Shaping and Focusing Magnetic Field in the Human Body: State-of-the Art and Promising Technologies

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Electromagnetism

Background:

• Increasing use of radio frequency (RF) magnetic fields in diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Key applications include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hyperthermia with magnetic nanoparticles, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
• Precise control of RF magnetic fields within biological tissues is crucial for enhancing clinical effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review promising biomedical applications utilizing RF magnetic fields.
• To explore the physical principles and operative procedures of these applications.
• To survey technological solutions for shaping and controlling RF magnetic field distribution in tissues.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on RF magnetic field applications in medicine.
• Focus on hyperthermia with magnetic nanoparticles and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
• Analysis of technological approaches including volume/surface coils, metamaterials, and metasurfaces.

Main Results:

• Identified key biomedical practices employing RF magnetic fields.
• Detailed the physical principles and operational aspects of selected applications.
• Cataloged various technological solutions for RF magnetic field manipulation in biological tissues.

Conclusions:

• Technological advancements in RF magnetic field shaping are critical for improving medical applications.
• Metamaterials and metasurfaces represent emerging solutions for field control.
• This review serves as a guide for physicians and engineers in this interdisciplinary field.