Specific Absorption Rate Variation Research Articles

Skin sarcoma stage detection using antenna resonant scale

In this paper, a small antenna is proposed to diagnose skin sarcoma at an embryonic stage. The antenna has an area of 30.54 × 15.27 mm2 and resonates at 1429 MHz with a reflection coefficient of −17.64 dB. The structure consists of a 35 μm copper sheet etched on a 1.6 mm FR-4 substrate. The diagnosis is based on the resonance frequency shift, and the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) variation when the antenna is positioned on malignant tissue. For the simulations, a three-layer body phantom (skin, fat, muscle), and a half-sphere tumor phantom were considered. Simulations of the antenna performances showed that for a tumor of 100 μm, the resonant frequency, and the SAR decrease by 2 MHz, and 1.09 mW/Kg, respectively. In addition to sarcoma detection, the antenna’s 3.6 dBi gain allows for 124.47 m biomedical communication links in a complex environment.

Polarization Effect Assessment of Sub-6 GHz Frequencies on Adult and Child Four-Layered Head Models

Nowadays, with the extensive use of mobile phones, the Electromagnetic (EM) radiation penetration from Radio Frequencies (RFs), particularly into the human head, is an issue that needs resolving. Some serious biological hazards occur inside the human body due to RF radiation accumulation. The RF radiation can be minimized by embodying shielding and coating materials on the front side of the mobile handset. The novelty of the proposed work is the use of mathematical analysis in calculating the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) absorbed by planar four-layer adult and child head models when exposed to mobile smartphone RF radiation. The variation of SAR with the Angle of Incident (AoI) of the EM wave considers Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM) Polarization. The SAR absorption alteration with the AoI of the EM wave is calculated with the help of the shielding effectiveness parameter of the external Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) shield coated with conductive copper (Cu) mesh, forming a laminated shield using the methodology of the transmission line method. Furthermore, the SAR variation with AoI for both human head models is calculated theoretically at Sub-6 GHz mobile frequencies of 4.5GHz and 3.6GHz. SAR of 7.41e-12 W/kg and 4.41e-11 W/kg is achieved theoretically for adult and child head models respectively, at 89° TE polarization at 4.5GHz.

The impact of data selection and fitting on SAR estimation for magnetic nanoparticle heating

Background Magnetic fluid heating has great potential in the fields of thermal medicine and cryopreservation. However, variations among experimental parameters, analysis methods and experimental uncertainty make quantitative comparisons of results among laboratories difficult. Herein, we focus on the impact of calculating the specific absorption rate (SAR) using Time-Rise and Box-Lucas fitting. Time-Rise assumes adiabatic conditions, which is experimentally unachievable, but can be reasonably assumed (quasi-adiabatic) only for specific and limited evaluation times when heat loss is negligible compared to measured heating rate. Box-Lucas, on the other hand, accounts for heat losses but requires longer heating. Methods Through retrospective analysis of data obtained from two laboratories, we demonstrate measurement time is a critical parameter to consider when calculating SAR. Volumetric SAR were calculated using the two methods and compared across multiple iron-oxide nanoparticles. Results We observed the lowest volumetric SAR variation from both fitting methods between 1–10 W/mL, indicating an ideal SAR range for heating measurements. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that poorly chosen fitting method can generate reproducible but inaccurate SAR. Conclusion We provide recommendations to select measurement time for data analysis with either Modified Time-Rise or Box-Lucas method, and suggestions to enhance experimental precision and accuracy when conducting heating experiments.

The effect of simulation strategies on prediction of power deposition in the tissue around electronic implants during magnetic resonance imaging

Numerical simulations are increasingly employed in safety assessment of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with conductive medical implants such as those with deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Performing numerical simulations with realistic patient models and implant geometry is the preferred method as it provides the most accurate results; however, in many cases such an approach is infeasible due to limitation of computational resources. The difficulties in reconstructing realistic patient and device models and obtaining accurate electrical properties of tissue have compelled researchers to adopt compromises, either to exceedingly simplify implant structure and geometry, or the complexity of the body model. This study examines the effect of variations in anatomical details of the human body model and implant geometry on predicted values of specific absorption rate (SAR) values during MRI in a patient with a DBS implant. We used a patient-derived model of a fully implanted DBS implant and performed numerical simulations to calculate the maximum SAR during MRI at 1.5T (64 MHz) and 3T (127 MHz). We then assessed the effect of uncertainties in dielectric properties of tissue, complexity of body model, truncation of body/DBS model, and DBS lead geometry on SAR. Our results showed that 40% variation in the conductivity of individual tissues in a heterogeneous body model caused a peak of 7% variation in maximum SAR value at 64 MHz, and 10.6% variation in SAR at 127 MHz. SAR predictions from a homogeneous body model with a conductivity range of could cover the full range of SAR variations predicted by the heterogeneous body model. Truncation of body model below the implanted pulse generator changed the predicted SAR by 16% at 1.5T and 32% at 3T while saving 250% and 148% in computational time and memory allocation, respectively. In contrast, variation in DBS lead geometry significantly changed the SAR by up to 51% at 64 MHz and 67% at 127 MHz. These results suggest that the error introduced by simplifying the implant’s geometry could negate the benefit of using a realistic body model, should such model be used at the expense of oversimplifying implant geometry.

In vivo human head MRI at 10.5T: A radiofrequency safety study and preliminary imaging results.

The purpose of this study is to safely acquire the first human head images at 10.5T. To ensure safety of subjects, we validated the electromagnetic simulation model of our coil. We obtained quantitative agreement between simulated and experimental and specific absorption rate (SAR). Using the validated coil model, we calculated radiofrequency power levels to safely image human subjects. We conducted all experiments and imaging sessions in a controlled radiofrequency safety lab and the whole-body 10.5T scanner in the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. Quantitative agreement between the simulated and experimental results was obtained including S-parameters, maps, and SAR. We calculated peak 10 g average SAR using 4 different realistic human body models for a quadrature excitation and demonstrated that the peak 10 g SAR variation between subjects was less than 30%. We calculated safe power limits based on this set and used those limits to acquire T2 - and -weighted images of human subjects at 10.5T. In this study, we acquired the first in vivo human head images at 10.5T using an 8-channel transmit/receive coil. We implemented and expanded a previously proposed workflow to validate the electromagnetic simulation model of the 8-channel transmit/receive coil. Using the validated coil model, we calculated radiofrequency power levels to safely image human subjects.

Individual variation in simulated fetal SAR assessed in multiple body models.

We generate 12 models from 4 pregnant individuals to evaluate individual differences in local specific absorption rate (SAR) for differing body habitus and fetal and maternal positions. Structural MR images from 4 pregnant subjects (including supine and left-lateral maternal positions) were manually segmented to create 12 body models by rotating the fetus, modifying the fat content, and altering the maternal arm position in 1 of the subjects. Electromagnetic simulations modeled at 3 Tesla determined the average and peak local SAR in the maternal trunk, fetus, fetal brain, and amniotic fluid. We observed a significant range of fetal and maternal peak local SAR across the models (maternal trunk: 19.14-44.03 watts/kg, fetus: 9.93-18.79 watts/kg, fetal brain 3.36-10.3 watts/kg). We found that maternal body habitus changes introduced a significant variation in the maternal peak local SAR but not the fetal local SAR. However, the maternal position (either rotating the mother to left-lateral position or altering the arm position) introduced changes in fetal peak local SAR (range: 11.9-17.9 watts/kg). Rotating the fetus also introduced variation in the fetal and fetal brain peak local SAR. The observed variation in SAR emphasizes the need for more anatomical models to enable better safety management of individuals during fetal MRI, including a wider range of gestational ages.

A Fast Electromagnetic Field and Radio Frequency Circuit Co-Simulation Approach for Strongly Coupled Coil Array in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Electromagnetic (EM) coupling between radio frequency (RF) coils is a common cause of coil performance degradation and must be sufficiently reduced in the design of RF coils. The EM field simulation is a primary tool in analyzing the coupling condition and optimizing the decoupling method. A theoretical analysis of co-simulation under the conditions of strongly coupled RF coils is proposed in this paper. The proposed co-simulation method is evaluated through the comparison with the conventional simulation methods in terms of the efficiency and of the EM fields and specific absorption rate (SAR) of a two-channel strongly coupled coil array. The results demonstrate that the proposed co-simulation method saves approximately 94.5% of the total simulation time for strongly coupled coil arrays while the EM field and SAR variation is less than 4%. As a method demonstration, the proposed co-simulation method was used to analyze the capacitance decoupling of adjacent coils with the scattering matrix and saves about 95.78% of the total simulation time for the optimization of decoupling capacitors.

SAR Variation Due to Exposure From a Smartphone Held at Various Positions Near the Torso

Along with the spread of novel types of mobile phones such as smartphones, there has been increasing public interest in the health hazards associated with exposure to electromagnetic waves from these devices. Therefore, we estimated the specific absorption rate (SAR) of electromagnetic radiation by numerical simulation using a realistic computational smartphone model with an antenna for a third generation communication (3G) system (operating frequencies: 900 MHz and 2 GHz) and computational human models with the anatomical structures of Japanese male and female adults. We also assessed the relative variability of SAR based on holding a smartphone at various positions for data communications. The 10-g-averaged SAR (SAR 10g ) when the smartphone was operating at 2 GHz was generally higher than that at 900 MHz independent of the placement of the smartphone. Moreover, we found that SAR 10g had a tendency to increase when the smartphone was placed vertically in relation to the torso. In addition, it is possible that SAR 10g variability depends mainly not on placement height but on tilt angle.

Intersubject local SAR variation for 7T prostate MR imaging with an eight‐channel single‐side adapted dipole antenna array

Surface transmit arrays used in ultra-high field body MRI require local specific absorption rate (SAR) assessment. As local SAR cannot be measured directly, local SAR is determined by simulations using dielectric patient models. In this study, the inter-patient local SAR variation is investigated for 7T prostate imaging with the single-side adapted dipole antenna array. Four-dedicated dielectric models were created by segmenting Dixon water-fat separated images that were obtained from four subjects with a 1.5T scanner and the surface array in place. Electromagnetic simulations were performed to calculate the SAR distribution for each model. Radio frequency (RF) exposure variations were determined by analyzing the SAR(10g) distributions (1) with one element active, (2) using a Q-matrix eigenvalue/eigenvector approach, (3) with the maximum potential SAR in each voxel, and (4) for a phase shimmed prostate measurement. Maximum potential local SAR levels for 1 W time-averaged accepted power per transmit channel range from 4.1 to 7.1 W/kg. These variations show that one model is not sufficient to determine safe scan settings. For the operation of the surface array conservative power settings were derived based on a worst-case SAR evaluation and the most SAR-sensitive body model.

SAR, SA, and Temperature Variation in the Human Head Caused by IR-UWB Implants Operating at 4 GHz

With the extensive use of wireless devices within or at close proximity to the human body, electromagnetic effects caused by the interaction between RF waves and human tissues need to be considered with paramount importance. The ultra-wideband (UWB) communication spectrum has recently been utilized in bio-telemetry applications, such as neural recording, brain-computer interfaces, and physiological data monitoring requiring high data rate and low power. This paper reports the electromagnetic effects of head-implantable transmitting devices operating based on impulse radio UWB wireless technology. Simulations illustrate the performance of an implantable UWB antenna tuned to operate at 4 GHz with an -10-dB bandwidth of approximately 1 GHz when it is implanted in a human head model. Specific absorption rate (SAR), specific absorption (SA), and temperature increase are analyzed to compare the compliance of the transmitting device with international safety regulations. The frequency- and age-dependent nature of the tissue properties, such as relative permittivity, is taken into account. The SAR/SA variation of the human head is presented with varying input power, different antenna orientations, and different signal bandwidths. We also present the percentage of SAR variation for each tissue type in the head model used for the simulations.

Evaluation of RF Heating due to Various Implants during MR Procedures

We evaluated radiofrequency (RF) heating of various implants embedded in a gel phantom during magnetic resonance (MR) procedures. We examined the dependence of RF heating on variation in specific absorption rate (SAR) and angle between the implant and the static magnetic field (B(0)) and on the displacement of the phantom in the irradiation coil using a 1.5-tesla MR system, and we compared the influence of RF heating on the same implant using a 3.0T MR system. Our results support the occurrence of RF heating of implants made of non-magnetizing metal. We observed greater RF heating when the implant was set parallel to B(0), embedded at a shallower depth, and placed at the center of the RF irradiation coil. We also confirmed that the rise in temperature was proportionate to the increase in SAR. We considered the difference in temperature elevation on depth of embedding to reflect the skin-depth effect of RF intensity for both the 1.5- and 3.0-T MR systems.

SAR variation study from 300 to 5000 MHz for 15 voxel models including different postures

An extensive study on specific absorption rate (SAR) covering 720 simulations and 15 voxel models (18–105 kg) has been performed by applying the parallel finite-difference time-domain method. High-resolution whole-body models have been irradiated with plane waves from 300 MHz to 5 GHz by applying various incoming directions and polarizations. Detailed results of whole-body SAR and peak 10 g SAR are reported, and SAR variation in the dB scale is examined. For an adult, the effect of incoming direction on whole-body SAR is larger in the GHz range than at around 300–450 MHz, and the effect is stronger with vertical polarization. For a child (height ∼1.2 m), the effect of incoming direction is similar as for an adult, except at 300 MHz for horizontal polarization. The effect of the phantom (18–105 kg) on whole-body SAR is larger at around 2–5 GHz and at vertical 300 MHz (proximity of whole-body resonance for the child) than at around horizontal 300–900 MHz. Body posture has little effect on whole-body SAR in the GHz range, but at around 300–450 MHz, one may even expect a 2 dB rise in whole-body SAR if posture is changed from the standing position. Posture affects peak 10 g SAR much more than whole-body SAR. The polarization of the incident electric field may have an effect of several dB on whole-body SAR. Between 2 and 5 GHz for adults, whole-body SAR is higher for horizontal than for vertical polarization, if the incoming direction is in the azimuth plane. In the GHz range, horizontal polarization gives higher whole-body SAR, especially for irradiation from the lateral direction. A comparison between homogeneous and heterogeneous models was done. A homogenized model underestimates whole-body SAR, especially at ∼2 GHz. The basic restriction of whole-body SAR, set by ICNIRP, is exceeded in the smallest models (∼20 kg) at the reference level of exposure, but also some adult phantoms are close to the limit. The peak 10 g SAR limits were never exceeded in the studied cases. The present ICNIRP guidelines should be revised by lowering the reference levels, especially at around 2–5 GHz.

Development and Dosimetry Analysis of a 2-GHz Whole-Body Exposure Setup for Unrestrained Pregnant and Newborn Rats

For investigation of possible bio-effects of the 2-GHz wideband code division multiple access cellular system on pregnant and newborn rats, we have developed an unrestrained whole-body exposure setup, which employs two dipole antennas to induce a circularly polarized field at the location of the rats. The dosimetric results, by using the finite-difference time-domain method in conjunction with anatomical rat models, have confirmed the realization of a circular polarization in the exposure space, and have also revealed that the exposure setup can maintain a relative variation of the whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) within plusmn60% of the designed average level for various positions of rats. These findings show that the exposure setup is reasonable and acceptable in view of the actual SAR variation in a human body due to RF exposure from base stations.

The effect of increase in dielectric values on specific absorption rate (SAR) in eye and head tissues following 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz radio frequency (RF) exposure

Numerous studies have attempted to address the question of the RF energy absorption difference between children and adults using computational methods. They have assumed the same dielectric parameters for child and adult head models in SAR calculations. This has been criticized by many researchers who have stated that child organs are not fully developed, their anatomy is different and also their tissue composition is slightly different with higher water content. Higher water content would affect dielectric values, which in turn would have an effect on RF energy absorption. The objective of this study was to investigate possible variation in specific absorption rate (SAR) in the head region of children and adults by applying the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and using anatomically correct child and adult head models. In the calculations, the conductivity and permittivity of all tissues were increased from 5 to 20% but using otherwise the same exposure conditions. A half-wave dipole antenna was used as an exposure source to minimize the uncertainties of the positioning of a real mobile device and making the simulations easily replicable. Common mobile telephony frequencies of 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz were used in this study. The exposures of ear and eye regions were investigated. The SARs of models with increased dielectric values were compared to the SARs of the models where dielectric values were unchanged. The analyses suggest that increasing the value of dielectric parameters does not necessarily mean that volume-averaged SAR would increase. Under many exposure conditions, specifically at higher frequencies in eye exposure, volume-averaged SAR decreases. An increase of up to 20% in dielectric conductivity or both conductivity and permittivity always caused a SAR variation of less than 20%, usually about 5%, when it was averaged over 1, 5 or 10 g of cubic mass for all models. The thickness and composition of different tissue layers in the exposed regions within the human head play a more significant role in SAR variation compared to the variations (5–20%) of the tissue dielectric parameters.

Radiofrequency Dosimetry for the Ferris-Wheel Mouse Exposure System

Numerical and experimental methods were employed to assess the individual and collective dosimetry of mice used in a bioassay on the exposure to pulsed radiofrequency energy at 900 MHz in the Ferris-wheel exposure system (Utteridge et al., Radiat. Res. 158, 357-364, 2002). Twin-well calorimetry was employed to measure the whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of mice for three body masses (23 g, 32 g and 36 g) to determine the lifetime exposure history of the mice used in the bioassay. Calorimetric measurements showed about 95% exposure efficiency and lifetime average whole-body SARs of 0.21, 0.86, 1.7 and 3.4 W kg(-1) for the four exposure groups. A larger statistical variation in SAR was observed in the smallest mice because they had the largest variation in posture inside the plastic restrainers. Infrared thermography provided SAR distributions over the sagittal plane of mouse cadavers. Thermograms typically showed SAR peaks in the abdomen, neck and head. The peak local SAR at these locations, determined by thermometric measurements, showed peak-to-average SAR ratios below 6:1, with typical values around 3:1. Results indicate that the Ferris wheel fulfills the requirement of providing a robust exposure setup, allowing uniform collective lifetime exposure of mice.

Simplified model and measurement of specific absorption rate distribution in a culture flask within a transverse electromagnetic mode exposure system.

In vitro experiments in bioelectromagnetics frequently require the determination of specific absorption rate (SAR) within a layer of cells on the bottom of a culture flask when the SAR has rapid spatial variation both horizontally within the cell layer and vertically in the medium bathing the cells. This problem has only recently been treated in the literature; and it is here approached differently for another irradiation system. It is shown that a simple two-dimensional frequency-domain guided-wave treatment yields results qualitatively comparable to those of more computationally intensive three-dimensional time-domain free-field scattering treatments. The problem of inferring local SARs from temperature-vs.-time curves is shown to be seriously confounded by thermal diffusion; and specific analytic and numerical results are presented to aid in understanding this effect. A novel experimental technique is introduced for measuring millikelvin temperature offsets with subsecond resolution, and illustrative experimental data are presented. Finally, present experimental and theoretical uncertainties are considered; and it is pessimistically asserted that, in a culture flask where spatial SAR variation is rapid, point SAR measurements by thermal methods may be in error by as much as +/- 3 dB. More reliable thermal determinations will require extreme care, challenging technological innovations, or both.