Comparisons of computer simulations and experimental data for capacitive hyperthermia using different split-phantoms.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Oncology

Background:

• Capacitive hyperthermia (CHT) is clinically proven to enhance radiation therapy efficacy for various cancers.
• The precise thermal distribution induced by CHT systems in biological tissues remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate computational models of hyperthermia treatment by comparing simulation data with experimental measurements.
• To assess the feasibility of using split-phantoms for pre-clinical evaluation of capacitive hyperthermia systems.
• To investigate the heating patterns of the EHY-2030 CHT system using the D200 electrode.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the EHY-2030 capacitive hyperthermia system with the D200 electrode.
• Employed vertically and horizontally splittable phantoms simulating muscle and fat tissues.
• Measured temperature-time curves and captured thermal images during heating.
• Performed computational field simulations using Sim4Life and compared with experimental data.

Main Results:

• A heating of 3.6°C in 6 minutes at 1 cm depth was achieved with 75W power in a muscle-equivalent phantom.
• A 1 cm fat layer reduced temperature rise by ~38% up to 8.5 cm depth.
• Simulations showed an average difference of 25% (homogeneous) and 43% (inhomogeneous) compared to measured temperature rise.

Conclusions:

• Pilot study data validates CHT modeling for the EHY-2030 system with the D200 electrode.
• Findings provide guidance for predicting heating in clinical applications and exploring non-thermal effects.
• Further research is recommended for different electrode sizes and phantom geometries.