductivity. When electromagnetic energy interacts with these tissues, a portion of the energy is absorbed or scattered, while the remaining energy is reflected towards the antenna. These variations can influence the reflected electromagnetic signal. By analysing these changes, the researchers are studying how the technology can help distinguish normal tissue from abnormal or potentially malignant tissue.

The research has been developed by a team comprising Dr. K. Vidya Sagar, R. Ram Prasad, Dr. K. Vijay Chandra, Mr. Popuri Suresh Babu, Dr. D. Manju and Mr. G. Lakshmi Narayana. The researchers are currently working on the simulation model, that can examine how variations in tissue properties, including differences in dielectric characteristics associated with tissue composition and density, influence the electromagnetic response. The researchers note that normal and tumour tissues can exhibit different dielectric properties, which may provide a measurable basis for identifying tissue abnormalities.

The patent identifies improvements in bandwidth, gain, directivity and near-field penetration as key features of the design. These characteristics are intended to support high-resolution sensing of tissue abnormalities associated with early-stage skin and breast cancer.

Dr. K. Vidya Sagar, Lead Researcher and Professor, Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, said, “Cancer has become increasingly prevalent, and delayed detection can significantly affect treatment outcomes. This research is also deeply personal to me. I lost my mother to cancer, and the experience made me realise the importance of timely detection and treatment. Our motivation is to explore whether microwave sensing can eventually contribute to a more accessible, non-invasive approach to identifying tissue abnormalities at an early stage.”

The research is currently in its early stage with simulation effort; further fabrication, testing and clinical validation would be necessary to establish its effectiveness as a diagnostic technology.

VNR VJIET is steadily building an innovation and research-led academic ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on translating student and faculty research into intellectual property, entrepreneurship and real-world solutions. Its patent-first approach encourages researchers and students to think beyond academic publications and identify opportunities for technology development, while fostering an entrepreneurial culture.