Electromagnetic-thermal dosimetry comparison of the homogeneous adult and child brain models based on the SIE approach

Abstract

The results of the absorbed electromagnetic (EM) energy in brain models of adults and children due to incident plane wave of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz are presented in this paper. The specific absorption rate (SAR) in the human brain is determined using the EM model based on the surface integral equation formulation. The thermal dosimetry model is based on the form of Pennes’ equation of heat transfer in biological tissue featuring the homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. The thermal model is handled via the finite elements method. The models of a 10-year and a 5-year-old child brain, respectively, are obtained by linearly reducing the adult one. Although the anatomical accuracy of these models is low compared to MRI-based child models, they may be found useful for rapid dosimetric assessment. The models take into account age-dependent parameters of the brain tissue via total body water concept. The numerical results of the surface electric field obtained by the three brain models are compared, as well as the calculated results of the peak and average SAR and the related temperature increase.

Keywords:

• surface integral equation approach
• homogeneous human brain model
• adult and child brain
• electromagnetic model
• thermal dosimetry model
• specific absorption rate (SAR)