Applying a repetitive time‐reversal method to reduce input power of a wearable hyperthermia applicator for breast cancer treatment

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, a hyperthermia healing system is presented for cancer treatment. To alleviate most of the microwave hyperthermia systems problems, such as high input power, complicated beamforming method, unwanted hot spots for superficial tumors, and bulky profile, a simple repetitive time‐reversal method is proposed to design a low power wearable hyperthermia applicator with low hotspots at 915 MHz. The objective of this algorithm is to obtin the desired focusing by the minimum possible number of antennas in an appropriate time and minimum required input power. In this paper, first, a symmetric 11‐element patch array is considered. Then, by applying a repetitive time‐reversal method, the number of elements decreases to 7 for deep and 4 for both superficial and intermediate tumors, respectively. The steady‐state temperature/specific absorption rate focusing and transient thermal analysis are investigated in CST MWS and COMSOL, respectively. The target temperature of 43°C is met after less than 10 minutes. The focusing diameter size varies between 1 and 2 cm depending on the number of elements and arrangements considered for different tumors. Compared to literature, this applicator needs very low input power, produces less unwanted hotspots, improves pationt comfort, reduces treatment cost which all leads to patient treatment persistency. Moreover, it does not need any complicated beamforming method.