Variations in the design of a helical tip microwave antenna for hyperthermia

Abstract

Several design variations were tested in Guy muscle equivalent phantom. A phantom experiment was set up to measure power deposition at 221 or 425 points in the plane of a single antenna or pair of antennas. Antennas were constructed and tested with different helical designs. Antennas with helical-tip vs. helical-junction connections were compared. Oppositely wound pairs were tested and compared with identically wound helixes. The effect of a large junction gap was investigated. A dual-density winding antenna was tested to improve power deposition. All antennas were tested singly and in pairs to gauge interaction. The control antennas were Dartmouth dipoles used in clinical hyperthermia. Finally, actual human temperature data are shown and compared to power deposition patterns. Clinical implications for the antenna array data are discussed.<>