Numerical simulation of annular-phased arrays of dipoles for hyperthermia of deep-seated tumors

The authors have used the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions from an annular-phased array of eight dipole antennas coupled through water ´boluses´ in anatomically based three-dimensional models of the human body. They evaluated the effect of tapered bolus chambers, frequency (100-120 MHz), dipole length (17-30 cm), and phase and amplitude of power to the various dipoles on the ability to focus energy in the region of deep-seated tumors in the prostate and the liver. Assuming tumor conductivity and permittivity to be similar or slightly higher than surrounding normal tissues, calculations indicate that adjustment of the noted parameters should result in considerable improvement in focusing of SAR distributions in tumor-bearing regions. If such calculations can be shown to correctly predict empirical measurements from complex inhomogeneous (although not necessarily anatomically correct) phantoms, they may be useful for hyperthermia treatment planning based on patient-specific anatomic models.