Abstract
Purpose: Investigation into the feasibility of a circular array of dipole antennas to deposit RF-energy centrally in the neck as a function of: (1) patient positioning, (2) antenna ring radius, (3) number of antenna rings, (4) number of antennas per ring and (5) distance between antenna rings.
Materials and Methods: Power absorption (PA) distributions in realistic, head and neck, anatomy models are calculated at 433 MHz. Relative PA distributions corresponding to different set-ups were analysed using the ratio of the average PA (aPA) in the target and neck region.
Results: Enlarging the antenna ring radius from 12.5 cm to 25 cm resulted in a ∼21% decrease in aPA. By changing the orientation of the patients with respect to the array an increase by ∼11% was obtained. Increase of the amount of antenna rings led to a better focussing of the power (1 → 2/3: ∼17%). Increase of the distance between the antenna rings resulted in a smaller (more target region conformal) focus but also a decreased power penetration.
Conclusions: A single optimum array setup suitable for all patients is difficult to define. Based on the results and practical limitations a setup consisting of two rings of six antennas with a radius of 20 cm and 6 cm array spacing is considered a good choice providing the ability to heat the majority of patients.
Notes
Notes
1. FDTD program developed at TNO, The Hague, The Netherlands Citation[10], Citation[11].