Ultrasound applicators for interstitial thermal coagulation

Direct-coupled (DC) and catheter-cooled (CC) ultrasound applicator configurations were evaluated for high-temperature ultrasound interstitial thermal therapy (USITT) using computer simulations, acoustic beam measurements, and in vivo temperature measurements. The DC devices consist of 2.2-mm diameter tubular ultrasound transducers encapsulated within a thin biocompatible plastic coating, which can be inserted directly into the tissue. The CC devices incorporate 1.5-mm diameter tubular transducers, which are inserted within 2.2to 2.4-mm diameter plastic implant catheters and require an integrated water-cooling scheme. Simulated transient temperature profiles and cumulative thermal dose distributions indicate that each of these applicator configurations can produce target temperatures greater than 50 degrees C and corresponding thermal doses greater than 300 to 600 equivalent minutes at 43 degrees C (EM(43 degrees C)) within 5 min at a radial depth of 1 to 1.5 cm in moderately perfused tissues. Theoretical investigations of air-cooling implemented within DC applicators demonstrated a significant enhancement of thermal penetration compared with non-cooled DC applicators, thus approaching performance attainable with CC devices. Temperature distributions achieved with DC and CC applicators in vivo were in agreement with theoretical calculations and further demonstrate that the devices are practical, sufficient power output levels can be obtained, and the angular heating profiles can be shaped or directed to protect non-targeted critical normal tissues. This preliminary study demonstrates that these interstitial ultrasound applicators have potential to provide controlled thermal coagulation and necrosis of small target regions and deserve further investigation and development for possible implementation in the treatment of benign and cancerous lesions in sites such as prostate, liver, and brain.     

Numerical assessment of electromagnetic exposure during live-line works on high-voltage objects

Live-line workers are exposed to the electric and magnetic fields of considerable strength. These fields should be estimated and analysed for the protection of health and safety of workers. According to the European Directive 2004/40/EC (regarding the exposure of workers to the electromagnetic fields), the density of currents induced in the worker?s body should be also evaluated. The indirect version of the boundary element method (BEM) is applied to the analysis of the electric field distribution in the live-line-working zone. This method is also employed for the modelling of eddy currents induced in the worker?s body by the external magnetic field. Numerical models of power objects and a simplified model of the human body are implemented in the own author?s computer programs. The above model of the human body is recommended by IEC/EN standards regarding the human exposure to the electromagnetic fields. Some numerical results concerning the hot-stick working method as well as the bare-hand working technique are presented.     

Assessment of radiofrequency/microwave radiation emitted by the antennas of rooftop-mounted mobile phone base stations

Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiation exposures from the antennas of rooftop-mounted mobile telephone base stations have become a serious issue in recent years due to the rapidly evolving technologies in wireless telecommunication systems. In Malaysia, thousands of mobile telephone base stations have been erected all over the country, most of which are mounted on the rooftops. In view of public concerns, measurements of the RF/MW levels emitted by the base stations were carried out in this study. The values were compared with the exposure limits set by several organisations and countries. Measurements were performed at 200 sites around 47 mobile phone base stations. It was found that the RF/MW radiation from these base stations were well below the maximum exposure limits set by various agencies.     

Transurethral ultrasound array for prostate thermal therapy:initial studies

This study presents the initial evaluation of an applicator designed for transurethral ultrasound thermotherapy (TUST) of prostate tissue in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer. A tubular multitransducer applicator, consisting of four piezoceramic tubes (2.5 mm diameter, 6 mm long, 6.8 MHz) under separate power control, was designed to fit within a semiflexible water-cooled temperature-regulated delivery catheter to be placed within the prostatic urethra during therapy. Sonication patterns were tailored to produce power depositions which avoid nontargeted tissues, such as the rectum. Computer simulations have demonstrated that 1.4-2.0 cm radial therapeutic zones (temperatures ⩾50-55°C, thermal doses >300 EM₄₃) with concurrent sparing of the urethral mucosa can be produced within prostate tissue having blood perfusion as high as 10 kg m^-3 s^-1 within 15-30 min. Acoustic distributions and power output measurements of a prototype applicator have demonstrated acoustic power levels approaching 10 W per each sectored transducer segment are attainable, with beam profiles collimated within the transducer length and with desired circumferential distributions. In vivo thermal dosimetry characterizations of these transurethral applicators have indicated that therapeutic temperatures between 50 and 90°C are attainable, controllable in the longitudinal and circumferential directions, and have effective radial heating. These results clearly indicate that transurethral ultrasound applicators have potential to provide improved spatial localization and control of the heating distribution over existing transurethral thermal therapy techniques for both hyperthermia and thermal coagulative therapy of the prostate     

Ultrasonic waveguide applicator arrays for interstitial heating: a model study

In this paper we describe an ultrasonic waveguide multiapplicator array for interstitial heating. We first discuss the heat generation term common for this type of applicator and show that the radius of the applicator is the limiting factor in the pattern of heat deposition. We carry out finite element analysis simulations of temperature profiles for three- and four-applicator array, and we test the simulations by measurements in a large volume tissue phantom. With the positive result of this test, we use the simulations to evaluate the size of the heated volume for several applicators (three to six) and for various geometries of their positioning. We do the simulations for a range of the effective thermal conductivity and for two applicator diameters. The volume of the medium with temperatures above 42 degrees C was in the 25 to 73 cm(5 ) range. This volume increased linearly with the diameter of the boundary at the basal temperature. Power required to produce preselected temperature elevation increased monotonically with the effective thermal conductivity. With the 24 mm between the applicators, the array could elevate the temperature to the required value up to the 0.030 W/cm/K effective thermal conductivity.     

Calculation of non-stationary temperature fields in tissue in the application of cryotherapy — a contribution to therapy planning

Mathematical models of non-stationary temperature fields in living tissue can supply pre-operative recommendations and reference values for the exact planning of cryotherapy (therapy parameters; time, applicator size, applicator shape, working temperature, etc.). Hence it is possible to estimate the possibilities and limits for attaining a particular cryotherapeutic effect. This is particularly important for oncological indications because an insufficient therapeutic dosage (e.g. applicator too small, temperature not low enough, inappropriate freezing rate or therapy time too short) may result in the stimulation effect occurring at the most extreme periphery of the freezing zone and becoming effective in the tumour's marginal zone. This must be prevented at all events. Even the impact of the various tissue and device parameters on the temperature distribution can be defined with the aim of correctly judging the significance of the individual parameters in therapy.     

Combined Electron Beam and Microwave Treatment for Flue Gas Purification

The results of a research program concerning the application of the electron beam EB) irradiation, microwave MW) irradiation and simultaneous electron beam and microwave EB + MW) irradiation for removing nitrogen oxides NOX) and sulfur dioxide SO₂) in simulated Due gases are presented. Several microwave applicators and reaction chambers used for NO_X and SO₂ removal tests are also presented. The additional use of MW energy and EB energy or the use of MW energy only proved to be a promising method for removal of pollutants in view of the reduction of power consumption and flue gas treatment process cost. Experiments performed at lower temperature 65-70°C) of the gaseous mixture air, Argon up to 7%, H₂O up to 25%, CO₂ up to 10%, SO₂ up to 2000 ppm, NO_X up to 1000 ppm, NH₃ added in stoichiometric amounts) demonstrated a higher SO₂ removal efficiency with lower absorbed dose. Promising results are obtained especially for SO₂ removal efficiency: up to 80% for MW, 85% for EB irradiation and up to 90% for EB + MW irradiation. A considerable amount of SO₂ can be separated even without MW, EB or EB + MW irradiation due the spontaneous reaction with ammonia at gaseous mixture temperature below 70°C. The most important conclusion concerning MW irradiation is that efficiency of removal of pollutants strongly depends on microwave applicator structure type, residence time and MW power level.     

A new high intensity focused ultrasound applicator for surgical applications

Improved high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) surgical applicators are required for use in a surgical environment. We report on the performance and characteristics of a new solid-cone HIFU applicator. Previous HIFU devices used a water-filled stand-off to couple the ultrasonic energy from the transducer to the treatment area. The new applicator uses a spherically-focused element and a solid aluminum cone to guide and couple the ultrasound to the tissue. Compared with the water-filled applicators, this new applicator is simpler to set up and manipulate, cannot leak, prevents the possibility of cavitation within the coupling device, and is much easier to sterilize and maintain during surgery. The design minimizes losses caused by shear wave conversion found in tapered solid acoustic velocity transformers operated at high frequencies. Computer simulations predicted good transfer of longitudinal waves. Impedance measurements, beam plots, Schlieren images, and force balance measurements verified strong focusing and suitable transfer of acoustic energy into water. At the focus, the -3 dB beam dimensions are 1.2 mm (axial)×0.3 mm (transverse). Radiation force balance measurements indicate a power transfer efficiency of 40%. In vitro and in vivo tissue experiments confirmed the applicator's ability to produce hemostasis     

Axial control of thermal coagulation using a multi-element interstitial ultrasound applicator with internal cooling

A multi-element, direct-coupled ultrasound (US) applicator with internal water cooling was investigated for axial control of interstitial thermal coagulation. A prototype implantable applicator was constructed with a linear array of three tubular PZT ultrasound transducers (each 2.5 mm OD, 10 mm length, 360 degrees emittance). Acoustic beam distributions from each element were measured and found to be collimated within the transducer length. The internally cooled applicator could sustain high levels of applied power to each transducer (0 to 40 W) and maintain acceptable applicator surface temperatures (<100 degrees C). Thermal performance of the applicator was investigated through heating trials in vivo (porcine thigh muscle and liver) and in vitro (bovine liver). The radial depth of thermal lesions produced was dependent on the applied power and sonication time and was controlled independently with power levels to each transducer element. With 18 W per element (applied electrical power) for 3 min, cylindrical thermal lesions were produced with a diameter of ~3 cm and a length ranging from 1.2 cm (with one element) to 3.5 cm (three elements). Higher powers (24 to 30 W) for 3 to 5 min provided increased depths of coagulation (~4 cm diameter lesions). Analysis of axial lesion shapes demonstrated that individual variation of power to each transducer element provided control of axial heating and depth of coagulation (for custom lesion shapes); lesion lengths corresponded to the number of active transducers. This ability to control the heating distribution dynamically along the length of the applicator has potential for improved target localization of thermal coagulation and necrosis in high temperature thermal therapy.     

A high-power periodic nanosecond pulse source of coherent 8-cm electromagnetic radiation

The generation of short electromagnetic pulses excited in an extended slow-wave system (SWS) of a relativistic backward wave tube (BWT) operating in the so-called superradiance regime with a carrier frequency of 3.7 GHz has been simulated and experimentally studied. At a decreased magnetic field (about 0.2 T) in the SWS, the BWT generated 2.5-ns microwave pulses with a power of up to 800 MW. At a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz, the working life of the system was limited by the lifetime of an explosive emission cathode (10⁶ pulses). The possibility of phase synchronization of the high-frequency field of the relativistic microwave oscillator with respect to the voltage pulse front is demonstrated for the first time.     

Survey of ELF magnetic field levels in households near overhead power lines in Serbia

During the last eight years, 'VIN?A' Institute--Radiation and Environmental Protection Laboratory has performed environmental 'spot' broadband measurements of extremely low frequency (ELF-50 Hz) electric and magnetic fields and RF (100 kHz-3 GHz) electromagnetic fields in over 35 municipalities in Serbia. These investigations were motivated by the local population requesting information about levels of general public exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields in living spaces. This paper presents a summary of values measured in households under overhead power lines. These measurements will be useful in determining the exposure levels of the general public, which in turn determines whether the exposure levels are within reference levels recommended by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines. It has turned out that measured values are far below the recommended safe levels.     

Investigation of the electric field excited by a personal computer

The electromagnetic field produced by a personal computer at frequencies in the 20 Hz-30 MHz range is investigated experimentally. Data are obtained on the spectral composition and polarization of the electric component of the electromagnetic field. Measurements of the spatial structure and the field strength in the front half-space of the plane of the monitor are presented.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 7, pp. 59–61, 1994.     

Italian intercomparison exercise on internal dose assessment

In 2001, the Radiation Protection Institute of ENEA promoted an Italian intercomparison exercise on internal dose assessment addressed to the qualified experts in radiation protection, following the coming into force in Italian law of the EURATOM 96/29 Directive. Five case studies of occupational exposure related to the Italian situation are used. The considered radioisotopes are: 60Co, 89Sr, 125I, 131I, and 222Rn + NORM (238U-235U-232Th). Data related to WBC, thyroid and urine excretion measurements, as well as radionuclide air concentration in the workplace, are provided to the participants. The results related to medical, industrial and Rn occupational exposure are well represented as means of log-normal distributions with values of the geometric standard deviation less than 2. A wider spread of results is present for the evaluation of occupational exposure to NORM.     

Computer Modelling of the Energy Distribution within Wood throughout Microwave Processing

Microwave wood modification and treatment technologies become more and more essential within the wood industry due to their technical and economical advantages. Microwave processing of wood involves many complicated physical phenomena and requires a very careful control of variables (such as intensity of microwave power, loading period, maximum temperature, etc.) in order to reduce structural deformations of the processed wood. To optimise and minimise the project design engineers' work, modelling and simulation of the microwave energy-wood interaction represents an indispensable tool.
This research work has been undertaken with the aim to design and optimise microwave applicators for microwave pre-drying of wood so that to achieve uniform modification of wood in the cross section without generating considerable checks in conjunction with an optimal utilisation of the energy.
A practical and innovative way capable to control the intensity and distribution of the microwave energy and hence to enhance the microwave modification pattern within wood/timber was theoretically accomplished through 3D electromagnetic simulations and presented within this paper. The theoretical computer simulation values were used as indicative information for the experimental tests. The timber pieces modified by using the new designed microwave wood modification system, demonstrated the benefits of microwave modelling technique and also the effectiveness of the microwave applicator device for the wood modification.     

Measurement techniques for UMTS signals radiated by radio base stations

In the most European countries radio coverage for the third radio mobile generation. i.e, the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), will soon be started. In the past few years, national laws specifying limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields have drawn much attention on electromagnetic test bed and measurement procedures for radio mobile equipment/systems. An overview is given of the UMTS system, showing the main characteristics of the radio access network UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network). An analysis is also provided as to the measurement techniques and related instrumentation for the electric field intensity radiated by a UMTS radio station.     

Multifrequency ultrasound transducers for conformal interstitial thermal therapy

Control over the pattern of thermal damage generated by interstitial ultrasound heating applicators can be enhanced by changing the ultrasound frequency during heating. The ability to change transmission frequency from a single transducer through the use of high impedance front layers was investigated in this study. The transmission spectrum of multifrequency transducers was calculated using the KLM equivalent circuit model and verified with experimental measurements on prototype transducers. The addition of a quarter-wavelength thick PZT (unpoled) front layer enabled the transmission of ultrasound at two discrete frequencies, 4.7 and 9.7 MHz, from a transducer with an original resonant frequency of 8.4 MHz. Three frequency transmission at 3.3, 8.4, and 10.8 MHz was possible for a transducer with a half-wavelength thick front layer. Calculations of the predicted thermal lesion size at each transmission frequency indicated that the depth of thermal lesion could be varied by a factor of 1.6 for the quarter-wavelength front layer. Heating experiments performed in excised liver tissue with a dual-frequency applicator confirmed this ability to control the shape of thermal lesions during heating to generate a desired geometry. Practical interstitial Designs that enable the generation of shaped thermal lesions are feasible.     

Video display terminal fringing magnetic field measurements

Possible occupational health or public health risks due to video display terminals (VDTs) are addressed. The authors note the errors of current jargon and correctly define the terms needed to describe the fringing magnetic flux density near any magnetically deflected, raster scan, cathode ray tube display. Theory and preliminary measurements have shown that the ELF AC electric field related to VDT display electronics is small, and the electromagnetic field strength at any frequency is truly negligible as an occupational health risk near any cathode ray tube display. Application of Maxwell's equations shows that the commonly used pickup coil responds to the derivative of magnetic flux density. The transducer needs an integrator to respond properly to the sawtooth waveforms of deflection fields. Correct measurements of VDT fringing magnetic fields are presented. A Swedish test method is briefly discussed. The conclusion from this work is strong. Theory and these measurements show there is not a verifiable occupational health risk from the fringing ELF electric or magnetic fields or any frequency electromagnetic fields near VDTs     

Radiation protection aspects of the cosmic radiation exposure of aircraft crew

Aircraft crew and frequent flyers are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic radiation of galactic and solar origin and secondary radiation produced in the atmosphere, the aircraft structure and its contents. Following recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection in Publication 60, the European Union introduced a revised Basic Safety Standards Directive, which included exposure to natural sources of ionising radiation, including cosmic radiation, as occupational exposure. The revised Directive has been incorporated into laws and regulations in the European Union Member States. Where the assessment of the occupational exposure of aircraft crew is necessary, the preferred approach to monitoring is by the recording of staff flying times and calculated route doses. Route doses are to be validated by measurements. This paper gives the general background, and considers the radiation protection aspects of the cosmic radiation exposure of aircraft crew, with the focus on the situation in Europe.     

Cardiac electrophysiology: theoretical considerations of a potential target for weak electromagnetic field effects

With the widespread introduction of extra high voltage power transmission lines in the 1960s, and subsequent to early reports from Soviet Union scientists about health risks for transformer station personnel, public concern regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on biological function has given rise to a large number of investigations and legislation to limit domestic and occupational exposure to EMFs. The underlying rationale for concern is related to the fact that living cells are electrically active, which makes them potentially vulnerable to electromagnetic interference. In the heart, electrical activity is crucial in coordinating the contraction of millions of cardiac cells, and disturbances in cardiac electrical activity, also known as arrhythmias, are often life threatening. Electrical fields induced in the heart by weak external EMFs (such as those encountered in a domestic setting) are understood to be at least 2 orders of magnitude smaller (< 1%) than those that occur naturally as an intrinsic consequence of cardiac activity. Using quantitative models of cardiac cellular electrophysiology, the effect of weak (1%) manipulation of key current mechanisms that give rise to the electrical activity of the heart is therefore assessed.     

An improved de-embedding technique for the measurement of thecomplex constitutive parameters of materials using a stripline fieldapplicator

A method for measuring the electromagnetic constitutive parameters of materials using a strip-transmission-line field applicator is presented. A technique is developed to measure the scattering parameters of the imperfect transition regions between the applicator coaxial terminal ports and the front and back terminal planes of the material sample in stripline, S-parameters of the sample region are subsequently deembedded from the coaxial-terminal model. The complex permittivity and permeability of the sample are easily related to the sample's S-parameters through well-known analytic relations. Measured constitutive parameters are presented for several representative materials