A Robotic System for Hyperthermia Treatments of Chest Wall Recurrence: Preliminary Simulation Results

A robotically controlled prototype microwave system for hyperthermia treatments of chest wall recurrence is introduced. In this system, the superficial hyperthermia applicator is controlled by a robotic arm. Two candidate applicators are chosen as the RF applicator: a 10cm by 10cm rectangular waveguide operated on 915MHz and an Archimedes spiral antenna with 4.572cm radius operated on 433MHz. Electromagnetic numerical simulations are performed by the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, and the bioheat transfer equation models the heating patterns generated by these applicators. The patient models in these simulations are derived from CT images, where a simulated tumor layer is inserted into the computer model. Simulation results show that these applicators can produce targeted heating with in the tumor region and that each applicator possesses a specific advantage for heating a particular tumor geometry