Experimental study of a hybrid microwave radiometry-hyperthermia apparatus with the use of an anatomical head phantom.

This paper presents the latest progress made concerning a hybrid diagnostic and therapeutic system able to provide focused microwave radiometric temperature and/or conductivity variation measurements and hyperthermia treatment. Previous experimental studies of our group have demonstrated the system performance and focusing properties in phantom as well as human experiments. The system is able to detect temperature and conductivity variations with frequency-dependent detection depth and spatial sensitivity.

Noninvasive focused monitoring and irradiation of head tissue phantoms at microwave frequencies.

In this study, new aspects of our research regarding a novel hybrid system able to provide focused microwave radiometric temperature and/or conductivity measurements and hyperthermia treatment via microwave irradiation are presented. On one hand, it is examined whether the system is capable of sensing real-time progressive local variations of temperature and/or conductivity in customized phantom setups; on the other hand, the focusing attributes of the system are explored for different positions and types of phantoms used for hyperthermia in conjunction with dielectric matching layers surrounding the areas of interest. The main module of the system is an ellipsoidal cavity, which provides the appropriate focusing of the electromagnetic energy on the area of interest.

Contactless passive diagnosis for brain intracranial applications: A study using dielectric matching materials.

A prototype system for passive intracranial monitoring using microwave radiometry is proposed. It comprises an ellipsoidal conductive wall cavity to achieve beamforming and focusing, in conjunction with sensitive multiband receivers for detection. The system has already shown the capability to provide temperature and/or conductivity variations in phantoms and biological tissue.

Enhancing the focusing properties of a prototype non-invasive brain hyperthermia system: a simulation study.

Aim of this study is the improvement of the focusing properties of a prototype system for deep brain hyperthermia able to provide also passive measurements of temperature distributions inside the human body and especially the brain. One of the main modules of the system which ensures the necessary beamforming and focusing on the body and brain cortex areas of interest is the symmetrical axis ellipsoidal conductive wall cavity. The proposed system operates in a total non-invasive contactless passive manner and is designed to provide hyperthermia treatment and temperature monitoring.