Assessment of the performance characteristics of a prototype 12-element capacitive contact flexible microstrip applicator (CFMA-12) for superficial hyperthermia

The electrical performance of the CFMA-12 operating at 433 MHz is assessed under laboratory conditions using a RF network analyser. From measurements of the scattering parameters of the CFMA-12 on both a multi-layered muscle- and fat/muscle-equivalent phantom, the optimal water bolus thickness, at which the transfer of the energy to the phantom configuration is maximal, is determined to be ∼1 cm. The SAR distribution of the CFMA-12 in a multi-layered muscle-equivalent phantom is characterized using Schottky diode sheets and a TVS-600 IR camera. From the SAR measurements using the Schottky diode sheets it is shown that the contribution of the Ex component to the SAR (SARx) is maximal 7% of the contribution of the Eycomponent to the SAR (SARy) at different layers in both phantom configurations. The complete SAR distribution (SARtot) at different depths is measured using the power pulse technique. From these measurements, it can be seen that SARyat a depth of 0 cm in the muscle-equivalent phantom represents ...