Development of a metamaterial‐based compact applicator for hyperthermia

Abstract

AbstractA compact focused metamaterial‐based applicator is investigated for hyperthermia cancer treatment in this letter. The metamaterial‐based applicator consists of a double spiral antenna (DSA), an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) as a reflector, and a frequency selective surface (FSS) as a lens. An AMC structure (64 × 64 mm2) is placed in the back of the antenna at a 5 mm distance that converges the bidirectional field pattern of the antenna into the directional field pattern. Further, to increase penetration inside the tissue, an FSS structure (64 × 64 mm2) is placed at the top of DSA at a distance of 4 mm. The FSS directs the energy toward the tumor location and provides a uniform heating pattern. The field and temperature distribution are numerically obtained for the proposed applicator in the heterogeneous phantom (layers of skin, fat, and muscles), and the performance of the applicator is evaluated in terms of the specific absorption rate, penetration depth, and effective field size. The performance of the applicator is also analyzed for a deeply placed (at 16 mm from the skin surface) irregular‐shaped tumor. The temperature profile calculates 44°C at an input power of 2.5 W. The results show that the applicator is capable of heating sufficiently deep‐seated tumors.