Dual-mode antenna design for microwave heating and noninvasive thermometry of superficial tissue disease

Hyperthermia therapy of superficial skin disease has proven clinically useful, but current heating equipment is somewhat clumsy and technically inadequate for many patients. The present effort describes a dual-purpose, conformal microwave applicator that is fabricated from thin, flexible, multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) material to facilitate heating of surface areas overlaying contoured anatomy. Preliminary studies document the feasibility of combining Archimedean spiral microstrip antennas, located concentrically within the central region of square dual concentric conductor (DCC) annular slot antennas. The motivation is to achieve homogeneous tissue heating simultaneously with noninvasive thermometry by radiometric sensing of blackbody radiation from the target tissue under the applicator. Results demonstrate that the two antennas have complimentary regions of influence. The DCC ring antenna structure produces a peripherally enhanced power deposition pattern with peaks in the outer corners of the aperture and a broad minimum around 50% of maximum centrally. In contrast, the Archimedean spiral radiates (or receives) energy predominantly along the boresight axis of the spiral, thus confining the region of influence to tissue located within the central broad minimum of the DCC pattern. Analysis of the temperature-dependent radiometer signal (brightness temperature) showed linear correlation of radiometer output with test load temperature using either the spiral or DCC structure as the receive antenna. The radiometric performance of the broadband Archimedean antenna was superior compared to the DCC, providing improved temperature resolution (0.1 degree C-0.2 degree C) and signal sensitivity (0.3 degree C-0.8 degree C/degree C) at all four 500 MHz integration bandwidths tested within the frequency range from 1.2 to 3.0 GHz.     

Vesicoureteral reflux in children: a phantom study of microwave heating and radiometric thermometry of pediatric bladder

We have investigated the use of microwave heating and radiometry to safely heat urine inside a pediatric bladder. The medical application for this research is to create a safe and reliable method to detect vesicoureteral reflux, a pediatric disorder, where urine flow is reversed and flows from the bladder back up into the kidney. Using fat and muscle tissue models, we have performed both experimental and numerical simulations of a pediatric bladder model using planar dual concentric conductor microstrip antennas at 915 MHz for microwave heating. A planar elliptical antenna connected to a 500 MHz bandwidth microwave radiometer centered at 3.5 GHz was used for noninvasive temperature measurement inside tissue. Temperatures were measured in the phantom models at points during the experiment with implanted fiberoptic sensors, and 2-D distributions in cut planes at depth in the phantom with an infrared camera at the end of the experiment. Cycling between 20 s with 20 Watts power for heating, and 10?s without power to allow for undisturbed microwave radiometry measurements, the experimental results show that the target tissue temperature inside the phantom increases fast and that the radiometer provides useful measurements of spatially averaged temperature of the illuminated volume. The presented numerical and experimental results show excellent concordance, which confirms that the proposed system for microwave heating and radiometry is applicable for safe and reliable heating of pediatric bladder.     

Phased-Array Design Considerations for Deep Hyperthermia through Layered Tissue

Results are presented which demonstrate localized heating at depth, by a phased array in a homogeneous thorax phantom and the problems caused by a more realistic case of a layered tissue equivalent phantom. A phased array of contacting radiators is proposed for overcoming the difficulty of selective heating within the body cavity caused primarily by the muscle layer. The field from one aperture radiator in contact with layered tissue is predicted by a planar spectral diffraction algorithm incorporating transmission and reflection operations on the plane wave spectrum. This prediction process is validated by experimental results. The algorithm enables the prediction of a minimum number of phased contacting radiators required for selective heating within lung tissue through fat and muscle layers at 2.45 GHz, and provides a guide for the design requirements of a multiapplicator system.     

Radiation patterns of dual concentric conductor microstrip antennasfor superficial hyperthermia

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method has been used to calculate electromagnetic radiation patterns from 915-MHz dual concentric conductor (DCC) microwave antennas that are constructed from thin and flexible printed circuit board (PCB) materials. Radiated field distributions are calculated in homogeneous lossy muscle tissue loads located under variable thickness coupling bolus layers. This effort extends the results of previous investigations to consider more realistic applicator configurations with smaller 2 cm-square apertures and different coupling bolus materials and thicknesses, as well as various spacings of multiple-element arrays. Results are given for practical applicator designs with microstrip feedlines etched on the backside of the PCB antenna array instead of previously tested bulky coaxial-cable feedline connections to each radiating aperture. The results demonstrate that for an optimum coupling bolus thickness of 2.5-5 mm, the thin, flexible, and lightweight DCC antennas produce effective heating to the periphery of each aperture to a depth of approximately 1 cm, and may be combined into arrays for uniform heating of large area superficial tissue regions with the 50% power deposition contour conforming closely to the outer perimeter of the array     

Detection of vesicoureteral reflux using microwave radiometry-system characterization with tissue phantoms

Microwave (MW) radiometry is proposed for passive monitoring of kidney temperature to detect vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) of urine that is externally heated by a MW hyperthermia device and thereafter reflows from the bladder to kidneys during reflux. Here, we characterize in tissue-mimicking phantoms the performance of a 1.375 GHz radiometry system connected to an electromagnetically (EM) shielded microstrip log spiral antenna optimized for VUR detection. Phantom EM properties are characterized using a coaxial dielectric probe and network analyzer (NA). Power reflection and receive patterns of the antenna are measured in layered tissue phantom. Receiver spectral measurements are used to assess EM shielding provided by a metal cup surrounding the antenna. Radiometer and fiberoptic temperature data are recorded for varying volumes (10-30 mL) and temperaturesg (40-46°C) of the urine phantom at 35 mm depth surrounded by 36.5°C muscle phantom. Directional receive pattern with about 5% power spectral density at 35 mm target depth and better than -10 dB return loss from tissue load are measured for the antenna. Antenna measurements demonstrate no deterioration in power reception and effective EM shielding in the presence of the metal cup. Radiometry power measurements are in excellent agreement with the temperature of the kidney phantom. Laboratory testing of the radiometry system in temperature-controlled phantoms supports the feasibility of passive kidney thermometry for VUR detection.     

An example of thermometry in volume by microwave radiometry

A method of determination of the size D depth z and temperature T0+ΔT of a cylindrical thermal structure embedded in an homogeneous lossy material, in the present case, water, is presented. A microwave radiometric image at 3 GHz points out the location of the thermal structure; its threshold provides the diameter D of the structure. The depth z derives from the ratio of the maximal radiometric intensities at 1.5 and 3 GHz. The combination of D, z and of the radiometric intensities gives ΔT     

RF ablation at low frequencies for targeted tumor heating: in vitro and computational modeling results

RF ablation uses RF current to heat and kill cancer applied via an electrode inserted under image guidance. Tumor has about half the electrical resistivity of normal tissue below 20 kHz, but similar resistivity above 500 kHz. We placed normal porcine liver tissue in contact with agar gel having similar resistivity as tumor within 20-450 kHz. A needle electrode was placed with half of the electrically active tip in each layer. We performed ablation with electric current applied for 12 min at 30 W, either at 20 or 450 kHz (n = 7 each), while measuring temperature via thermocouples 4 and 8 mm from the electrode. Mathematical heat-transfer models were created of an equivalent configuration and temperature profile determined at both frequencies. At 8-mm distance, at 450 kHz, tumor gel phantom and normal tissue obtained similar temperatures (57.5 ± 1.4 versus 58.7 ± 2.5 (°)C); at 20 kHz, tumor phantom obtained significantly higher temperatures than normal tissue (65.6 ± 2.0 versus 57.2 ± 5.6 (°)C, p < 0.01). Computer models confirm these results, and show the ablation zone diameter to be larger within the tumor phantom at 20 kHz compared to 450 kHz. Heating at low RFs may thus allow targeted heating of tumor tissue and reduced heating of normal tissue.     

GF5B热红外通道星上定标与验证

以GF5B卫星发射前实验室定标为基础,采用星上0级黑体定标数据,建立了适用于GF5B热红外通道的星上绝对辐射定标模型。通过对2022年01月12日星上黑体定标数据进行处理,获得成像仪热红外通道的绝对辐射定标系数。对星上定标系统精度进行分析,并采用地面同步烟台浮标数据对定标结果进行精度验证,结果表明,在轨后星上定标系统的绝对定标精度为0.9 K;星地验证结果显示B11和B12通道亮温的偏差分别为0.33、0.77 K。说明基于星上黑体的定标方法具有较好的精度,定标结果可靠,可满足遥感数据定量化应用的需要,为实时准确获取热红外通道定标系数提供了方法借鉴。     

Inversion of radiometric data from biological tissue by an optimisation method

The temperature profile in the depth of a biological tissue is reconstructed from multispectral microwave radiometric data using an optimisation strategy. Starting from a simplified model with an assumed temperature distribution, radiometric data for different frequencies (skin depths) are computed. After adding `measurement noise?, this computer-simulated data set is then inverted by the pattern-search strategy to yield a reconstructed temperature profile.     

毫米波辐射探测目标亮温的估计

毫米波近感技术是利用物体的毫米波辐射特性探测识别目标，在许多领域有着重要应用。为在毫米波辐射探测中求得精确的真实目标亮温，必须建立天线电磁辐射与环境电磁辐射交会的数学模型，此模型是第一类病态Fredho1m积分方程。寻找适当的方法能得到一个尽可能好的或同精确值相当接近的近似计算方法，为此，本文给出毫米波辐射计目标辐射亮温的估计方法。     

Microstrip-antenna design for hyperthermia treatment of superficialtumors

Three microstrip antennas of increasing complexity with electromagnetic and heating characteristics potentially suitable as applicators for superficial hyperthermia have been designed, developed, and tested in different radiative conditions: a microstrip disk, a microstrip annular-slot, and a microstrip spiral. Electromagnetic design criteria are presented together with the determinations of the applicator return loss versus frequency and thermograms of the near-field heating pattern in muscle-like phantom. The results are in good agreement with theory     

A perfused tissue phantom for ultrasound hyperthermia

A perfused tissue phantom, developed as a tool for analyzing the performance of ultrasound hyperthermia applicators, was investigated. The phantom, consisting of a fixed porcine kidney with thermocouples placed throughout the tissue, was perfused with degassed water by a variable flow rate pump. The phantom was insonated by an unfocused multielement ultrasound applicator and the temperatures in the phantom were recorded. The results indicate that for testing protocols where tissue phantoms are needed, the fixed kidney preparation offers an opportunity to use a more realistic phantom than has previously been available to assess the heating performance of ultrasound hyperthermia applicators.     

Measuring temperature of silicon monocrystals using spectral pyrometry

Spectrums of the thermal radiation of silicon monocrystals that are heated by a continuous laser beam (wavelength of 1.064 μm) are recorded within the wavelength range λ = 200–2500 nm. Silicon temperatures are determined within the interval T = 900–1700 K using the spectral pyrometry. The processing of a sequence of spectrums recorded with the frequency 100–1000 Hz allows the evolution of the crystal temperature to be restored during laser heating in the case when heating rates are sufficiently small. Peculiarities of different spectral intervals are discussed as applied to the problem of measuring the silicon temperature. During the laser heating of silicon, the temperature of a surface layer is shown to be heterogeneous with respect to depth, which is manifested in differences between average values calculated using thermal radiation spectrums and the surface temperature.     

Visibility of local thermal structures and temperature retrieval by microwave radiometry

For the first time, the geometrical characteristics (depth and size) and the temperature of a local thermal volume located in a homogeneous lossy material can be deduced from radiometric data. An example devoted to physical models (the lossy material is water) is based on the processing of radiometric data at 1.5 and 3 GHz.     

A preclinical system prototype for focused microwave thermal therapy of the breast

A preclinical prototype of a transcutaneous thermal therapy system has been developed for the targeted treatment of breast cancer cells using focused microwaves as an adjuvant to radiation, chemotherapy, and high-intensity-focused ultrasound. The prototype system employs a 2-D array of tapered microstrip patch antennas operating at 915?MHz to focus continuous-wave microwave energy transcutaneously into the pendent breast suspended in a coupling medium. Prior imaging studies are used to ascertain the material properties of the breast tissue, and these data are incorporated into a multiphysics model. Time-reversal techniques are employed to find a solution (relative amplitudes and phase) for focusing at a given location. Modeling tests of this time-reversal focusing method have been performed, which demonstrate good targeting accuracy within heterogeneous breast tissue. Experimental results using the laboratory prototype to perform focused heating in tissue-mimicking gelatin phantoms have demonstrated 1.5-cm-diameter focal spot sizes and differential heating at the desired focus sufficient to achieve an antitumor effect confined to the target region.     

Effect of surface cooling and blood flow on the microwave heating of tissue

The one-dimensional heat transport equation has been solved for a semi-infinite plane of tissue irradiated by microwave radiation, to determine the effects of thermal convection due to blood flow and transfer of heat from the tissue surface into space on the steady-state temperature distribution in the tissue. For microwaves in the 1 to 10-GHz range, the effective heating depth is 1 to 2 cm, and can be much deeper than the penetration depth of the radiation in the tissue. The position of the maximum tissue temperature can be varied by a centimeter or so by cooling the surface. The results suggest that microwave irradiation of simulated biomaterials is not likely to provide accurate estimates of the actual microwave-induced temperature distribution in tissue.     

基于加权最小二乘法的红外辐射定标

随着红外物理与红外技术的深入发展,目标的辐射特性测量受到了广泛的重视,红外探测器的辐射定标直接决定了辐射特性测量精度,为此文中建立了辐射定标系统,对3～5μm的红外焦平面阵列相机进行了绝对辐射定标实验。文中给出了辐射定标的数学模型,制定了定标的流程并进行了相应的辐射定标实验;针对红外标准源和环境波动性的影响,提出了加权最小二乘法的辐射定标优化方法;通过外场辐射特性测量实验表明,该方法的反演误差优于4%,提高了辐射定标的精度,结果满足实际工程的需要。     

A Direct-Contact Microwave Lens Applicator with a Microcomputer-Controlled Heating System for Local Hyperthermia

A direct-contact lens applicator for local microwave hyperthermia is proposed and developed with a computer-controlled microwave heating system. The applicator is a practical one that can converge the radiated electromagnetic field to deposit its energy deep in human tissues. The experimental results, which agree well with the theoretical ones, show that the applicator which operated at 2450 MHz could heat at twice the depth at which a simple and conventional waveguide applicator could heat. The experimental results using a developed computer system that supplies microwave energy and circulated cooling water to the developed applicator show that the fluctuations of temperature at the heating location in the human tissue model were maintained within +-0.3° C of the set temperature. The results of the phantom model and the animal experiment using the system with the applicator show that the maximum depth of noninvasive heating was more than 30 mm below the surface. These results are available for the clinical hyperthermia treatment of cancer.     

Electric-field distribution near rectangular microstrip radiatorsfor hyperthermia heating: theory versus experiment in water

A rectangular microstrip antenna radiator is investigated for its near-zone radiation characteristics in water. Calculations of a cavity model theory are compared with the electric-field measurements of a miniature nonperturbing diode-dipole E-field probe whose 3 mm tip was positioned by an automatic three-axis scanning system. These comparisons have implications for the use of microstrip antennas in a multielement microwave hyperthermia applicator. Half-wavelength rectangular microstrip patches were designed to radiate in water at 915 MHz. Both low (epsilon r = 10) and high (epsilon r = 85) dielectric constant substrates were tested. Normal and tangential components of the near-zone radiated electric field were discriminated by appropriate orientation of the E-field probe. Low normal to transverse electric-field ratios at 3.0 cm depth indicate that the radiators may be useful for hyperthermia heating with an intervening water bolus. Electric-field pattern addition from a three-element linear array of these elements in water indicates that phase and amplitude adjustment can achieve some limited control over the distribution of radiated power.     

一种小型化体外挽袖微带圆贴片微波热疗天线北大核心CSCD

小体积生物组织进行微波热疗过程中,热疗天线辐射的微波能量聚焦体积过大、治疗范围超出热疗目标区域烧伤其余健康组织,针对这一问题,文中提出了一种小型化体外挽袖式微带热疗天线。它由SMA连接器法兰盘两侧焊接的挽袖圆铜壳及两个圆形微带贴片组成。微带贴片的介质基底是相对介电常数为4.4的FR-4材料,基底厚1.6 mm。实测天线在915 MHz的反射系数为-18.5 dB,试验中由该天线加热40 mm×40 mm×40 mm的小体积猪肉组织,并采取红外热成像仪和热电偶两种测温方式测试天线加热情况,研究结果表明该天线有效治疗区域为20 mm×20 mm×10 mm的半椭球型,温度分布较为均匀,适用于小体积体外微波热疗系统。