Compact self-grounded Bow-Tie antenna design for an UWB phased-array hyperthermia applicator

Area of Science:

• * Biomedical Engineering
• * Electromagnetic Engineering
• * Medical Physics

Background:

• * Hyperthermia treatment aims to improve heat delivery to deep-seated tumors.
• * Ultra-wideband (UWB) systems offer potential for enhanced thermal therapy.
• * Novel antenna designs are crucial for effective UWB hyperthermia applicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To design and validate a novel self-grounded Bow-Tie antenna for UWB hyperthermia.
• * To optimize antenna performance through water bolus shaping and dielectric layers.
• * To assess the antenna's suitability for integration into phased-array applicators and its MR compatibility.

Main Methods:

• * Design of a self-grounded Bow-Tie antenna for UWB operation (0.43-1 GHz).
• * Antenna immersion in a water bolus with optimized shaping and dielectric layers.
• * Performance evaluation using UWB impedance matching, transmission capability, and effective field size.
• * Experimental validation using a muscle-like phantom and MR image acquisition.

Main Results:

• * The UWB Bow-Tie antenna achieved excellent impedance matching and transmission characteristics.
• * Radiation characteristics were enhanced by water bolus shaping and dielectric layers.
• * Experimental results closely matched simulation predictions.
• * Negligible MR image distortion confirmed the antenna's MR compatibility.

Conclusions:

• * The novel self-grounded Bow-Tie antenna is a promising element for UWB phased-array hyperthermia applicators.
• * The design facilitates improved heat delivery to deep tumors.
• * The antenna's MR compatibility allows for seamless integration into MRI-guided thermal therapy.