title: PC-aided assessment of the thermal performances of a MW applicator for oncological hyperthermia.
abstract: The thermal performances of an MW oncological hyperthermic (OH) system have been assessed with a PC-aided procedure. Measurements were performed on a muscle-equivalent phantom. Between the applicator and the phantom a water bolus was interposed which, to simulate real OH treatments, could be connected to a forced cooling water circulation system. Direct thermal measurements of temperatures and SAR (using the 'short pulse technique') and simulation by numerical modelling were performed, both aiming at describing the 3-D thermal field inside the phantom. Accuracy and manageability of the automated procedure proved suitable for characterization and quality assurance of MW applicators in clinical hyperthermia and encourage further efforts towards the development of computerized treatment simulations in OH.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Department, Physiology Section, University of Torino and INFM, C. Raffaello 30, 30-10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guiot
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baiotto
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gabriele
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013696:Temperature