Development of a High SAR Conformal Antenna for Hyperthermia Tumors Treatment

A light weight, conformal, flexible, and clinically relevant hyperthermia applicator for the treatment of cancerous tumors has been developed. The applicator uses microwave hyperthermia for applying homogeneous thermal distribution with improved thermal dosimetry. The design utilizes a half wavelength meander-line to feed a microstrip slot antenna. It is capable of deeper penetration, has a high SAR and adequately matched input-impedance for various tissue loading. With a compact size of 11.0 cm×15.0 cm×0.47 cm without a back-shield and 11.0 cm×15.0 cm×0.98 cm with a back-shield, the applicator is capable to overcome many of the disadvantages of traditional hyperthermia applicators. The applicator has excellent SAR (point) with a measured value of 45 mm and exhibits a uniform E-field distribution, reduced surface and backfield irradiation and improved directional irradiation.