At the University of Oulu in Finland, researchers are taking a major step toward bringing advanced health monitoring directly to the patient. By leveraging microwave technology in portable and wearable formats, the team is demonstrating how diagnostic research can move beyond specialised hospitals and into everyday care environments.
Imagine a bra that supports early breast cancer detection, a leg sleeve that flags emerging blood clots, or a lightweight helmet capable of monitoring the impact of radiation therapy. These are not distant visions but prototypes emerging from the 6GESS research programme. Under the lead of Mariella Särestöniemi, together with Teemu Myllylä, Jarmo Reponen, Mikael von und zu Fraunberg, Juha Nikkinen, Sami Myllymäki and their students, the group is developing solutions that make advanced sensing accessible in both primary care and remote regions.
For a country like Finland, where long distances can deter participation in diagnostics, the impact could be significant. “Instead of travelling hundreds of kilometres for specialised examinations, individuals could undergo preliminary scans at their local health centre,” Särestöniemi explains. “This not only improves early detection but also strengthens regional equity in healthcare.”
Safe, fast and wearable
Särestöniemi’s core focus is the use of microwaves in wireless health applications. Microwave sensing works by analysing how radio signals behave as they pass through different tissues. Anomalies, such as tumours, alter the signal, providing clinically relevant data. The approach uses low-power signals, making the technology both safe and efficient.
Because components are compact and cost-effective, the technology is particularly well-suited for portable or wearable devices. “It becomes feasible to design equipment that can be deployed in health centres or even ambulances,” she notes. Measurements take only nanoseconds, enabling rapid, effortless screenings.
Breast cancer screening with tumour-detecting bras
Microwave diagnostics may offer a complementary option alongside mammography, especially for women who avoid screening due to discomfort or travel barriers. Traditional mammography also faces limitations in detecting tumours in all breast types.
Microwave-based devices for breast cancer detection are already undergoing clinical trials across Europe. Särestöniemi aims to expand these efforts with wearable “monitoring bras” that can be used for quick, preliminary checks at smaller health facilities. The bra would be worn briefly, capture the necessary data, and automatically forward the results to the clinician. “The process should feel as simple as taking a blood pressure measurement,” she says.
Another prototype under development is a leg sleeve for post-surgery patients, designed to detect early signs of thrombosis at home, offering a practical way to prevent complications through frequent self-monitoring.
Affordable frequent monitoring
One of the newest and most anticipated innovations is a lightweight helmet for monitoring the effects of radiation therapy in brain tumour patients. Frequent assessments are essential to determine whether treatment is effective or needs adjustment, but current imaging modalities are either costly or expose patients to harmful radiation.
The microwave-based helmet could support more regular monitoring without these drawbacks. Preliminary studies indicate that the technology can detect even small changes in tumour size. “Radiation therapy specialists are enthusiastic about this possibility, as it allows for safe, frequent follow-up,” Särestöniemi reports.
Realistic models for real-world use
To ensure applicability across diverse patient populations, the research team tests the technology using realistic, eco-friendly tissue models. These models account for differences in body composition. For example, the varying proportions of glandular and fatty tissue in breasts, which significantly affect tumour detectability. The models can be produced quickly from everyday cooking ingredients and disposed of sustainably.
Although still in the research phase, many microwave-based health applications are moving steadily toward clinical readiness. If ongoing trials continue to show positive results, these devices could find their way into health centres within the next ten years. “Microwave technology shows strong promise and is already being evaluated in European hospitals,” Särestöniemi emphasises. “The potential to enable safe, affordable and decentralised diagnostics is substantial.”
