Numerical Modelling of the Human Body under Electromagnetic Exposure—A Review

Abstract

The numerical evaluation of the specific absorption rate (SAR) and the temperature changes produced upon exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiation are the key physical quantities which determine the bioeffects on the human body. This information is also very critical in medical applications of EM energy like hyperthermia treatment of cancer. The literature is replete with different numerical methods for the calculation of EM energy absorbed in both simple as well as complex models of the human body. These methods involve the solution of Maxwell's equations in either differential or integral form. An estimate of the EM energy is not sufficient information to predict the physiological effects on the human body. It is critical to have a knowledge of the temperature increase produced as a result of the absorption of EM energy. The bioheat equation is solved numerically in detailed inhomogeneous thermal models of the human body which should ideally be identical to the EM model.

This paper discusses several numerical methods available for the calculation of the detailed distribution of SAR and temperature in the human body. Emphasis is placed on the methods for the more complex 3-D models rather than on the simplified 2-D models for individual cross sections of the human body.

Indexing terms:

• Numerical modelling
• Human body
• Thermal modelling