Heating system with a lens applicator for 430 MHz microwave hyperthermia

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electromagnetics
• Oncology

Background:

• Hyperthermia treatment for cancer requires deep and localized heating.
• Conventional microwave applicators have limitations in heating depth and precision.
• Development of advanced applicators is crucial for effective cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a computer-controlled microwave electromagnetic (EM) heating system for hyperthermia cancer treatment.
• To investigate the heating capabilities of a novel metal plate lens applicator operating at 430 MHz.
• To assess the system's precision and stability for clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a 430 MHz metal plate lens applicator.
• Calculation of electric-field distribution within a lossy medium (saline solution phantom).
• Conducting heating experiments on a saline phantom to measure heating depth and temperature stability.
• Development of a computer-controlled system for precise temperature regulation.

Main Results:

• The lens applicator achieved a maximum heating depth exceeding 60 mm, twice that of conventional waveguide applicators.
• Experimental heating depths closely matched theoretical calculations.
• The computer-controlled system maintained temperature fluctuations within +/- 0.3 degrees C in the heating region.

Conclusions:

• The developed metal plate lens applicator system enables deep and localized microwave hyperthermia.
• The system demonstrates high precision and temperature stability, suitable for clinical use.
• This technology holds significant promise for advancing clinical hyperthermia cancer treatment.