Numerical investigation of novel microwave applicators based on zero-order mode resonance for hyperthermia treatment of cancer

This paper characterizes three novel microwave applicators based on zero-order mode resonators for use in hyperthermia treatment of cancer. The radiation patterns are studied with numerical simulations in muscle tissue-equivalent model at 434 MHz. The relative performance of the applicators is compared in terms of reflection coefficient, current distribution, power deposition (SAR) pattern, effective field size in 2D and 3D tissue volumes, and penetration depth. One particular configuration generated the most uniform SAR pattern, with 25% SAR covering 84 % of the treatment volume extending to 1 cm depth under the aperture, while remaining above 58% coverage as deep as 3 cm under the aperture. Recommendations are made to further optimize this structure

Novel Applicators for Local Microwave Hyperthermia Based on Zeroth-Order Mode Resonator Metamaterial

It is demonstrated that a theory of zero-order mode resonator (ZOR) metamaterial (MTM) structure can be used for the development of a novel class of applicators for microwave thermotherapy, for example, for hyperthermia in cancer treatment or for physiotherapy. The main idea of creating such an applicator is to generate and radiate a plane electromagnetic (EM) wave into the treated biological tissue, at least in a certain extent. The main aim of this paper is to investigate whether an EM wave generated by ZOR MTM structure and emitted into the biological tissue can produce a homogeneous SAR distribution in the planes parallel to the applicator aperture and achieve a penetration depth approaching the theoretical limit represented by SAR distribution and penetration depth of an ideal EM plane wave. EM field distribution inside a virtual phantom of the treated region generated by the applicator that is based on the proposed ZOR MTM principle is investigated using a well-proven full-wave commercial simulation tool. The proposed applicator type shows both a low unwanted leaked electromagnetic field and a fairly homogeneous electric field in its aperture as well as in the virtual phantom of the treated region

Novel Microwave Applicators Based on Zero-Order Mode Resonance for Hyperthermia Treatment of Cancer

In this paper, three novel microwave applicator prototypes based on zero-order mode resonators are proposed for use in hyperthermia treatment of cancer. The ability of all three applicators to homogenously irradiate muscle tissue-equivalent phantoms is demonstrated with results of numerical simulations, and relative performance of the applicators is compared

Microwave Tomography System for Methodical Testing of Human Brain Stroke Detection Approaches

In this work, a prototype of a laboratory microwave imaging system suitable to methodically test the ability to image, detect, and classify human brain strokes using microwave technology is presented. It consists of an antenna array holder equipped with ten newly developed slot bowtie antennas, a 2.5 D reconfigurable and replaceable human head phantom, stroke phantoms, and related measuring technology and software. This prototype was designed to allow measurement of a complete S-matrix of the antenna array. The reconfigurable and replaceable phantom has currently 23 different predefined positions for stroke phantom placement. This setting allows repeated measurements for the stroke phantoms of different types, sizes/shapes, and at different positions. It is therefore suitable for large-scale measurements with high variability of measured data for stroke detection and classification based on machine learning methods. In order to verify the functionality of the measuring system, S-parameters were measured for a hemorrhagic phantom sequentially placed on 23 different positions and distributions of dielectric parameters were reconstructed using the Gauss-Newton iterative reconstruction algorithm. The results correlate well with the actual position of the stroke phantom and its type

Nehomogenní kosmologické modely

In this work we study inhomogeneous cosmological models. After a brief review of applications of inhomogeneous solutions to Einstein equations in cosmology, we give a short description of the most widely used inhomogeneous cosmological models. In the second chapter we study in detail geometrical prop- erties of the Szekeres spacetime and we are concerned with the interpretation of the metric functions in different types of geometries. In the last chapter we model inhomogeneity in Szekeres spacetime. We derive formula for the density contrast and investigate its behaviour. We also derive conditions for the density extremes that are necessary for avoiding the shell crossing singularity in Szekeres spacetime. 1V této práci studujeme nehomogenní kosmologické modely. Po stručném přehledu využití nehomogeních řešení Einsteinových rovnic v kosmologii krátce popíšeme ty nejpoužívanější z nich. Ve druhé kapitole studujeme detailně geometrické vlastnosti Szekeresova prostoročasu a zabýváme se interpretací met- rických funkcí v jednotlivých typech geometrií. V poslední kapitole modelujeme nehomogenitu v Szekeresově prostoročase. Odvodíme analytický vztah pro kon- trast hustoty a zkoumáme jeho vlastnosti. Odvodíme také podmínky pro extrémy hustoty, které musí být splněny, aby nedošlo k tzv. shell-crossingové singularitě. 1Ústav teoretické fyzikyInstitute of Theoretical PhysicsFaculty of Mathematics and PhysicsMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Human extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains differ in prevalence of virulence factors, phylogroups, and bacteriocin determinants

Table S4. Differences in the distribution of virulence factors, E. coli phylogroups, bacteriocin production, and bacteriocin determinants between subgroups of ExPEC strains and fecal strains. (XLSX 14 kb

Assessment of the thermal tissue models for the head and neck hyperthermia treatment planning

Purpose: To compare different thermal tissue models for head and neck hyperthermia treatment planning, and to assess the results using predicted and measured applied power data from clinical treatments. Methods: Three commonly used temperature models from literature were analysed: “constant baseline”, “constant thermal stress” and “temperature dependent”. Power and phase data of 93 treatments of 20 head and neck patients treated with the HYPERcollar3D applicator were used. The impact on predicted median temperature T50 inside the target region was analysed with maximum allowed temperature of 44 °C in healthy tissue. The robustness of predicted T50 for the three models against the influence of blood perfusion, thermal conductivity and the assumed hotspot temperature level was analysed. Results: We found an average predicted T50 of 41.0 ± 1.3 °C (constant baseline model), 39.9 ± 1.1 °C (constant thermal stress model) and 41.7 ± 1.1 °C (temperature dependent model). The constant thermal stress model resulted in the best agreement between the predicted power (P = 132.7 ± 45.9 W) and the average power measured during the hyperthermia treatments (P = 129.1 ± 83.0 W). Conclusion: The temperature dependent model predicts an unrealistically high T50. The power values for the constant thermal stress model, after scaling simulated maximum temperatures to 44 °C, matched best to the average measured powers. We consider this model to be the most appropriate for temperature predictions using the HYPERcollar3D applicator, however further studies are necessary for developing of robust temperature model for tissues during heat stress.</p

Focused ultrasound for treatment of bone tumours.

PURPOSE: Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a modality with rapidly expanding applications across the field of medicine. Treatment of bone lesions with FUS including both benign and malignant tumours has been an active area of investigation. Recently, as a result of a successful phase III trial, magnetic resonance-guided FUS is now a standardised option for treatment of painful bone metastases. This report reviews the clinical applications amenable to treatment with FUS and provides background on FUS and image guidance techniques, results of clinical studies, and future directions. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search and review of abstracts presented at the recently completed fourth International Focused Ultrasound Symposium was performed. Case reports and older publications revisited in more recent studies were excluded. For clinical studies that extend beyond bone tumours, only the data regarding bone tumours are presented. RESULTS: Fifteen studies assessing the use of focused ultrasound in treatment of primary benign bone tumours, primary malignant tumours, and metastatic tumours meeting the search criteria were identified. For these clinical studies the responders group varied within 91-100%, 85-87% and 64-94%, respectively. Major complications were reported in the ranges 0%, 0-28% and 0-4% for primary benign, malignant and metastatic tumours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided FUS is both safe and effective in the treatment of primary and secondary tumours. Additional phase III trials are warranted to more fully define the role of FUS in treatment of both benign and malignant bone tumours

Second-Order Multifunction Filter with Fully Differential Current Follower

Abstract This paper describes the design of a multifunction biquad filter that can provide multiple transfer functions according to the input and output current ports selected. The filter design is based on a general circuit with five passive elements (three of them are grounded) and one fully differential current follower. This versatile building block is ready to be manufactured by the ON Semiconductor Company and is expected to have impedance and transfer parameters close to the ideal ones in a wide frequency range. The functionality of the filter designed was verified by computer simulation and experimental measurement. The influence of real properties of the active element on the filter characteristics was ascertained