Development of an inductive, non-invasive RF applicator for studying hyperthermia in a rat brain tumour model.

A non-invasive inductive RF applicator has been designed specially for local heating of 6 mm diameter tumours growing in the brains of F344 rats (144-148 MHz). It is shown that an inductive applicator is the choice for this particular case. The power deposition pattern is analysed by modelling the applicator with a three-dimensional array of magnetic dipoles. The total hyperthermia system is briefly described and results of phantom and in vivo experimental measurements are presented. These confirm the theoretical analysis.