A patch antenna design for application in a phased-array head and neck hyperthermia applicator

In this paper, we describe a specifically designed patch antenna that can be used as the basis antenna element of a clinical phased-array head and neck hyperthermia applicator. Using electromagnetic simulations we optimized the dimensions of a probe-fed patch antenna design for operation at 433 MHz. By several optimization steps we could converge to a theoretical reflection of -38 dB and a bandwidth (-15 dB) of 20 MHz (4.6%). Theoretically, the electrical performance of the antenna was satisfactory over a temperature range of 15 degrees C-35 degrees C, and stable for patient-antenna distances to as low as 4 cm. In an experimental cylindrical setup using six elements of the final patch design, we measured the impedance characteristics of the antenna 1) to establish its performance in the applicator and 2) to validate the simulations. For this experimental setup we simulated and measured comparable values: -21 dB reflection at 433 MHz and a bandwidth of 18.5 MHz. On the basis of this study, we anticipate good central interference of the fields of multiple antennas and conclude that this patch antenna design is very suitable for the clinical antenna array. In future research we will verify the electrical performance in a prototype applicator.