Modeling and measurement of lead tip heating and resonant length for implanted, insulated wires

To study implant lead tip heating because of the RF power deposition by developing mathematical models and comparing them with measurements acquired at 1.5 T and 3 T, especially to predict resonant length.

A simple exponential model and an adapted transmission line model for the electric field transfer function were developed. A set of wavenumbers, including that calculated from insulated antenna theory (King wavenumber) and that of the embedding medium were considered. Experiments on insulated, capped wires of varying lengths were performed to determine maximum temperature rise under RF exposure. The results are compared with model predictions from analytical expressions derived under the assumption of a constant electric field, and with those numerically calculated from spatially varying, simulated electric fields from body coil transmission. Simple expressions for the resonant length bounded between one-quarter and one-half wavelength are developed based on the roots of transcendental equations.

The King wavenumber for both models more closely matched the experimental data with a maximum root mean square error of 9.81°C at 1.5 T and 5.71°C at 3 T compared to other wavenumbers with a maximum root mean square error of 27.52°C at 1.5 T and 22.01°C for 3 T. Resonant length was more accurately predicted compared to values solely based on the embedding medium.

Analytical expressions were developed for implanted lead heating and resonant lengths under specific assumptions. The value of the wavenumber has a strong effect on the model predictions. Our work could be used to better manage implanted device lead tip heating.