Novel applicator for local RF hyperthermia treatment using improved excitation control

In this paper, a novel applicator for hyperthermia treatment is presented providing a significantly improved quality assurance for the treatment. An improved method has been developed to measure the total incident field (amplitude and phase) and the power absorbed (SAR) by the tissues from each applicator element, based on integrated sensors and data acquisition electronics. For phased array deep RF hyperthermia this method can take into account reflection, mismatch, cross coupling and changes in any of these. Furthermore, a new treatment paradigm for superficial hyperthermia using deionised water as a dielectric waveguide to deliver power from each individual applicator to a specific region without significant impact on the divergence of the field with distance.